Lessons from a creator: How to build lasting partnerships ??

Welcome to Quick Confidence! This weekly letter delivers a spritz of stories, tips and actions that will build your confidence and power. Each tip bolsters confidence in your body, mind, and relationships so you can lead yourself and others to greatness. Quick Confidence is also a book! Get your copy to carry confidence wherever you go.?

In 2020, I moved away from my usual bread and butter of speaking and training. I knew I needed to try something new. I wanted to reach more people and build communities in fresh ways, and to experiment!

Gradually, I started creating daily video content, and no one was more surprised than I was at how much I enjoyed it!

Beyond this new form of self-expression and the wonderful community it fostered, here’s a bonus I never expected: partnering with like-minded organizations to multiply our impact. Fast forward to today, I’ve partnered with dozens of companies from job search sites to tech giants in Silicon Valley to insurance companies, developing sponsorships and spokesperson campaigns as a substantial part of my revenue.

This journey has not only provided tangible benefits but has also been a tremendous confidence booster, enhancing my ability to build alliances, propose win-win initiatives, and grow my resilience.

Even if you're not a creator and have no plans to be one, the lessons I've learned can apply to you too. Whether you’re proposing a new plan, idea, or other type of relationship or partnership, these insights can help you build the confidence needed to succeed. Here are some key lessons from my experience that anyone can use to enhance their professional journey:

Quick Confidence Tips to Build Relationships & Enhance your Professional Impact

1. Mindset: Understand your value. The first step in making an exciting proposal is to understand your value proposition. As a creator, I had to evaluate what unique qualities I brought to the table. Whether it's a loyal and engaged audience, a niche topic I cover, or specific expertise, knowing what makes you distinct is crucial. Before you wow leaders or decision-makers with your incredible idea or plan, consider why you, specifically, are the right person to guide and lead that plan to fruition. This self-awareness translates into confidence, allowing you to present yourself convincingly. Remember, knowing your value is the first step to making others see it too.
2. Interpersonal: ABFR – Always Be Fostering Relationships. When someone makes a bold bet on you, for example by agreeing to let you represent the company or saying yes to your plan, trust is everything. Any good partnership is built on genuine engagement, consistent communication, and a willingness to understand the other side's goals. If you see your counterpart looks uncomfortable with a deal term because they’re frowning or rolling their eyes, raise the issue and work to understand their concern. Or if you make a bold recommendation, take a pulse of the room and follow it up with, “How does that sound to you?” Consistently understanding what success looks like for your partner can make your current partnerships more enjoyable and lead to better results, and it can also open doors to new opportunities! The more you invest in relationships, the more confidence you'll gain in your ability to collaborate effectively.
3. Embodied: Bend Without Breaking. One of my favorite trees in our yard growing up was a gorgeous old willow tree, known for its flexibility and ability to thrive in challenging weather conditions. Just like willows adapting to the changeable nature of weather, your partnerships will likely be dynamic and hard to predict at times. Think about how you could commit to modeling flexibility, for example holding timelines, ideas, and opinions somewhat lightly, and how you could bend and adjust to include more points of view, expand the original plan, or respond to changing conditions. Knowing that continual learning and adaptation are built into your approach will help you feel prepared for whatever may come.

Forging new paths as a creator and spokesperson has been a transformative experience, building my confidence and enhancing my toolkit. Yes, there have been plenty of “No’s” and mistakes made along the way, but I feel so much more knowledgeable and empowered as a result.?

By understanding your value, building relationships, and staying adaptable, you can boost your confidence and pave the way for new opportunities in any field.?

Like the African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

How have you leveraged your unique strengths to create opportunities or foster relationships in your professional life? Share your stories in the comments below!

My self-advocacy course equips you to be, well, your own self-advocate! You’ll learn how to amplify your voice by being prepared for obvious and less obvious scenarios.