Dolores Cummins, author of 'Altitude'

Dolores Cummins, Management Consultant, Executive Coach and Leadership Educator, lives in Brisbane, Australia, and is MD of C3 Leadership. You can find her here: www.dolorescummins.com . Her book, 'Altitude; Two Women’s Journey on Mt. Kilimanjaro', co-authored with fellow climber & coach, Barbara Baikie , was published in 2013 by BD Publishing.

The right book can have a long and impactful life, as Dolores's story attests.

1. How do you best describe what you now do for clients?????????????????????????

I help individuals and organisations navigate the complexity and uncertainty of our rapidly changing world. I design and run professional development programs in proactive change management, plus high-performance team, culture and leadership development. I also facilitate senior leadership and board strategy sessions, and provide individual coaching programs. My aim is to help others find their unique voice, understand their strengths and step into their power.??

2. How have you morphed into your current business??????????????????????

The death of my first son caused me to question what really mattered. I committed to living life on purpose and with courage. This led me to set up my own business in management consulting and coaching where I could work with people to create organisational cultures of belonging, where people matter and business thrives. It also led me to step way outside my comfort zone to present at conferences, lecture at university, facilitate workshops around the world, take groups trekking in wild places, mediate fierce conversations, and be present with individuals as they take big journeys to discover who they really are. This nexus brings together my background in psychology, anthropology and neurosciences with strategic business and high-performance culture development.??

3. How has publishing a book helped you achieve your personal goals??

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro was a dream I held over many years. I wanted to experience the snow on the summit before global warming changed that environment. I wanted to challenge myself physically, mentally and emotionally to test the boundaries of the possible.?I also wanted to trial the route for a future leadership development program. However, after experiencing the challenges of trekking at high altitudes where you are too busy just staying alive, I decided this wasn’t the best place to run a leadership or personal development program. Writing a book about this journey though, has helped me share the lessons from the mountain with many others, which in turn fulfilled a personal goal of making a difference through doing meaningful work.??

4. How does your book help others achieve their own goals??

'Altitude' is a part travelogue, part personal development workbook, that takes readers on a journey of inner discovery. It is designed to help people manage the challenges and harness the opportunities that life presents. It explores how journeys prompt us to step into the best version of ourselves. Whilst the book is woven around the climb to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, each chapter focuses on a different theme—relationships and how to manage them; change and how to step into the unknown; and core values and beliefs and how to harness their power to control the internal limitations like imposter syndrome and self-doubt that threaten to paralyse us. Achieving goals requires the re-evaluation of success and letting go of what is no longer relevant. In short, it requires us to take sovereignty of our one precious life. ‘Altitude’ helps people achieve their goals by questioning what really matters, by identifying and embracing choices, and by encouraging individuals to take the first step into their new journey and then keep on stepping.??

5. How has your book helped grow or develop your business???????????????????

Someone referred to publishing a book as having a ‘business card on steroids’. I’ve found that my book continues to help lend credibility to the services I offer. It shows I have walked my talk. It has provided a platform and reference material for workshops and coaching sessions. It has exposed me to a wider audience and prompted invitations into places and spaces new to me that have contributed to the development and sustainability of my business.??

6. What surprised you most about the publishing process????????????????????????

I was surprised at how much planning work is required at the beginning. Starting with the end in mind is so important, as is understanding and writing for your audience; developing a road map with all the component parts; and planning out the book, the chapter flow, the framework, and the story arc whilst keeping it relevant and real. Writing a book is much more than simply writing a story. This is where I am grateful to Bev and her team. Her guidance and support along the way made the journey less daunting.??

7. What tips would you give to someone who is thinking about writing a book to build their business??

Be clear on the purpose of your book and what you want it to achieve for your business. Ask your clients what they want from your book. Explore how it ties in with your current work, your reputation and your vision for the future of your business. Spend time in the planning stage. Build in regular writing time and reflection space. Engage expert advice.??

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Bev Ryan, Smart Women Publish