Business Lesson From The Princess Bride
by BobTheTeacher · Filed Under: Bob The Teacher Training · Business Building · Business Mentoring · Questions
One of my favorite movies of all time is The Princess Bride, which I watched this past weekend for the 583rd time (warning: may be a slight exaggeration).
And one of my favorite verbal exchanges in the film is when Inigo and the Man in Black are engaged in a ‘mighty duel’ that ‘ranged all over’. The part that triggered today’s lesson is this:
Man in Black (Roberts/Westley): “Why are you smiling?”
Inigo Montoya: “I know something you do not know!”
Man in Black: “And what is that?”
Inigo: “I’m not really left handed!”
The inspiration within this exchange lies at the cornerstone of a successful coaching, consulting, or information publishing business.
When it comes to my own business I often find myself thinking of this line, and smiling: “I know something you do not know!” And that’s because I absolutely love answering questions that help people at the exact point in time it will matter most to them. And I find it very rewarding to be able to impact a person’s life and business as they come across a gap that I can help them fill.
If you’re a coach, consultant, or information publisher you should be smiling too. Because clients are coming to you with questions that you are uniquely qualified to answer.
Embrace that fact, smile, and enjoy the rewards (both intrinsic and monetary) of being an Answer Maven for your audience.
If you’d like to get clear, actionable answers to your business growth and internet marketing questions, check out my Diamond Group Mentoring program. Members benefit from exclusive sessions to get their questions answered while also learning from the questions of others. We do those virtual meetups two times every month. Plus as a member, you get access to all my basic and intermediate online courses, on-demand. These show you step-by-step how to attract better clients and increase your cash flow by effectively marketing your business online.
Check it out today; our next mentoring session is coming up quickly!
And be sure to leave a comment below. I’d love to hear how you use what you know (that others don’t) in your business.
Bob Jenkins
p.s. It could be easy to fall into a trap of thinking “I’m better than you”, or coming across as bragging. Both of these will put off your potential clients. For me, I make sure to acknowledge the wisdom and brilliance of my clients in the areas of their strengths, and to teach in a way that gives them a new level of knowledge they can smile about, too.
5 Responses to “Business Lesson From The Princess Bride”
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| Bob Jenkins is an internet business marketing teacher, with ten years experience teaching teenagers and teachers. He is the creator of several online training courses that teach you how to get better customers and increase your profits. Specializing in social networking strategies for business and creating information products from teleseminars, Bob can help you use internet marketing tools and strategies to promote your business online. |
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As usual, Bob, you are right on. I love it when clients ask questions. It warms my heart to have the answers.
I also love it when they ask questions I do not have an answer to for one of two reasons: Either it gives me the opportunity to research and learn something new, or it gives me the opportunity to invent something to solve a problem I didn’t know needed solving. Either way it is a win for both the client and myself. I really like your attitude, Bossman.
BTW, Princess Bride is soooo one of my absolute favorite movies. I just shared it with my grandkids this past week and was tickled with how much THEY enjoyed it. It is a true classic.
Hi Bob,
The Princess Bride is my favorite movie of all time and I watch it at least once a year. Funny … did a very similar thing as you did here awhile back. You might get a kick out of it: http://www.womens-business-gallery.com/featured/lessons-from-the-princess-bride.
That movie is filled with hidden knowledge in plain site. :-)
Sicilian: “Inconceivable!”
Inigo: “You keep using that word…I do not think it means what you think it means…”
;-)
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
(my fave Princess Bride line!)
Great post btw.
:-)
Where is the “like” button for individual replies? Lon gets one, Nancy gets one…
Fun movie.
Awesome lesson. We all know something others do not know. Making a successful business out of that knowledge is what makes us entrepreneurs — and you’re one of the best!!