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Self Doubt: A Leadership tool to tune into your value

These past few weeks, while walking Gabbi, I chose not to listen to any music or podcast so I could tune into my thoughts and find answers. I have done great work while being in my own business, but sustainability evades me and wondering if I should continue or change. I know I should continue my work whether dropping into businesses to solve technical issues or helping business leaders unleash their potential. However, how to convert those that value what I do to those who enlist my services still evades me. During this contemplative time, I have experienced much doubt, but also realized I provide tremendous value.

While trying to figure out what to change and how to change, signals from the universe came my way that gave me a glimmer of hope and guidance.

I’d like to share a few of them with you in hopes it will inspire you:

  • Three people responded to my weekly newsletter “The Afterburn: Leadership Lessons to Avoid a Crisis” and how it impacted them. My writing and thought leadership resonates with my audience.
  • Three people I interviewed on The Drop In CEO podcast and two Networking calls all told me I have this great voice that is very calming and created a great experience. My voice is a vehicle for connecting with people and making them feel at ease.
  • Three people subscribed to The Drop In CEO YouTube channel where I share my podcast episodes, shorts and bonus material for CEO Crisis Prevention and Behind the Scenes. My views are increasing, showing me that connecting on this new platform is reaching a broader audience.

What all three of these observations show me is that through Written, Audio & Visual content, I am able to provide insights and inspiration to my community. It shows me I should continue this work because it is valued. The quest is in pursuit of how to leverage this insight and who will be my guides along the way.

So what does this mean for you?

If you’re feeling unsettled and experiencing self-doubt, this is a leadership skill worth leveraging. When you go through this period and allow yourself to hear and see the signals, you gain clarity in a path forward. So how do you put this to practice?

  • Stop and take the time you need to talk to yourself and listen to what others are saying.
  • Continue with what you are known for.
  • Start to act on those talents you’ve not fully leveraged.

I promise you with this framework you will gain clarity and get back on track.

If you want to subscribe to my Newsletter, The Afterburn, DM me on LI and I’ll add you to my mailing list or Contact Page

For more insights, please listen to my podcast airing on 3/1/24 and view the video on YouTube so you see how I really feel about this topic!.

If you are a CEO who would love a partner to help you with a business challenge, be your #2 or help develop the team of tomorrow, let us partner in 2024.

Be well-Deb

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Three Ways to Think Differently

I think I’ve found the keys to success and I’m over the top excited to share this with you. If you’re ready, let’s take a leap towards greater success with this simple shift in mindset!

I’ve been working with a client to enhance their client experience, and the feedback I received was incredibly rewarding. It reminded me of my superpowers: deep listening and facilitating conversations. I believe these skills can be beneficial to you as well, as they can help you understand and connect with others on a deeper level. With that said, sometimes we don’t leverage our superpowers because our mindset is not in the right place. 

About 7 years ago, a personal training trainer encouraged me to focus on the possibility of success rather than worrying about failure. This shift in perspective was a game-changer for me. It boosted my confidence and made me realize that feedback, whether positive or negative, is a gift for growth.

Many professionals are risk averse due to scrutiny and they adopt the mindset of potential failure. When you shift your mindset to the possibility of success, confidence is enhanced. That confidence that comes with the mindset shift is my key to success and hopefully yours. 

When considering your own mindset, there are three main things I invite you to challenge yourself with:

  • Reflect on your own initiatives, presentations, or proposals. What is currently within your control? Focus on only the things that can directly influence the outcome of your goals.
  • Avoid letting a negative mindset hold you back? Remember your past successes and trust in your ability to figure things out. 
  • Don’t worry about perfection or the opinions of others. Instead, focus on your growth and the value you bring.

Remember, keep pushing forward and keep growing. Your mindset is the key to your success.

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 9/1/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

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How to Encourage Networking within your Team

I wish I had someone give me advice about the importance of networking within your team and close circle. Some people just seem to have a knack for this; you see them joking and swapping stories about cookouts they attended or chatting about a recent sporting event. You watch this and wish you could do that, but shy away because it feels awkward. Not only am I talking about myself and you if you’ve ever experienced this, but I’m also speaking to the leaders who see this competency gap in their people.

What are you doing to provide feedback in a way that is positive and shows the value of networking? It is the difference between a team that simply gets results vs. a high performing team that fulfills a purpose and leaves an impact. 

Fast Company speaks to the benefits of internal networking:

“When you continually network with other employees within your company, you’re building relationships, establishing rapport, and cultivating a mutual trust and respect that will enable higher productivity and a better overall work experience.”

I learned later that it takes a concerted effort to 1) choose to network, 2) decide how and who to network with, 3) actually doing it, 4) and being clear about the outcome you want to achieve. 

I remember going to a networking event feeling quite awkward, but went in with the mindset that I would work the room and by the end give out 3 business cards. With that intention, I gave out 2 business cards and was later asked to join the board because I had the right presence and the way I spoke, they felt I would be a great leader. This worked well for me, but was guess work. I had no formula for successfully building a network.

We need to set an example for ourselves and the team to practice building this competency so it becomes natural. I wrote an article “How to be a Memorable Networker” . In it, I provide a step by step process on how to start a conversation with emphasis on asking well placed questions, listening and showing the other person you heard them. It is the foundation of building relationships.

I remember spending time with our sales team and hearing the complaints from customers and how we were not meeting their expectations. While solving the customer’s issue was important, the greater opportunity was building a trusting relationship with the sales person; letting them know we heard them. With that approach, future conversations went from a colleague who may rant about poor performance to one of collaboration and how do we make the customer right. This is the value of internal networking. 

Zig Zigler once said, “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” 

When we spend time building this competency that enables better relationships, the individual and the team can achieve higher levels of performance. People need to focus on building competencies as leading indicators of success. When people hone these competencies, the performance and results will come. 

While I’ve shared the importance of it, we now need to encourage it in ourselves and the people in our circle. Ask a colleague to go for a walk with you, join you for coffee, invite them over for a barbecue, go to lunch, set up a 1-2-1 and just set aside time to get to know each other and not always about work. These actions are simple to do, but it starts with your mindset, your intention and the willingness to try it. With all new competencies it takes practice until it becomes a skill. Are you ready to invest in this new skill? 

If this insight was helpful, share this article with others. If you have a unique challenge and wish to have a complementary conversation, please reach out to me. I love helping C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow reach their career goals. 

Your time is valuable, so I wanted to share a few quick links so I can be of service:

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