Is Pride Holding You Back From Accessing The Support You Need?

It's a short one from me this week, as I'm currently wearing my beret and breton striped top whilst wandering the streets of Paris with a string of onions around my neck.

Ok, you got me! I am currently enjoying catching up with friends in Paris, but I'm not wearing a beret, breton stripes, or an onion garland, because I'm not a French stereotype and French people don't look like that!

But that stereotype got me thinking, and it's time we had an honest conversation.

Because just like French people, not all business owners are the same either. So why do so many of you feel like you should know/act/be the same as each other? This isn't a competition to fit in. Doing things differently is actually the difference between success and ultimate failure.

Many of the business owners and VCSE leaders I work with initially feel embarrassed or even ashamed to have reached out to me for help. They think they should have all the answers or know exactly what to do next.

Other clients are hesitant for others to know they’re working with me. Why? Because they’re experts in their own fields. They're strategists, managers, or seasoned entrepreneurs. And they feel uneasy admitting they don’t have it all figured out.

I completely understand because I've been there myself. (Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you.)

When I transitioned from my corporate career over a decade ago - Jeez I'm knocking on! - I had a solid track record in team coaching and business development. (I once won an award from LSE for a business plan I helped create!) But when it came to growing my own business, I felt lost - more lost than I’d ever felt before. The frustration of not having all the answers and the shame of feeling inadequate almost derailed me.

Take it from me, that sense of failure and self-doubt can rob you of your confidence. You start to wonder, 'If I can't solve this, why should anyone trust me to lead my own business?' Asking for help felt like admitting defeat. I worried that others would see me as less capable.

But the truth is, even the most accomplished business owners can struggle to see their own blind spots. We’re often too close to our own challenges to see the way forward clearly. After all, you can't read the label when you're stuck in the jar. The added pressure of feeling like you should know what to do only makes things harder.

Here’s the reality: nobody has all the answers. No one. And there’s no shame in that. Business growth is a constant journey of asking the right questions, experimenting, and being willing to seek help when needed.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about your next move, know that you’re not alone. Many before you have felt the same way - me included. I know first hand how transformative a fresh perspective can be.

So, do what I did. Let go of any pride or embarrassment holding you back. Take this opportunity I'm offering you, and let's sit down for a virtual coffee and have a judgment-free conversation about where you are, where you want to go, and how we can get there together.

Your business deserves the best shot at success - don’t let fear or pride stand in the way.

With honest intention, Lucy. ??

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