Shy Cheffers... I Need Your Help!!!

[AJPratt]

So, I guess you can all imagine that I'm not shy. The tough thing is, I have a new consultant who is very awkward and very shy. I don't want to come off mean, because I adore this girl, but I want to give you and honest description so you can possibly help me. For example, at one expo, where we always try to get people to fill out entries, I kept encouraging her. I was very proud that she was there at all. She sees a lady come near, I can see her working up her courage and then lunges at the lady and blurts out: "Do you want something free!?" The woman looked at her like a nut, giving her a weird look, and kept on going. I thought that was rude of the lady, but whatever. So... what can I do to help? I can't pretend to know what she's going through because I'm just not shy. Please help. I don't want her to be discouraged and I want to be able to help her be successful. I want this to be a good thing for her because I really think she needs it.

 

[tlennhoff]

Have her practice a lot with you, with others in your cluster, and with friends and family. The more she practices the more comfortable she will get. Yes I really do mean walking up to people at cluster meetings and saying "would you like to get free kitchen products". Prep the cluster people to give her different responses from positive to "blah" to negative. Find other events where you can go with her to be "back up" so she can work on the hook and then hand them over to you at first. I

 

[soonerchef]

I would also make sure that she has "scripts". That is what I did with a consultant of mine that was the same way, I gave her scripts (that are long gone...the computer they were on died) and she memorized them. Once she used those scripts she learned how and what to say and eventually came out of her shell and began to use her own words.

 

[soccermama]

At cluster meetings, does your team ever do "role playing"? This is a great way to get shy consultants to open up a bit. Let her know before the meeting what you'd like her to do, and set her up with a more seasoned consultant as her role playing partner to come up with dialogue.

Good Luck!

 

[crystalscookingnow]

I agree with the role playing..... But, as someone who is shy myself, I'm not comfortable with role playing. In my mind, it just seems so silly. Is there anyway you can talk with her about what she sees her own trouble areas as? That way you're not the one deciding what she needs to change/focus on, she is. Just an idea.

 

[AJPratt]

My new consultant has been doing this since June. She has done two shows (very small) and submitted one huge personal order. She still has to qualify. She has nothing on her calendar. She has had people told her that they want to do shows, but she won't follow up. I have given her some scripts but I don't know if she has used them. I ask her if she has tried them and I get strange answers. She hasn't been to a show. I have tried to get her to my shows or anyone's in my area. Her job (Shoprite) has unpredictable hours. She talks herself out of everything. She seems like she quits before she even gets started. I have spent a lot of time with her and so has my director. We come up with lists of things to do, that she says she's comfrotable with doing and then she either loses that list or doesn't do anything. She is very young, and lives with her Dad, but I just can't reach her.

 

[soonerchef]

It sounds like she hasn't found anything to motivate her...she doesn't have that "thing" to make her get going. Have you tried finding what her "thing" might be and stressing that?

 

[crystalscookingnow]

The girl that signed up with me on the 24th is the same way. She is 22 & still lives at home. Maybe this is an age thing? Anyway, I do know what you're feeling.... Knowing that someone would do so well at something & then they aren't as motivated. My recruit is so difficult to read sometimes, but I know that she'll do well. She called last night to ask some questions, so at least I know that she's trying & will contact me if she needs help. It sounds like she just needs to see that this will benefit her & get motivated, like Andrea said!

 

[lacychef]

Yes, Anne, I can't imagine you being shy I was really shy in school, I'd gotten a little better in college. But this has helped me soooo much. Just getting up there in front of people, teaching them new things is exciting to me. I used to get so nervous, but I really don't anymore. Let her know just fake it 'till she makes it! That's the motto I went by in the beginning. Now I have so much more confidence in myself that I love being up there in front of the crowd! Just help her keep motivated, that does help too!

 

[AJPratt]

It sounds like she hasn't found anything to motivate her...she doesn't have that "thing" to make her get going. Have you tried finding what her "thing" might be and stressing that?

She has lots of "things": wanting to quit her job, going to college FT, money, free stuff... she just can't seem to get out of her own way.

crystalscookingnow: Maybe it is an age thing... I have trouble relating to that, I was married with a house by 21.

I just try to lend support where needed.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

I agree, I was married with a house & all of the responsibilities that go with it at 19.

 

[AJPratt]

Its just tough for me to relate. I'm glad I'm not alone.