‘I’m a Visual Person’

Recently, as a client, a contractor commented to us that he is a visual person. This made sense as his memory for items discussed to get to completion seemed sketchy at best.

If your work style is about making lists and checking them off when completed, be sure your client understands this. If they are not a list person and more or less take things as they come, best to identify this upfront in the relationship. Expectations can be managed with different styles but you do need to understand thee preferences of your client or your team’s consultants.

An architect that was working with the contractor mentioned above was providing him with detailed photos, complete with footnotes and arrows. He came clean that he is a visual person and needs to meet in person and see exactly what needs to be completed. Photos and texts and conversations are not the way he learns or processes. And he does very good work. So, understanding his style preference in communicating goals and objectives is really key here.

The next time you meet with a prospect or a client or bring on a new employee or consultant, make sure to inquire how they prefer to communicate. In today’s digital world, some people prefer to never see people in person while others need old fashion face to face meetings. And, this is not about age, said contractor is in his mid thirties!

Discussing preferred communication methods upfront will ensure your business will not be sidetracked by lack of understanding between the parties. Plan accordingly and visualize a successful outcome.

Be well.