9 Best Customer Service Qualities Your Small Business Should Adopt

In business, you know that the best customer service is the key to winning customers’ hearts. After all, quality help can be challenging to find these days, and all customers want is a simple solution to their problem. Yet, many employees may find it difficult to understand what good customer service means. 

Typically, it’s because they need more training in their role and are missing one of the important qualities necessary to meet customer expectations. To provide the best customer service, adopting these skills will ensure you meet this goal.

1. Attentiveness

When a customer has an issue, the support rep must give them their undivided attention. This is one of the best customer service qualities to have because an attentive employee can hear and comprehend a customer’s concerns. This level of awareness allows for personalized responses, ensuring each interaction is meaningful and productive.

To ensure your employees possess attentiveness is being present. Customer service reps should look customers in the eye and maintain that contact while holding a conversation. They should keep themselves from looking distracted so they provide a promising solution and a memorable service experience.

2. Empathy

Empathy is more than understanding a customer’s feelings — it’s about truly feeling what they feel. This quality allows customer support agents to build meaningful connections with customers as they acknowledge their emotions. From happiness and frustration to disappointment, your employees should be stepping into the customer’s shoes to understand how to provide the best customer service.

Employees who seek to practice empathy should ask open-ended questions. This allows the customer to fully express themselves, giving a clearer picture of their emotional state and needs. After understanding their concerns, they should reflect and respond by framing them to ensure the customer is heard.

3. Compassion

Compassion in customer service requires you to go a step further than empathy. While empathy connects with a customer’s feelings, a deep understanding involves a desire to alleviate stress. Your team must showcase actual concern and a willingness to assist, no matter the circumstance.

When a customer approaches a problem, a compassionate employee sees beyond the transactional nature of the interaction. They recognize the human element is crucial and have more compassion by putting their judgment aside.

Every customer is unique, and they approach each one without preconceived notions. They give every individual the respect and understanding they deserve. They also go the extra mile when possible. Even small gestures have a significant impact when offering assistance.

4. Patience

Patience is a key necessity in customer service. When customers approach businesses with an issue, emotions can run high along with their number of questions. At times, these moments may become frustrating for the customer service rep. However, a patient employee is the anchor that offers a steady presence amidst the chaos.

Customers who are frustrated or confused seek clarity and solutions. Therefore, rushing through these interactions may lead to miscommunication and further escalate the situation. To cultivate patience, agents should take a second to breathe and recenter themselves to respond calmly. Additionally, they should learn from their experiences and refine their patience by asking for feedback through surveys.

5. Optimism

Optimism in customer service is critical because it guides interactions toward constructive resolutions. An optimistic employee approaches challenges with a positive attitude. As a result of spreading this positivity, they believe in the possibility of favorable outcomes. From there, they make it more likely to come true. 

Aside from creating better resolutions, they also make the customer feel at ease. This is because it produces an environment where the customer feels comfortable, even in the face of uncertainty. To instill optimism, regularly reminding yourself of past successes is important. Doing so shows your impact in your role and instills confidence to keep trying.

6. Honesty

Honesty is always the best policy because it’s the foundation of building lasting customer relationships. In customer service, honesty ensures transparent and trustworthy interactions. When someone instills this feeling between themselves and the person they’re helping, the customer feels they can rely on them in the future. 

They also trust they receive accurate information, making them more likely to feel valued and respected. When customers feel valued, 95% of consumers say they’ll keep doing business with a company.

To uphold honesty, you must first acknowledge your limitations. You may not always have the answer, and that’s ok. Yet, you should be sure to admit this to the customer but reassure them that you’re committed to finding the best possible solution. 

Another way to be honest is by avoiding overpromises. Consistently set realistic expectations for the customers. It’s always better to pleasantly surprise them than to disappoint. 

7. Knowledgeable

Part of providing the best customer service is having deep-seated knowledge. Customers reach out with the expectation that reps will guide them efficiently and provide accurate information. A knowledgeable employee does more than meet this expectation — it also instills customer confidence. This affirms they’re in capable hands.

Foster knowledgeability by being curious. Employees should feel comfortable enough to ask questions and inquire more often. That way, they get a deeper understanding and serve the customer in the best way possible. Plus, they can spread this knowledge to others if another rep is unsure about a query or a potential concern.

8. Professionalism

Professionalism in customer service is the embodiment of integrity, respect and dedication. What goes beyond knowledge or skill, professionalism requires a commitment to deliver the best customer service consistently. 

A professional employee is someone who engages with customers courteously. They clearly understand the business’s values and the customer’s expectations.

Customers expect a level of decorum and seriousness when they reach out. Meeting this expectation does more than enhance their satisfaction level — it boosts their perception of the brand. Plus, it makes them more willing to talk highly of your business to others. 

Customer service reps should maintain professionalism by using clear, respectful language. They should avoid slang and overly casual terms to ensure the customer feels they care. Professionalism also requires staying composed. Maintaining your emotions reassures customers and promotes constructive dialogue even in challenging situations.

9. Communicative

The best customer service includes effective communication. Being communicative may mean speaking in a clear tone. Yet, it also has much to do with relaying information in a manner that’s easily understood. That way, both parties stay on the same page. 

Being a communicative employee also means actively engaging with customers. They should provide them with timely updates and actionable feedback. They should also explain things so clearly that a five-year-old can understand them. 

Customers appreciate the clarity. It guarantees a smoother customer experience, reduces misunderstandings and builds trust.

Adopting The Best Customer Service Qualities

When your team acquires these qualities, they can provide the best customer service. However, adopting these skills takes time. Work with your customer support team so they can do their best to solve the customer’s problem. Provide training and mentoring — you’ll need to give your team a chance to build these skills to make your small business thrive.