Learning leadership lessons from Bridgette, Big Issue vendor.

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself standing alongside the wonderful Specsavers global sustainability team, sharing a day filled with purpose, compassion, and unforgettable lessons. Our quarterly strategy gathering included spending a day experiencing our extraordinary partnership with the Big Issue .

Over the past year, we have partnered with the Big Issue to make a positive impact on the eye and ear health of Big Issue vendors. We offer them free eye tests, glasses, and even earwax removal – a true embodiment of our commitment to changing lives through improved sight and hearing. But what happened next, during those incredible hours, was beyond what any of us could have anticipated.

When we joined forces with Big Issue vendors on Portsmouth High Street, little did we know that this experience would be more than just a day of volunteering; it would become an emotional journey of leadership discovery. As I stood alongside the truly inspirational Bridgette, a Big Issue vendor for over two decades, I received an education in leadership that transcended my expectations.

Engagement - Bridgette possessed a unique gift for connecting with her customers, whom she fondly referred to as her "extended family." She knew them personally, remembering the names of their loved ones and even their pets. Bridgette's relationship with those who purchased the magazine extended far beyond a mere transaction; it was a genuine connection. Her customers didn't just buy from Bridgette; they cared deeply about her well-being, asking after her health with heartfelt concern.

Resilience - In a world where every penny holds immense value and disposable income is scarce, selling Big Issue magazines requires?commitment. As a reasonably confident salesman, I believed I could sell the modest stack of magazines assigned to me. However, despite my earnest efforts, I managed to sell only two magazines in three hours – and one of those was to myself! I realized that for every acknowledgment or interaction I received (let alone a sale), there were at least a hundred instances where I felt invisible. Selling under such circumstances – in all weather conditions, at all hours, often in challenging environments – demands an unparalleled reservoir of resilience. Bridgette's resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she couldn't sell Big Issue magazines, is a testament to her strength, which you can read about here.

Joy - Perhaps the most profound lesson I learned from Bridgette was that, despite the adversities and personal challenges she faces, her greatest asset is her radiant joy. Her sales technique was brilliantly simple: smile from within, and people would be drawn to you. I must admit, it worked like magic. While I was struggling to sell one magazine, attempting every sales technique in my repertoire, Bridgette effortlessly sold many more, all while emanating an infectious joy that touched the hearts of those around her.

In a world filled with uncertainty, Bridgette's story is a beacon of hope, illuminating the power of human connection, resilience, and unwavering joy in the face of adversity. Important leadership lessons in any context.

To learn more about Specsavers' partnership with the Big Issue and the incredible journey of vendors like Bridgette, please follow this link.