9 Questions that Changed a Man's Life, and the Life of His Family

One “Chance” Encounter Like This Changed a Family’s Life and Destiny. . . Forever

How 9 Sales Questions Changed Patrick’s Life. . .

Someone once said, “questions are the answers.” And knowingly, questions, coming from a heart of service can not only open up great opportunities, but change lives. . . forever. This is a true story, of a so-called “chance” event.

The question came via one of our small tributaries. The answers changed the course of a life… and his family.

from ===> http://www.askbrentlong.com

Patrick had submitted a question via www.askbrentlong.com. He was wanting to know “What are the first steps to move a faltering ‘mom and pop’ organization successfully to the next level?” He had just been hired away from another position to come on board this “struggling” organization and lead it into a successful future. When he innocently (& bravely) submitted his question (to an almost complete stranger) I knew he had to be serious about looking for help.

As is generally our approach we responded to his question with three questions of our own. These were simply automated response questions simply designed to get the dialogue going… but this time was different. The auto responder didn’t work… and we both got more than we bargained for.

Patrick had been in his previous position a number of years. In that position, he had benefited from the services of the new “struggling” organization in very personal ways. He believed in their services. He possessed the skills necessary to help them grow. They needed his leadership. On the surface everything looked like a fit. But the questions we are generally given to ask are not surface-level questions. Nope. The questions we ask are designed to go deep – deep into the heart – where the seeds of growth & change & performance & results are often held dormant. Not any more!

Since the autoresponder didn’t work I started to type the three questions manually. These questions are designed to uncover whatever they can while we also invest some time searching for and praying for the Best Practices answers we can find to bring back. But something happened… I sensed that there were several other questions that we needed to ask Patrick right away. It was as if these questions just came to me out of thin air… so I asked them.

Long story short – Patrick moved his family across the country to do something God put on his heart years earlier through a friend’s invitation. These questions caused him to examine his heart and discover many things hidden beneath the surface that opened him up to where God truly wanted him. Had he stayed in his “new” position, he would have made the biggest mistake of his professional career. But God had other plans for him…

So what where the questions?

Below is the text from the actual email… I pray it speaks to you and serves you well.

“What a privilege to receive your question. By the Grace of God, we have been given insight into some of History's most powerful growth principles. I pray we will be able to provide some wise counsel...

There are three questions we normally ask that I feel compelled to insert here...

1) In what do you place your beliefs?

2) On what do you base your performance?

3) By what standards will you know if you are successful?

Simply having answers to these three questions can start the process of growth and discovery you might be missing.

In exploring your question... "What are the first steps to move a faltering "mom and pop" organization successfully to the next level?" ... here are a few questions that might help get the process started...

Do you know yet what is causing the faltering?

When you prayed and asked God to reveal to you what might be happening that you can't see right now, how did He answer?

What is the big Vision God has given you for the organization?

How do you know it is/was from God?

What are you wanting to do or offer right now that you are not able to do or offer?

What community (people group) do you serve?

What are their needs?

I believe these questions can be used to unlock and/or reveal some hidden answers that will start to change your course. I pray for God's favor and revelation to you. I ask the Lord to overwhelm you with His Power and His Provision that your organization might become exactly what He originally intended for it to be. He can breathe new life into what He has called you to do.

Please feel free to ask more specific questions as you are comfortable. Until next time...

Be Long on Life!

Brent E. Long
Long on Life
(614) 746-4334
brent@longonlife.com”

==========================
So- What are your answers?
==========================

You can tell us here by logging in, creating an account, or
by giving us your response or additional questions here

===> www.askbrentlong.com

Questions can sometimes change lives.