The Power Trip You Need: A Solo Consultant's Guide to Industry Domination

Allllright: edition 004 of The Power Sauce - Coach Kym’s weekly(ish) “good talk” about all things power and how you can (and should) use it to build a better consulting business.

So let's get into it. Power.

"Wait…Coach Kym...power, tho? Isn't that what purple movie villains, music producers who go by one initial plus a surname, fat cats in finance and scummy politicians in shiny suits obsess over?"?

Sure.?

But also, pause that thought.?

Because there’s no question that Power has a severe PR problem right now, and I’m on a one-woman mission to rebrand this thing, so ride with me for a moment while I expand because I’d love to turn the page on everything you’ve learned about power so far.

Why Power Gets a Bad Rap (And Why We, as Consultants, Need to Swerve That So We Can Do Good Stuff)

History's highlight reel (and by “history”, I’m talking about everything that happened on this planet until 12 hours ago) is a beautifully curated collection of power gone wrong.

I get it…but try not to paint ALL power with the same brush - a bit like only watching horror movies and then deciding all movies are terrifyingly terrible, right? But in truth, power is sorta like coffee – in the right hands, it fuels greatness. In the wrong hands, well, you get chaos and jitters and weird breath and wall climbing. Obviously, this is less great.?

For us solo consulting crusaders, power isn't about cackling maniacally in a swivel chair (though sometimes that’s fun…like, have you ever tried it? Do it now - just put the tips of your fingers together and laugh like an 80’s cartoon villain. Good, right?). It's about having the clout to make real change happen. It's about walking into a room and having people think, "PHEW.Thank fu￠k they're here" instead of "FFS. ANOTHER cOnSuLTaNt?"

Why You Need to Get Over Your Power Hangups (Like, Yesterday Please.)

Big troof incoming: If you're not wielding power, it's likely someone else in your sphere is. And we both know that you would rather it be you – the honest, savvy, slightly over-caffeinated consultant who actually knows what they're doing – instead of someone who thinks leadership is about occupying the biggest corner on the block and tirelessly roasting the newbies.?

Because power is about positioning yourself to dominate based on your slice of the pie.?

And that slice is a critical piece of the overarching industry puzzle. It’s about coming correct and about having the ability to create positive change because you actually care. It's not giving "evil overlord," it'd giving more "industry Yoda" (but with better grammar and sharper tailoring…or not, if Jedi robes are your jam.)?

Annnnd, if you’re wondering whether you’re truly built for this, let Auntie Coach Kym remind you that you already hold incredible power.

That expertise you've been building between your ears over time? Power.

Those results you've delivered, whether formally for a client or otherwise for yourself? Power.

That one-of-a-kind perspective that only you can bring? Yep, you got it – Power, power, POWERRRRR.

You wid it? Nice.

Because there are a few fun things that happen when you pull on your power string, including but not limited to:

1. Your "Holy Schnikey’s" Factor Skyrocketing: When you own your power, people start looking at you differently. That subtle head tilt of recognition. Those "Can we get your input before we move forward?" kinds of requests. The way clients shut up and listen when you speak (it IS a thing.)
2. Your recommendations go beyond being “considered”: They get implemented with new energy. People are excited to follow your frameworks and get going with your guidance instead of running them up numerous needless flagpoles for sign-off so they can circle back to let you know when it’s greenlit (GTFOH, we're SO DONE with this.)
3. Your Bank Account Getting Buff: Power Players don't do discounted rates. When you're recognised as a force in your industry, your fees reflect your impact. Think less "Gah, I hope this price is okay, let me know if it isn’t, and we can work it out. Kind Regards!" and more "This is what excellence costs, people. Like it or lose meh."
4. Your insights are not just noted; they’re quoted: It’s a goooood day and a great feeling when you watch the VP of marketing in a Fortune 500 company present a strategy to their team that you devised, and they go on to namecheck you while reminding everyone on their team that your input is invaluable and they need to sit up and pay attention. (“schtaaapittt bruh, you’re makin’ me blush!”)
5. Your Impact Going Supersonic: This is the bit where you get to change your industry instead of just talking about what it might be like if things were shaken up a bit. Power is your rocket fuel for progression, and it’s the difference between sitting on your hands and your ideas and putting them out into the world, knowing they’re going to spark something a bit special.

And the bestest part?

This isn't an overnight transformation where you suddenly wake up feeling like you’re in the deep end trying to juggle all the moving parts of your industry and the related responsibilities. There’s no point where you get (or need) ultimate power. It's a gradual evolution through a collaborative effort. Each client win, each problem solved, each value-laden insight delivered – they all add up to your power profile and compound to position you exactly where you need to be for YOUR specialism.?

I repeat, you don’t suddenly become a leader, president, monarchy or god.?

You work towards these roles by communicating your consulting knowledge and implementing your expertise one stage at a time so that every time you do up your speed, you’re perfectly prepped to do so.

Plenty of people in positions of power shouldn’t be there. We both know this, and that won’t be you. How do I know that? Because once again, you’re reading this, which means you’re considering this concept of becoming a Power Player, and my job as your Power Player guide is to check you every step of the way to make sure you’re on track for nothing but positive power ;)?

So Here’s a Short Guide to Building Power According to Auntie Coach Kym:

1. Be ridiculously good at what you do. You don’t need to be good at everything - just YOUR specific thing. Your individual sport. Master your craft like you're training for the Olympics of consulting. But unlike the Olympics, you get to drink wine while sharpening your javelin.
2. Then, own your expertise like it's renaissance art. Stop apologising for knowing what you know. When you walk into a room (virtual or otherwise), walk in like you're carrying a briefcase full of backside-kickin' ideas – because you are. Your expertise goes beyond being just valuable; it's transformative. We’re outchea changing the game, nah mean jelly bean?
3. Share your smarts like they're leaving the planet soon. Create and publish the content, speak up and out at every chance you get, find new friends in your industry daily, and mentor those switched on to your setup. Be uber-generous with your knowledge. Spread the love to everyone willing to accept your brain. If what you know is kept under lock and key, it gathers dust, not dominion.?
4. Build REALLLL relationships (Not just LinkedIn connections for the sake of seeing that number go up). For example, really get to know the people you’re “adding to your network.” Remember that the power game is most effective when it's played collaboratively, and so long as everyone you’re connected to is focused on positive outcomes, no one on your side of the board needs to lose.? Sure, be genuine, be interested and interesting, but importantly, be someone people really want to play with.
5. Be the voice, not the echo. Stop nodding along. Have an opinion. A strong one. Challenge what’s going on. Back it up with your expertise and experience. Stand your ground. The consulting world doesn't need another yes-person – it needs the boldest, bravest, possibly most controversial (but always informed) version of you and your perspective. Say suttin.

Annnnd…Here’s the Permission Slip You Didn’t Know You Needed.?

Because actually, you don’t need it. But just in case:

Consider this your official permit to be powerful. To be influential. To be the consulting professional in your space making waves instead of just riding them, crossing fingers ‘and toes and hoping for the best. To shake things up and leave your industry better than you found it.?

You don’t need to be anointed. You don’t need another certification. You don’t need any approval from those who came before you.?

You DO need to know your stuff (you do), deliver results (you can), stand your ground (you will) and own ALL of that expertise out loud (you bettah).?

Power isn't about being a megalomaniac.?

Power isn’t about causing pain or devastation so the few can thrive.

It's about being mighty enough to make a difference, then doing so with integrity and purpose and a style that only you can rock.

Fu￠k yeah, it’s a flex - and your expertise is fundamental fuel on the fire of your ever-evolving industry. You’re allowed to be somebody who can do both (look good AND do good), so long as you make it make a difference.?

Love, always,

P.S. If anyone gives you grief about your pursuit of power, remember: They're likely sitting there just hoping someone reads their LinkedIn posts. Send thoughts and prayers ‘cause you've got bigger whales to fry.