What We Can All Learn From Female Doctors

I heard a story on the radio the other day about how patients under the care of female doctors generally had stronger recoveries and less chance of a return visit or death following care. What was interesting was the reasons attributed to the male/female variance by doctors familiar with the study: Emotional Intelligence.

“I’m assuming the difference is because of the way that women, in general, communicate. It’s about being better listeners, more nurturing and having emotional intelligence…this study shows us — just possibly — that if female doctors, on average, communicate better, their style might be more effective in treating disease and preventing death.”

-Dr. Sarah-Anne Henning Schumann

As I drove, I thought about how closely aligned that description was with customer service. Customers who are ‘cared for’ have ‘healthier’ relationships with the businesses they visit. I’ve seen both great emotional intelligence and also some terrible levels of awareness in retailers over the years. Truthfully, this extends into humanity in general, too!

Simply, it seems to come back to the golden rule: “Treat others how you would want to be treated.” The most basic aspect of empathy and emotional intelligence! How do you treat your closest friends? How do they treat you?  THAT is how to treat your customers.

There are countless articles from all manner of sources on how to greet, assist and sell to customers who walk in. Foot traffic for most retailers is NOT increasing, so it makes lots of sense to provide a great, personalized experience for those customers who do walk in.

I decided my next post will be a very short, very easy set of tips an outdoor retailer can follow to ensure that their customers are being led to a great experience at their location.

I wish you all the best this winter, my friends. Celebrate that which is good in your life and double-down on anything that isn’t.