My Journey....
The past two years I have been on my own as an Independent Consultant. Here are a few reflections of my journey
Be Clear of your Life Purpose
As an executive Coach, it was important for me to confirm my own personal purpose: ‘Follow my own light, and support others follow theirs’. It was time for me to make the transition from being an ‘EBITDA’ partner to a Trusted Advisor. I must admit that I also had enough of the operating world of HR: 30 plus years was like stretching things and I was not sure I was learning anything new. Also, I needed to move out rather than linger and discover that someone had moved my cheese. Once I left I missed two things initially: the monthly pay-check and the ‘title’. Nothing else. With time, I realised the ‘burden’ of what it meant to be under ‘Authority’ of the other. The greatest joy today is not having a Boss! I wake up each morning, committed to be accountable to self, and set goals that would make me happy.
Professional Model
I spoke to many independent consultants and their operating model varied. Some focussed on 1 -2 specific areas, while others were happy to support more generally across clients needs. Some worked in a partnership with a few link minded colleagues and created a partnership, while others decided to hire a team of a few people and set up an office. My own choice was to be a single contributor, operate from home and have no operating expenses except my mobile bills. Some choose names for their firms. I simply decided on ‘Steve Correa & Associates’ - (remembering two names for one service is difficult). I decided what is the quality and quantum of work that would make me happy. I learnt quickly that your professional networks don’t mean a thing – if that’s what you are depending on to get professional work. Help has come to me from unexpected sources. I feel very grateful to many for kind acts of generosity.
The pay-offs
I continue to feel the same energy within, work just as hard, but the benefits are huge: freedom, quantum leap in learning, deeper relationships and the freedom to make choices. More importantly, to find time to relax and think! Soon I found that the things that I thought would be difficulty turned out to be easy and vice versa. I put myself out to embrace new opportunities and I am delighted with the choice of newer kinds of work. A muse visited and dropped the idea of a book. That was a long love affair that took over 18 months.
Innovation can be simple.
I found resources everywhere!
· I stated using Dunzo for pick up and drops of packages
· A small courier firm agreed to pick up packages from me at home
· I bought a kindle account and immediately fixed storage space while I continued to read even more widely.
· I used drop box and google drive to interact with my clients for storage of material.
· I bought apple music monthly subscription / Netflix / Prime movies – downloaded music / movies to watch during travel.
· I enrolled in several MOOC classes – Coursera, EDx, etc
· A trusted CA, helps me with all my financial accounting.
· I build out regular goals (adventures) for myself.
· I track my own activities into a weekly plan
In short, I manage everything – a jack of all trades!
reflections.
More than hard work it’s been hard work learning ‘new stuff’, doing mundane but critical things – filling forms, managing accounts, etc. Broaden one’s experience and knowledge widely. Keep Learning. I put up a website, and recently added a landing page to host my forthcoming book. Have you visited yet? https://stevecorrea.co/the-indian-boss-at-work/
Stay obsessed with client's need, and that should be enough. Celebrate often especially with family and friends.
I would love to hear from you. Do comment and I really enjoy the conversations that follow the post.
Practices for the growth of the organization in competitive global market and aspire career in HR & IR Administration
4 年Nicely Articulated !
Leadership Consultant & Coach ? Certified Board Director ? Indian Knowledge System (IKS) enthusiast ? IIM Ahmedabad ? IIT Roorkee
4 年Candid and simple, Steve. To your point on professional network... it is the weak connections (2nd level/ recent connections) that provide more tangible value most often as against the strong 1st level connections.. maybe this is simplistic and surely there would be exceptions, but personal anecdotal evidence also supports that theory..
Chief People Officer | Over 25 years of global HR experience | MBA | Six Sigma Green Belt | Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) | Financial Markets Headhunter| ICF Credentialed Coach (ACC)
4 年The simple joy and pleasure of your journey is coming out clearly through the words. Very authentic! I relate to it as my short foray into entrepreneurship was very satisfying and will hopefully return to it one day. Congratulations and all the best!
2x Founder | Lifelong Marketeer I Occasional Writer
4 年Resonates to the T. So well put.
Marketing Manager @ Love, Indus | Strategic Brand Growth
4 年I decided to venture off on my own about a year ago at the age of 23. The journey so far has been challenging, intimidating but also really exciting and rewarding. I too miss the regular paychecks, but I wouldn’t trade it for the freedom I have to explore many paths :)