Is your definition of success flexible?

Being flexible is not the same thing as moving the goalposts.  We set high expectations for ourselves because we’re dedicated to improving and delivering; however, not every misstep is a complete failure.

This week, we had someone approach us about a policy. Unfortunately, we weren’t the best fit for this person’s needs. This very rarely happens, and it was hard for me to accept. In my position here at G5, I define success as providing a client with the insurance policy that best meets their needs for the most efficient price possible. When I realized that I may not be able to do that in-house for this client, I felt like I failed.

I was able to provide her with the coverage she needed, but the price was just a little higher than I was comfortable with recommending. The only way to get her price point where it should be was to compromise coverage, and we just don’t do that here. I was caught off guard because I don’t run into this situation often, but I knew I needed to adjust to do right by the client.

So, we made a call to another agency in the client’s home state and asked if he would be able to help. After brainstorming with the team, we thought he may have access to a different variety of markets than we do, so it would be worth asking him. The other agent did some research, and he was able to provide great coverage for a price that would be much more fair to the client. We introduced the client to this agent, and she was able to secure the policy she needed at a great price. I felt like an awful salesperson, but by changing my definition of success I was able to leave work that day feeling alright.

I may not have made the sale here at G5, but I wouldn’t necessarily call this a failure. Though I would’ve loved to work with this client, I still assisted with providing her the best policy to meet her needs and budget. Not a failure, just a different type of success. Remember to be flexible