Details are my bumblebees. I’m not great at dealing with them, but if I’m walking through the park, I’m aware that they’re a necessary part of the environment.
Details create an easier experience.
I overcame my resistance to details once I learned how useful they are. For example, I know which of my hiring managers will respond to each question in an email with multiple questions of their own, and who needs each important item addressed in its own separate email. The more details I can take care of for my hiring managers (i.e., sending a calendar invitation with all the information included) adds to making their lives easier—and their perception of the value I bring.
Details can help you close the deal.
When talking to a candidate about an opportunity, I always ask about their personal reasons for making a job change. Having those details handy helps me remind the candidate later, when putting a job offer in perspective with their goals.
Details bring insight.
Little details need space to come forward. Just like being on a date, the person in a meeting who does most of the talking usually feels that it went better than the quieter person does. I stay focused on being the active listener, holding space open for the manager to share his or her thoughts.
Because I tend to be intuitive, I often pick up on unspoken details, like the tone of someone’s voice that hints that two people are not performing. For me, that’s an alert for a hiring opportunity.
Sometimes the revealing detail can be body language. It helps the client feel connected with me if I can reflect their same energy; for example, whether I sit poised on the edge of my seat or am more relaxed. It’s interesting how adopting their energy helps you put yourself in their shoes.
Here’s to saving the bees.