Penny Power’s Ponderings on business loneliness
Penny Power OBE
The Human Touch in a Digital World- Creating Love & Connection for Business Owners in an emotionally disconnected world through BIP100/ Author ?? Business Is Personal
Hello and thank you for reading my Ponderings, while I love writing them, it is also amazing to get your comments and the DMs you send me, so thank you.
This week I am going to talk about 'love' and 'connection' as this is the best way to combat Business Loneliness, but love is an emotion few people feel comfortable with in a business environment. Since I was 19, I have wanted to change that. When I joined the business world in 1983, I was shocked by how cold and unfeeling it was. I found my own way to survive it and that was to love people.
Love and Connection are two human emotional needs that we all need, no matter what personality or character we have. In fact, one of your critical brain chemicals is Oxytocin, and this is all about love and connection. When we are low in oxytocin we feel a sense of isolation and lack confidence, when we have high oxytocin we are connected to others which makes us:
This week, I want to talk about 'Business Loneliness', a subject that I have been committed to for 25 years and a challenge that we all have at some point. I know I have experienced it.
Business Loneliness is a ‘thing’, no matter how much love and support you might have at home, the sense of business loneliness cannot always be solved through a great home life. I am aware that Business Loneliness has an economic impact, impacting growth and profitability, and there are many reasons for this. Our confidence, self-worth, self-belief, all of these can be impacted by the loneliness of being a business leader or business owner. Being lonely in business can also cause us to make errors in judgement, reduces the chance of innovating in the right direction, taking on clients that are not right for us. All of these can cause us to run a business that overwhelms us and that we don’t feel in control of.
领英推荐
Technology has isolated us, I don’t need to go on that rant, we all know that, so what can we do to combat this isolation?
Thomas and I have always created communities for business people to enable them to be among people who are not frightened to be vulnerable and tell their truth. When we belong to Networks, we tend to be purely seeking a transactional relationship, looking for our own win in every conversation. It is one of the reasons I don’t go ‘networking’ as I find it depletes my energy massively.
I am a believer in deep conversations, finding the truth and the needs of others so that they can either just have a sounding board, or I can connect them to a trusted contact that can help them with a challenge. The kindness of listening and being there for someone is also a powerful solution to two other human needs we have; the need to feel significant and the need to contribute to others, and to receive contribution also.
This is not an easy economy, I am not going to get negative here, as I also see huge opportunities. However, I know that life is a lot better when you have someone to talk to that has no other agenda than to be a friend and who tells the truth, shares their past and lifts you when you are feeling a bit lost.
So this week, may I suggest that you focus on ‘love and connection’ and take time to have some deep conversations, without an agenda. Be human as, in this ever-increasing AI world, being human is basically the only differentiator we might all have. After all, AI does not have your heart and your life experiences. You can make such a difference when you reach out with love, it is certainly the best antidote to fear.
If you would like more of this dropped into your inbox weekly please join our mailing list - https://share.hsforms.com/1wHk-oSo0S2q7D7_nlakErAc54jn
With so much love,
Penny x
PhD Weaving Science and Consciousness, Parenting Between Worlds, Author of A Mother's Courage to Awaken, Keynote Speaker
1 年Love and connection being two andecdotes for loneliness is well said, Penny. And I love ?? Lisa Richards solution to shake things up and do something different. My solution was also making big shifts in my life and I am reaping the rewards.
Guiding Leaders from Surviving to Thriving | Burnout Prevention | Career Coaching Specialist | Certified Coach | Practitioner in Brain & Behaviour Change | Trainer, Consultant, L&D Leader (ex MSFT)
1 年I think business loneliness is becoming a bigger and bigger issue! My biggest 'secret ingredient' when building high performing teams has always been love. Thank you for your inspiring leadership and call to action here, Penny. You are being the change we all wish to see.
Conscious creative reconnecting people & places to thrive, not just survive
1 年Thank you Penny Power OBE for your thoughts and couldn't agree more as I have felt somewhat isolated today and for some time in my work having returned to urban design as a freelance. It has suited me very well until recently, so rather than doing the same thing, I have decided to change things and step out of this role to go and work for a local retailer as part of a team in the hope that a change is as good as a rest, plus it may make me more appreciative of what I have rather than focusing on what I feel I lack....??
Experienced Charity CEO, Trustee & Philanthropic advisor | Project, Fundraising and Operations specialist | Passionate about bringing joy to people's lives
1 年There is an American podcast and book called 'Love is just damn good business'... they have got that right - as have you, as always x
Managing Director at Compliance Export International LLC
1 年So important and more so for ex abused children who have vision, start enterprise , adelante, . Thus, no family support and conflicted at time , mission direction. True grit is required. Support groups world be helpful.