[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/week-39-confidence-vs-ego-this-week-i-got-a-reality-check\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/week-39-confidence-vs-ego-this-week-i-got-a-reality-check\/","headline":"Week 39 \u2013 Confidence vs. Ego: This Week, I Got a Reality Check","name":"Week 39 \u2013 Confidence vs. Ego: This Week, I Got a Reality Check","description":"Week 39 \u2013 Confidence vs. Ego: This Week, I Got a Reality Check This week reminded me: even when you're good, you\u2019re never done learning. I had a call with Curt that left me thinking for days. Not because he was harsh\u2014but because he was right. I\u2019ve been feeling more confident lately. Reviews are great. Agents trust me. The systems are humming. And somewhere along the way\u2026 I started sounding a little too sure of myself. Then I had a run-in with a contractor that put me right back in student mode. Here\u2019s what happened: A client\u2019s contractor called us out\u2014said we \u201cmissed a bunch of code issues\u201d in our report. Claimed we should\u2019ve flagged all these items. Started questioning our competence. Honestly? I was steamed. But as Curt reminded me, this wasn\u2019t about defending my pride. It was about helping the client\u2014and staying professional, no matter what. The truth about inspections (and what some people still don\u2019t get): We\u2019re not code inspectors. We\u2019re not contractors. We don\u2019t do invasive or destructive testing. We\u2019re here to provide a system-by-system review based on what\u2019s visible and accessible at the time of inspection. But man, some folks really don\u2019t understand that. And this contractor? He was one of them\u2014until we talked. How Curt helped me get ready: He coached me through how to handle the call calmly, confidently, and if needed\u2014legally. He reminded me that the client comes first, and clarity always beats conflict. When I called the contractor, things were heated at first. But then, I explained what an inspection is and isn\u2019t. I walked him through what was documented, with photo evidence. And eventually\u2026 he got it. Here\u2019s the outcome: The contractor apologized\u2014and actually thanked me for the clarification. The client got a follow-up explaining what was (and wasn\u2019t) missed, and left the conversation reassured. Our reputation stayed intact\u2014and I learned how to de-escalate instead of over-defend. What I\u2019m taking with me from now on: Confidence is earned\u2014but it\u2019s fragile when it tips into ego. I know my stuff. I\u2019m trained. I care. But I\u2019m always a student, and I always represent more than just myself. Every inspection is an opportunity to educate\u2014not dominate. And every tense moment is a test of maturity, not just messaging. The mindset I\u2019m keeping: Be the expert. Be the educator. Be open. And when someone pushes back, don\u2019t flinch\u2014just clarify, calmly. Because ego might win the moment, but humility wins the relationship. \u2192 Next up: Week 40: Turning a One-Time Client Into a Lifelong Referral Source \u2190 Last week we talked competition\u2014catch it here: Week 38: What My Competitors Are Doing \u2014 And Why I\u2019m Not Scared Want to run a home inspection franchise that gives you confidence without ego? It starts with great coaching.","datePublished":"2025-07-11","dateModified":"2025-07-11","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/#Person","name":"Kloc Curtis","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/","identifier":6,"description":"Curtis Kloc is a U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in business development, inspections, and technical systems. He has built and sold multiple six- and seven-figure home inspection and environmental services companies, including HERO Inspections & Environmental and Elite Analysis. Curtis is the founder of Inspections Over Coffee, a nationally expanding franchise known for its white-glove service, inspector training systems, and streamlined operational workflows.\r\n\r\nWith deep roots in nuclear engineering from his time as a Machinist Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician aboard two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, Curtis brings unmatched precision and discipline to every business he runs. He is certified and licensed in home inspection, mold assessment, asbestos inspection, and environmental testing, and is a member of NACHI since 2006. Curtis now leads AI automation initiatives through Nexation.ai, helping businesses eliminate busywork and refocus on what matters most\u2014client relationships, growth, and results.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Person","name":"Curtis Kloc","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","width":512,"height":512}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspector-franchisee-journey-week-39.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspector-franchisee-journey-week-39.png","height":736,"width":1312},"url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/week-39-confidence-vs-ego-this-week-i-got-a-reality-check\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":488,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWeek 39 \u2013 Confidence vs. Ego: This Week, I Got a Reality CheckThis week reminded me: even when you're good, you\u2019re never done learning.I had a call with Curt that left me thinking for days. Not because he was harsh\u2014but because he was right. I\u2019ve been feeling more confident lately. Reviews are great. Agents trust me. The systems are humming. And somewhere along the way\u2026 I started sounding a little too sure of myself.Then I had a run-in with a contractor that put me right back in student mode.Here\u2019s what happened:A client\u2019s contractor called us out\u2014said we \u201cmissed a bunch of code issues\u201d in our report. Claimed we should\u2019ve flagged all these items. Started questioning our competence. Honestly? I was steamed. But as Curt reminded me, this wasn\u2019t about defending my pride. It was about helping the client\u2014and staying professional, no matter what.The truth about inspections (and what some people still don\u2019t get):We\u2019re not code inspectors. We\u2019re not contractors. We don\u2019t do invasive or destructive testing. We\u2019re here to provide a system-by-system review based on what\u2019s visible and accessible at the time of inspection. But man, some folks really don\u2019t understand that. And this contractor? He was one of them\u2014until we talked.How Curt helped me get ready:He coached me through how to handle the call calmly, confidently, and if needed\u2014legally. He reminded me that the client comes first, and clarity always beats conflict. When I called the contractor, things were heated at first. But then, I explained what an inspection is and isn\u2019t. I walked him through what was documented, with photo evidence. And eventually\u2026 he got it.Here\u2019s the outcome:  The contractor apologized\u2014and actually thanked me for the clarification.  The client got a follow-up explaining what was (and wasn\u2019t) missed, and left the conversation reassured.  Our reputation stayed intact\u2014and I learned how to de-escalate instead of over-defend.What I\u2019m taking with me from now on:Confidence is earned\u2014but it\u2019s fragile when it tips into ego. I know my stuff. I\u2019m trained. I care. But I\u2019m always a student, and I always represent more than just myself. Every inspection is an opportunity to educate\u2014not dominate. And every tense moment is a test of maturity, not just messaging.The mindset I\u2019m keeping:Be the expert. Be the educator. Be open. And when someone pushes back, don\u2019t flinch\u2014just clarify, calmly. Because ego might win the moment, but humility wins the relationship.\u2192 Next up: Week 40: Turning a One-Time Client Into a Lifelong Referral Source\u2190 Last week we talked competition\u2014catch it here: Week 38: What My Competitors Are Doing \u2014 And Why I\u2019m Not ScaredWant to run a home inspection franchise that gives you confidence without ego? It starts with great coaching.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Week 39 \u2013 Confidence vs. Ego: This Week, I Got a Reality Check","item":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/week-39-confidence-vs-ego-this-week-i-got-a-reality-check\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]