In this episode of "Process to Profitability," I had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Whyte, an expert in business etiquette and building authentic connections. Michelle shared valuable insights on how entrepreneurs can navigate challenging collaborations and maintain their brand reputation. We discussed the importance of addressing behavior rather than blaming the person involved, separating facts from feelings, and finding win-win solutions. Michelle emphasized the need to protect and advocate for our businesses while maintaining calmness and consideration in difficult conversations. She offered practical tips on handling sticky situations, such as taking a moment to honor our feelings before responding and addressing issues privately. It was a thought-provoking conversation that left us empowered to handle difficult collaborations with grace and professionalism.

Timestamps:

[00:01:31]Meet Michelle

[00:03:51] Michelle's transition from wedding planning to working with entrepreneurs

[00:04:23] Doing business is social

[00:07:06] Navigating sticky situations in your business

[00:08:39] Why challenging situations in business so hard to navigate

[00:10:38] Separating fact from feelings in dealing with challenging situations

[00:15:16] Your response will cement your business reputation

[00:16:06] How to craft a response to a challenging situation

[00:22:37] Composing your response

[00:26:49] Don't make assumptions about someone else

[00:29:23] Connect with Michelle

Key Topics:

• Handling difficult situations in your business with grace

• Applying social skills to business relationships for success

• Importance of addressing behavior, not blaming the person involved

• Setting boundaries and negotiating win-win solutions

• Taking social situations offline to minimize miscommunications

• Using email for basic information and video chats for complex discussions

• Prioritizing facts over feelings for effective problem-solving.

Resources:

• Michelle’s Website

• Michelle’s Instagram

• Ettiquete for Entrepreneurs