The latest catchphrase making the rounds in my circle of friends is “ain’t nobody got time for blowing bubbles.” It’s a fun, yet sometimes sarcastic, way of saying “crying or vulnerability is for the birds.”
Oftentimes, when women reach a certain level of success, we feel we should hide our feminine side or apologize for even having one. We don’t want anyone to know we’re afraid or less confident than we say we are (or are sometimes at a downright loss for what to do!). We’ve come to believe that showing vulnerability can have an adverse effect on our careers by revealing our “emotional” side. The key lies in how we turn this vulnerability into an asset.
A client of mine approached me for coaching on how to deal with “mommy guilt” – being a business owner had its demands and left little time for being a good mom. She had a business partner but had relinquished too much of her own vision in efforts to be a good partner. The passion she once felt for her wealth practice was dying a slow death. She knew she had a higher calling as a leader in her own business but became comfortable and complacent; she knew if she were to strike out on her own she’d have to get off her “assets” and break a sweat.
Together, we devised a plan of how to address the issue of fear, guilt and working through a transition period. If we could work through the emotions behind her hidden vulnerabilities and create a strategic plan for success, she could not only experience bliss in everyday life but could also increase profitability.
So, here’s where we began:
Acknowledgement – The first step was admitting the fear of losing something: clients, reputation, revenue, or personal relationships.
Acceptance – Accepting that those things could occur.
Responsibility – Owning the outcome of whatever happened. I had my client repeat the phrase “I am responsible for my life, my business and my success or lack thereof and no-one else is.”
A New Vision – Together, we determined the vision for what she really wanted.
Strategic Plan – We outlined the plan and steps to get her where she wanted to be.
The four critical areas of focus in the initial phase of working with a client like this are: clarity, confidence, faith and a clearing to receive. Through my coaching and consulting, I guided her to transform her mindset to get clear about what she wanted and how she could have it. I held the plan in front of her and forged ahead each week, holding her accountable.
Her vision and passion drove these results home: she’s now the sole proprietor of a wealth management boutique with a bold vision to engage, educate and empower people to have more meaningful financial success. Her new office is twice the size of the office she shared with a business partner. She has added two more staff members, mentored college students during the summer and built a strong brand.
In less than 9 months, she has a $24 million increase in Assets under Management, a nearly 30% increase in reoccurring revenue and a new line of business that generated $400,000 in revenue.
She’s more innovative in her approach and more deliberate, clear and firm when communicating the vision, mission and core values of the company. And yes, she spends more time with her child, enjoying movies, games and play dates. They’re both happier than ever.
Vulnerability is an asset to your bottom line. You just have to know how to honestly address it and leverage it. Perhaps blowing bubbles is not such a bad idea after all!
As CEO of The P3 Group, Inc. and The P3 Group International, LLC, publisher of The P3 Power Boost Online Magazine and host of The P3 Power Boost Radio Show, Lisa Thomas brings over 20 years’ experience in business, executive leadership and success coaching. She has worked extensively with print, television and radio media and has been a featured columnist and Success Coach and Business Strategist on Affiliate NPR, WFDD, The Cary News, Fox 8 and NBC affiliates.
Lisa is best known for her business and leadership acumen and is widely recognized for her ability to develop women leaders to be more effective and exceptional to forge new paths of success. Lisa generously donates her time and expertise to a number of organizations and worthy causes, including NetWorth, the Business Succession Forum Network, and the Hazel B. Neal Foundation, for which she recently was recognized with the woman of Power, Purpose and Vision award.
