What's in your professional toolbox?

Bullshit!

In doing business at an executive level, there are many people who start to reach out to you with ‘the next best thing.’ At lower levels, I could talk all day about the importance of good communication. However, at higher levels, it’s more and more critical to know when to spot bullshit.

This is a skill that no one tells you about. They’ll write it off as something that comes with experience, and while it does, you do not want to get caught in something messy.

How do you spot bullshit?

1. Do not react impulsively. Take the time to analyze the situation and see if anything doesn’t feel right in your gut. Trust your gut.

2. Did the message seem like it came from a real person? Not only do you need to watch out for AI messaging these days but watch out for being ‘pitch-slapped’. Better, faster, cheaper, yada, yada, yada, bye.

3. Is this something you even really need? What’s in it for you? Yes, what they offer is amazing, but why buy an electric hammer when the one you’ve been using for 20 years works just fine?

4. Is this a company you’ve heard of or someone you know? Research thoroughly. Check for references. Ask the hard questions about quality, tools, processes, people.

5. Who are their competitors? Which is better? Everyone is going to say they’re better than everyone else. Form your own opinion.

Always take your time. It’s easier to spot bullshit as the story starts to unravel or the person gets shifty. Once you know it’s bullshit, use it to your advantage, call them on it, or just end the conversation.

Even if the offer itself is not bullshit, you need to maintain your own poker face. You can likely get a better deal if you are not interested, or you can explain why they need you more than you need them.

Bullshit happens.

In a world where we all need something from each other to get by, you are bound to step in something along the way. Don’t sign on the dotted line until you know what you’re agreeing to and how to get out of it.