Kalika Sharma: I've got a meeting with someone I've been wanting to connect with from Adobe, about potentially helping them spread the word about After Effects new features. I'm so nervous! I want to make sure I'm asking the right questions so that I can learn the most about their situation & offer up the right kinds of solutions.

• Reduce the dread and fear by reframing the stakes of the conversation. You’re understanding the problem, clarifying the real disconnect, and exploring what success could look like together.
• Define the problem first. Make sure you’re both talking about the same communication gap before offering ideas or solutions.
• Focus on the end result, not solutions. Ask what it looks like when this works so you can reverse engineer meaningful ways to help and offer solutions.
• Shift from fear to service. You’re not selling yourself, you’re asking how you can help after everything they’ve already built.
• Anchor in genuine appreciation. You share how their work impacted your life and career to build trust and connection.

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