Three things I learned from the Telstra Business Awards process.

In April this year, I embarked on a journey and applied for the Telstra Best in Business Awards in the category- Accelerating Women.

I didn’t fully realise what was involved or where it would lead but I approached it with a curious mind and an open heart and here are three key takeaways.

I can do hard things

Even when I least feel like it.

A Stage 1 questionnaire, soon became Stage 2 involving recording seven 3-minute videos answering specific questions.

This came at a busy time for me and my energy was low and I was feeling really stretched. But I pushed on and gave it everything I had, preparing scripts, practicing scripts and then recording the delivery. With only 3 attempts allowed per question, it was important to deliver with as much energy and enthusiasm, with a deep sense of conviction and a touch of sparkle. This focus and perseverance earned me a place in Stage 3.

Stage 3 is a two-stage process. The first stage is four 1500-word responses to specific questions covering everything from purpose and values to financials and impact. Stage 3 came right on school holidays and I had grand plans to complete this during that time, however, we were away from home and our young dog suddenly passed away in our absence, throwing me into grief. Needless to say, my intentions went wanting and I only completed one question by the time I returned with only 3 days left to complete and other work to catch up on, I was feeling under the pump. I got it done with a few tears and encouragement from my chief butt-kicker Bec Chappell .

Stage 3A success became progression to Stage 3B -the interview phase. Again, neck deep working on the needs of my business, I had an online interview to prepare for with up to 3 judges. There is no real way of preparing for this apart from being familiar with Stage 3A responses and being prepared to give an answer for anything.

This was a pivotal moment, I needed to bring myself to the interview with as much energy, personality, eye contact and genuine passion as possible, while articulating my answers succinctly and thoughtfully- all on a Friday afternoon! I thought it went OK, but in true interview style, the judges gave nothing away and in true Lisa -style, I had niggling doubts that I was good enough to progress to be a finalist.

In the busy-ness of life and business and all it has thrown at me in the last 5 months, I did it!!

I was announced a NSW State finalist in the category – Accelerating Women- one of six businesses in NSW for this category.

From 22,000 applicants across Australia, I was down to a very small minority and I couldn’t be prouder for persisting and continuing to put my best foot forward at every stage.

It’s true, from little things big things do grow

The awards process is a deeply reflective process.

It forced me to delve into the depths of how my business started and the purpose behind it. Not only that, but to express it in a timeframe of 3 minutes or in a word limit of 1500 words, it forced me to narrow it right down to the core of who I am and why I’ve done what I’ve done.

This was exhausting in the midst of everything else going on for me, but it was so worthwhile. This process made me realise that from a garage in Southwest Sydney back in 2004 as a sole clinician, I commenced an evolutionary and dare I say it, a revolutionary process of how I worked. I shook up the status quo of 9-5 office-based work and started a fully flexible, remote workforce- a concept often met with cynicism and doubt by my peers and my customers.

I then realised that there were other people in my profession, mainly women, who were not being afforded that flexibility by their employers, often forced into career breaks due to child-rearing or caring responsibilities.

There was a whole cohort of female professionals waiting to return to work because their bosses were unable to get their heads around them being able to work and fulfill other life roles simultaneously.

This worked to my advantage, as my workforce grew and has continued to grow and now, as the Remote Team Queen, I have the opportunity to have a broader impact for other businesses, helping them to achieve the same.

In a post-covid world where flexibility is now one of the highest job search criteria and our top talent is left wanting more as a result, it is essential for business success for leaders to stay ahead of the game and to learn how to lead effectively from a distance.

This awards process reminded me that from a small spark a big flame can erupt. From what seemed like a small crazy idea, a world of options was opened up for women (and men) who strive for more work-life blend.

There is purpose in pain

It’s always hard when you’re walking through a deep valley to understand why.

You just want out of the valley as quickly and as painlessly as possible and whatever lessons are held within, get easily overlooked in the panic, fear and heartache. The awards process forced me to stop, reflect, and articulate my why.

My business, based on a “crazy” remote team model was born from deep personal pain and questioning what my life was really about.

In November 2000 at age 27, with no family history, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer in my right breast. Following investigative surgery and pathology, it was discovered that it had spread to the lymph nodes in my right armpit. I was thrown onto the medical treadmill and whirlwind of fighting for my life. Mastectomy and nodal clearance, sickening chemotherapy, hair loss, radiation therapy, appointments, nausea, vomiting, pain, distress, worry, fear - mum nursed me through it all, held the bowl and my hair and wiped my brow, sat with me through my treatments - every single one.

And when it was all over, one month after I completed my final radiation therapy, in September 2001, she died suddenly, her job here was done. Why, I’ll never know. But what I do know is this. That experience, led me to question a lot and some of the biggest questions were; “why am I still here?” and seeing as I am, “What can I do to make it count?” and if I’m going to make it count, “can I do that while commuting 3 hours per day, sitting at a desk in a cubicle in a city high-rise 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, living for the blessed RDO and my 4 weeks annual leave to roll around?” My answer was “no” and I was determined to live (and work) differently going forward.

The awards process reminded me that through the deep pain I had experienced, I was gifted the opportunity to live with purpose and to provide the same opportunity for others.

Momentum Rehab (now Momentum OT) was born to not only make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve, but to open up opportunities for people to work AND live. To participate and engage in meaningful work AND life roles and activities that the 9-5 grind does not provide and (shock horror) still be effective, engaged, motivated and productive (What?!? Shut the door…)

Thank you to Telstra for the opportunity to reflect and thank you for the acknowledgement that my “second chance” life has made and continues to make a difference for women, their families and communities.

If you want to find out more about the work we do at Momentum OT, or even join our growing team, then you can find out more here.

We live by the value of making a positive difference in the lives of people. That’s our purpose, that’s exactly what gets us out of bed every day.

If you’re a business owner, manager, or team leader looking for individualized mentoring and support to help manage the unique challenges you have with your dispersed team, or if you’re a medium to large business or organization, I offer both private sessions as well as group training workshops to equip your managers and leaders in the new world of work.

With over 20 years of experience in doing just this, I know I can provide plenty of proven experience-based knowledge for you and your teams.

Find out more about working with me on your remote or hybrid team here.