Ideas That Matter: Comfort Zones

Some consultants are uncomfortable with selling or with client relationship building, and would rather just do project work. But staying in your comfort zone is actually risky.

I agree with Harry Beckwith, author of Selling the Invisible and What Clients Love. In a Management Consulting News interview, Beckwith points out the relationship between comfort and complacency:

"...comfort nudges us dangerously close to complacency, and nothing good comes from that. It kills businesses, dulls lives, and encourages nothing better than ordinary. Our greatest blessings come from people who refused to be complacent, whether it was Beethoven or the Beatles."

Are there one or two activities that could boost the performance of your practice, but you hesitate because it's uncomfortable? Give them a try.

Comments

[IT Consulting]

I guess I don't see what relevance this has to IT consulting, but I can say that from a logical perspective these skills can be transferred over into the IT industry.

[Steven Weisenburger]

I must say having the courage to overcome my fear and move out of my comfort zone has provided the biggest successes of my life.

I remember being backstage just before I spoke to an audience of 3,000 people -- a big jump from 150! I was wwwaaaaaayyyyyyy out of my comfort zone, but pushing through brought big rewards.

[FERGUS O'ROURKE]

There is too much unfavourable reference to comfort zones. (Generally, I mean, not here specifically).I agree that occasional, even regular, venturing outside one's comfort zone(s)is essential. But IMHO a creative tension between complacency and concern is the objective.