See through the fog

My last article, ‘Get Your Feet Wet In the Desert’, presented the challenge to embrace uncertainty. Not making decisions rooted in our fears, and what will take us slightly out of our comfort zone.

Award-winning recruiter Chris Sale’s comment stood out: "Not convinced anyone wanted you to fail even subconsciously ... but probably for evolutionary reasons," and "... to push yourself when the easiest thing would be not to bother, is a muscle that needs continuous exercise."

I could not agree more; we need people around us who can help us exercise this muscle. We all need champions who are cheering us from the sidelines that open hidden opportunities we can’t or don’t create, or didn’t even know existed.

I have been reflecting much on what 2023 holds and how to transition from one year to the next and one season to the next. I am about to submit my assignment for my course at Henley Business School and feel a sense of achievement to have stuck to the task consistently over the last 15 months.

This is combined with a level of sadness, as a very enjoyable experience is coming to an end. I am now questioning what my next area of learning will be.

On a far more serious note, many people are finding the cost of living and their work environments difficult and stressful at present. I recently helped someone resign from a role where the environment had become so toxic that their ability to conduct their role was significantly impeded. The sense of relief two days post-resignation for this person was palpable. By lifting this stress and embracing an uncertain yet purposeful future, new opportunities are arising because the focus has changed.

I have faith in fellow humans that when these difficulties and struggles are sent to try us, our response can drive better outcomes.

It has been an autumn of rugby and being a Welsh fan is never easy, yet I am thrilled for the Georgian team as I believe sport is played on a field, not on paper, and a team with more hunger and purpose often wins. This is very much like business and career progression.

England women’s rugby union had an uncomfortable week. They were odds-on favourites a year ago, hammering the next-best team, New Zealand, scoring over 50 points.

Fast forward a year and New Zealand wins a dramatic world cup. What made the difference? Enter the fray Wayne Smith, who had been on the coaching team of the men’s winning rugby world cup in 2015.

Smith is known as ‘the Professor’ for his meticulous planning, understanding of the game, and ability to connect with players to build a sense of belonging. Former All Black?Justin Marshall shared a key insight into Smith’s approach to people:

"I was going through a bad patch, and he told me to go out and trust my instincts and be decisive – you need to trust what you do is going to be the right thing and if you do it decisively, you'll make good of it even if it's the wrong option, because you'll do it with purpose. That's the best piece of advice I've been given."

People make the difference, with the right leaders creating the right “followship”.

Whilst travelling back from Ireland recently, I looked out of the window and could see the London skyline, with an array of lights and much fog. ?

I was experiencing a sense of overwhelm.?I was searching for Canary Wharf as I had been there recently, for the first time in three years. There, even in the thick fog, like a shining beacon of light, was One Canada Square. It left me thinking that when we know what we are looking for, it shows up.

Taking the time to question where we are heading in our lives and career is a difficult yet worthy pursuit. I ask these questions of all my new clients:

·???????What career would you have if you knew you could not fail?

·???????What do you want to be said about you at your funeral?

·???????What is your career vision?

·???????What do you want to do next and next next?

·???????Who has achieved the results you desire?

It strikes me that those people who have the most enduring, successful, and enjoyable career journeys have worked out what they are brilliant at and what their purpose is and is not.

When I was an A-Level student, I was lucky to meet singing legend Sir Tom Jones, one-to-one. Even in an informal setting he had a presence, a real honest swagger of what he was and was obviously very comfortable in his own skin.

He likened singing to breathing, for him it is something he must do every day. He also knew his role; he is a solo artist, not a band member.

“I didn't like to be restricted, because when you're in a choir, you have a part to sing and you sing it. I always liked singing on my own.”

My challenge this week is to acknowledge what you are stellar at and what you really are not good at and to question what your purpose is. It will help you see through the fog and haze of 2022 and bring clarity for the months ahead. ??

Our purpose at Accelerated Career Results is to transform Payments leaders’ mindset, confidence, and results. For them to achieve their potential through the power of life-enhancing connections, shared experiences, and collaborative learning.

We achieve this by unlocking the ‘latent ability’ within talented individuals and teams. If you have found this article valuable, please like, re-share and pass it on to a colleague or to your trusted network whom it could help at this stage of their leadership career.

If you are a decency led leader, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have a challenge and want to work with a trusted partner, to [email protected]