Paul: Mathew, what’s your biggest piece of advice for people trying to add value in any capacity?

Mathew: The number one piece of advice is to listen. A lot of people try to add value right from the start—they assume they know the client’s or person’s needs and figure they have the solution. They go in and keep offering what they perceive to be valuable without taking the time to ask questions and listen to the person, whether it’s a prospective client, customer, boss, mentor, or anyone else. Without listening and asking questions to find out what they really perceive as valuable, you’re missing the mark. So, my first and most important piece of advice for anyone looking to add value is to listen.