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- The Question Before Credentials
The Question Before Credentials
He asked about the father’s health before the forecast. The room relaxed; the numbers followed.
The Story
In Abu Dhabi, a young banker opened a review with a kind check-in about the chairman’s father, who’d been ill. Two minutes of sincere concern softened the atmosphere. The subsequent risk update - identical to last quarter’s - landed with far less resistance.
Cultural Principle
Care precedes credibility. In the GCC, relationship signals - health, family, recent travels -prime the mind for tougher conversations.
Takeaway
Begin meetings with a genuine human question. Keep it brief, heartfelt, and specific; then transition gracefully to business.
With insight,
Taqua