The last 5 years have seen our business go from strength to strength. I often feel like pinching myself to have the privilege of doing work I love. Yes, it comes with huge pressure, very long hours at times (this last month has been very intense, and I haven ‘t stuck to my 4.5 day work week but I know it is just a season) and continual levelling up. But it is so worth it to have so many clients trusting us with their development and growth.
This past week, I met with three CEOs on significant pieces of work and one of the projects we recently kicked off to Elevate the Success of a CIB Sales Team in a big bank has been so successful that we are just about to take the initiative through Africa. It was one of those pinnacle type weeks that got me thinking about my current formula for success and it is probably not what you might be thinking it is.
Let me share my Key Steps to get you thinking about yours so that together we can…
‘be the difference that makes the difference.’
PS: Before this sounds like my life is just peachy, it really isn’t… I’m still battling horrid sinus after swine flu and needed a cortisone injection. My daughter has been ill again. Her au pair is on leave. My trusted right hand put her back out and has been on bed rest. Our fiber provider decided to “upgrade” us without warning and switch off connectivity for hours on end (three times over), meaning I had to pack up and move to my second office to deliver workshops. I even did a coaching session on Friday in my driveway where I had signal to hotspot. It’s been a week!! Enough about that! Let’s get on with these Key Steps to…
‘be the difference that makes the difference.’
- Be authentic and okay not knowing. I sat in a meeting this week and when I was asked how we would know the intervention was successful (it is a deeply experiential complex piece of work to facilitate) I responded, “I wish I had a slickly packaged answer for you, but I don’t.” The CEO’s response, “That is a really good answer, Sharon.” I added that from my experience we would feel it and navigate it in the moment and make sure we were on track as we went. He got it and agreed. Ten years ago, I might’ve tried to say something intelligent and – ultimately – insincere!
- Let your knowledge be a foundation. The longer I’ve been in this business the more I realise that people don’t want a sage on a stage but a guide on their side. Knowledge is everywhere so you need a deep bedrock but don’t lead with what you know. Help your clients to use knowledge and tools. Show them the HOW and…
- Relentlessly care and add value. When you consistently strive to add value to your clients and communities (without burning yourself out and maintaining healthy boundaries – because you are no good to anyone if you don’t care for you) they feel it and they crave that genuine care and support. It is a magnet for miracles.
- Be bold and prepared to challenge the status quo. I’ve said quite a lot of NOs this week and had to tell clients that certain things were not going to work or not going to be the best solution to their problem. I’ve stood my ground and been prepared to challenge the status quo. And it’s actually seen certain projects grow, not shrink. I love being a solutioning partner and honest sounding board. And if the work did shrink or even go away completely, it is okay. I’ve learnt to trust that what is meant for me won’t pass me. Of course, this is easier to lean into on good weeks!
- Consistency is key. Consistency is the most important ingredient of powerful and respected brands. Consistently level up, consistently care, consistently self-care, consistently deliver on your promises, consistently follow-up, consistently adopt a growth mindset and learn from mistakes… Consistency! Consistency! Consistency!
- Be grateful and humble. I think the best thing my parents taught me was how to be grateful and humble. Let’s not confuse this with lacking confidence. I’ve been there – my 20s saw me very anxious and unsure – and I had to work hard to build my confidence. I wish I’d had that bit younger! But back to gratitude and humility… They are two more magnets for miracles.
- Have a great support system. I wouldn’t be writing this without my team. It’s been a hard week with so much of my support system out of action. Just shows how critical they are. Nurture your system, build a strong system and be prepared to need and ask for help. Success is a team effort!
- Know there will be good weeks, great weeks and lousy ones. Life is filled with ups and downs. The downs will come, sales might be slow, presentations might not go as well as you’d like, you’ll get flu, you’ll have conflicts with colleagues, you fight with loved one, you’ll lose loved ones, you’ll feel low, you’ll feel confused and unsure of what to do next. It is part of the process of life. Learn to live with and manage your emotions. Do this and you’ll be able to keep taking Key Steps to see it through to the next good and great days and…
‘be the difference that makes the difference.’
