What can every thought leader learn from a taxi driver?

Transcript

Hi there, it’s Peter Winick. I’m the Founder and CEO at Thought Leadership Leverage, and here’s the idea that I’d like to share with you today—and that’s this:

What is it that authors, thought leaders, advisors, consultants, coaches, etc., can learn from taxicab drivers?

That’s an interesting question—or so I think.

Well, what we could learn from them is this: When you get into a cab, the first thing the cabbie does—after grunting at you, or maybe simultaneously while grunting at you—is hit the meter. The meter starts.

Then they’re going to ask you where you’re going. Then they might ask if you have a preference in terms of how you’d like to get there. But what they know is: as soon as you get in the cab, you’ve engaged with them. You’re paying for them. They’re going to perform a service, and you’re going to pay them the rate that’s posted for that task.

There’s no:

“Can you drive me around the block once?”
“Let me see if you’re a good driver.”
“Let me ask you a few questions about your experience being a taxicab driver…”

What I find that we can learn from this is that far too often, as thought leaders, authors, experts, and such, we spend too much time convincing clients, or giving away value, or engaging in conversations without the meter being hit, before we are able to hit the meter.

If you’ve got the goods—if you’ve got the credibility, the gravitas, and such—you need to be clear as to where that line is with your potential clients. Because, of course, they’re always going to want to engage with you. You’ve got insight to give them and value to give them at every interaction.

But at some point, you have to have a system or process in place that says:

“Okay, now we’re moving into the part where you’re hiring me. And when you’re hiring me, here’s what that looks like, here’s what it’s going to cost, and here’s what I’m going to do.”

So anyway, love to hear your thoughts on what you could learn from a taxi driver.