Is success in the achievement of a goal or the effort of trying to achieve it?

Yesterday I received the most awesome and rewarding news from one of my coaching clients. It highlighted the importance of creating stretch goals when setting our aspirations for the next 12 months. It raises the question – is the success in the achievement of the goal or in the effort in trying? Setting the intention and creating action from it can lead to the success of the goal as a byproduct of our efforts.

We met a couple of weeks ago to refine her personal strategy map for the next 12 months. We explored her goals, purpose and aspirations. I encouraged her to think outside her current reality to what could be possible if she waved her magic wand.

I asked what her aspirations were around work and where did she see herself a year from now. Her answer was to be in a senior, regional role. I said great, let’s put that down on paper and she said, “Oh no, I can’t go for those roles because they are a level 6 band and I’m only a level 3”. I asked her why not? Where was the rule saying she can’t go for those roles? She said there wasn’t a hard and fast rule, but she couldn’t go for a role above her direct manager’s level. She had to work her way up to a level 6. I asked her where the evidence was to say that this was true and she said there wasn’t one, it was just her belief, a story she was telling herself!

After further enquiring, she settled on a more generalised 12-month aspiration of ‘leading with influence to create impact’. This meant her priority was to start exploring opportunities and the market to move beyond her current level. It meant that she would apply for higher level roles to gain feedback and experience without any expectation or pressure to land one of these roles.

We spoke yesterday and she proudly told me that she had been successful in one of her applications. It was a level 6 senior, regional position! It was a pinchable moment for her to be offered this role and a proud moment for me.

Reflecting on this story made me think of the African proverb “It takes a Whole Village to Raise a Child”. The origins of this proverb are debatable, but the meaning is not. Translating this meaning into a leadership development context, it could mean that it takes a team of people to create a leader. We need people who will love and support us for who we are and challenge us to go beyond our current reality. It takes a vision and courage to go on the path without knowing where it will take us. It takes a constructive, encouraging and a collaborative environment. It takes a cheer squad of people to cheer you on:

• Role models - my client had her mother as a strong female role model. Her mother told her to never be afraid for asking for what she thinks she is worth and deserves. As a senior leader herself, her mother had seen too many men ask for more than they were entitled to and too many women not speak up for their worth
• Learning and growth - my client invested in herself by completing tertiary education
• Support - my client’s organisation supported her attendance at our Compass – Visionary Leadership for Women program. They invested in her further by enrolling her in 6 months of coaching to consolidate her learnings post Compass
• She had a coach who challenged her limiting beliefs and encouraged her to set stretch goals beyond what she thought was possible
• She was willing to be open to change and explore unchartered waters

What are you doing to create the future you want and who are your supporters?

#purpose #values #goals #success #coaching #womeninleadership #achievement #collaboration #compasswomeninleadership #dattnergrant

Michelle Crouch, Dattner Grant/Compass - Visionary Leadership for Women