I can’t guarantee that you will like the taste of your watermelon. I also can’t guarantee your results with our services. But I will take radical responsibility for them.
We can do everything in our power to grow them the best we can.
The weather can cooperate.
We can inspect them and pick them up when all the indicators show they’re ripe.
We can do the thump test to make sure they’re not overripe.
But you can’t tell how much sweetness is in a melon until you cut it open.
And even if they are all showing greater than a 9% Brix reading (that’s very sweet) there’s no guarantee you’re going to like the taste.
Last year, my dad refused to sell watermelons. Too much rain late in the season caused them to swell up, dilute the sugar, and basically not be up to his standard.
We eventually convinced him to allow people to come to pick their own for $1.
People said they were fine, as good as what was in the store.
But dad knew people weren’t expecting a “store” quality melon.
They were expecting a farm-fresh experience of cutting into a monster melon and being able to just smell how sweet it was.
Dad was willing to let a whole crop go because he understands sustainability.
That folks that drove all the way out and left disappointed wouldn’t make the trip again.
This year, some new folks on the harvesting team picked a few under-ripe ones.
We replaced them. No questions.
And even if someone had what by all means should be a fine-tasting watermelon, but they didn’t like it, we’ll replace that, too.
People generally understand that there are no guarantees in life. Everything comes with some risk. They have to do their part.
But people are often sold on expectations that are not met.
They’re buying an intended result.
And if you’re not prepared to take radical responsibility for delivering that result, you need to change what you’re selling.
Or, at least how you’re positioning it.
That may mean that thing that you could sell… you don’t.
Yes, there will absolutely be people that have unrealistic expectations.
But it’s your job to weed them out early. Manage expectations. Define what’s in the scope.
And if at some point you are dealing with a situation where you can’t deliver on the expectation that was given, you do your best to make it right.
You don’t blame and shame the client. Part of what they’re paying you for is to let them know when they’re off course.
That can be frustrating, but ultimately, it’s better to be known as imperfect but trustworthy, rather than shady and full of BS.
Take radical responsibility for your clients’ results.
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t even have to always deliver. You just have to be willing to always make it right.
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