Ep9 – “This Doesn't Leave the Chair” – with professional stylist, Cadie King

Empathy Podcast

Successful hairstylists and barbers are experts at their craft and in, wait for it… – human connection.

Paying a barber or hairstylist to cut, color, or trim one’s hair is something most of us have experienced. If you were to look past the primary objective of getting a nice hair-do, the concerns that arise with choosing the right stylist or barber can be quite daunting. You could ask yourself, “are they professional? Are they pleasant and fun to be around? Are they a good listener?

These key human traits are what help us develop good and lasting relationships in general, and for many, play a big role in the client and hairstylist relationship. Many times the stylists and barbers take on a special role that goes beyond making our hair look good.

Through in-chair conversations, deep listening, and the familiarity that develops over time, professionals like Cadie King, build trust through open and honest communication with their clients. It takes time to hone the craft of an expert stylist through training, building knowledge, and skills and experience. To create and maintain the fidelity and loyalty that Cadie’s has with her clients, it takes patience, kindness, listening, honesty, and strong communication skills, all the foundational principles of empathy. Like a good therapist, "what is said in the chair, stays in the chair."