So I am about 1 1/2 years into my new career as an insurance agent. And on several different occasions now I have come to a point in my relationships with my clients where I find my self saying "I want to build these relationships, but I want remain professional at the same time, and still, I do not want to become emotionally attached to these people."
The reason why I want keep the emotion out of it are two-fold:
1) This is business. Emotion does not belong in any business decisions. Emotion just clouds judgement. (to be clear I mean on our behalf, not the clients behalf. I understand it is our job to stir up emotion during a sale)
2) As I am significantly younger than the target market I work (the medicare crowd) I am sure I will see all of my clientele at some point die off. Keeping the emotion out of it, is also just to keep me sane.
So, the reason I bring this up is, one of my clients became a widow this weekend. I feel the human thing is to send my condolences (maybe send flowers, or call her?) But at the same time, if I did this, it would be breaking my rules. But, if I did, I feel it would be a great way to continue building the relationship.
So I ask the veteran professionals here, how do yall deal with situations like this? Do yall allow yourselves to get emotionally attached to your clients, or do you have a strict rule to keep it as much of a business relationship as possible, and let them deal with personal stuff on their own?
-On a side note: she is a medicare client of mine, and that is it. no life insurance is involved. And he (the now deceased) did not have a policy with me.
The reason why I want keep the emotion out of it are two-fold:
1) This is business. Emotion does not belong in any business decisions. Emotion just clouds judgement. (to be clear I mean on our behalf, not the clients behalf. I understand it is our job to stir up emotion during a sale)
2) As I am significantly younger than the target market I work (the medicare crowd) I am sure I will see all of my clientele at some point die off. Keeping the emotion out of it, is also just to keep me sane.
So, the reason I bring this up is, one of my clients became a widow this weekend. I feel the human thing is to send my condolences (maybe send flowers, or call her?) But at the same time, if I did this, it would be breaking my rules. But, if I did, I feel it would be a great way to continue building the relationship.
So I ask the veteran professionals here, how do yall deal with situations like this? Do yall allow yourselves to get emotionally attached to your clients, or do you have a strict rule to keep it as much of a business relationship as possible, and let them deal with personal stuff on their own?
-On a side note: she is a medicare client of mine, and that is it. no life insurance is involved. And he (the now deceased) did not have a policy with me.