Time Out for Reflection

Some years ago, I was interviewed by The Legacy Project . I recently came across the interview and am sharing it as a time out for reflection on #ThrowbackThursday because as coaches/mentors/consultants so much of our energy is focused outward on others.

The Legacy Project's 9 interview questions invite a pause for our clients (and for centering ourselves). I hope you find them grounding!

1. My Definition of Success | To me, a life without regret is a successful life. Have I invested time with people I love, have I given something back to the world, have I actualized my dreams, have I treated others well? These are measures of success to me.

2. I Am Driven By |?I am driven by a deep sense of justice – especially as it relates to the lives of women. This has driven me to pursue my own dreams and to create a company that clears the path for women in organizations to pursue theirs.

3. The Difference Between Good and Great |?I’ve noticed that people who are great at what they do also love what they do. They have a passion for and keen interest in their scope of influence. In one of my first books Build Your Career, I wrote about the importance of identifying your motivated skills – those that energize (not deplete) you when you use them. For me an example is designing a workshop as compared with balancing my bank account. I am skilled in doing both, but workshop design energizes me – balancing my account, depletes!

4. A Key Talent |?In my research into the successes of the Fortune 500 women CEOs, one of the most important observations is that their strengths differ. So, in respect to this question, my advice is to find your greatest strengths, identify where those strengths meet the needs of the organization or world and then learn everything you can to enable those strengths to shine. Success doesn’t rest on your strengths alone, but on the studied application of your strengths in a specific context. For example, if it’s business, you have to know the business of business. For me, this has meant working with my advisory board to focus my passion and creativity on producing strong business results.

5. Lessons I Have Learnt |?The lesson that I’ve had to learn (no one gave me this guidance) and that I champion to women around the world is that in the world of work, what matters are your outcomes – the visible way you move the business forward – and your perceived business, strategic and financial acumen. Career advancement rests on proven and perceived leadership skills and the higher you go, the more important are the ways you lead the business toward the achievement of its strategic goals – not only your skills with people and teams.

6. Performing At My Peak |?As someone with a preference for introversion, I manage my downtime to enjoy plenty of solitude – especially time in nature.

7. On Inspiring Others |?In some cases, great people have come into my sphere, seemingly an answer from the universe. In others I’ve been persistent in asking them in. I work hard to match their talents to the needs of the business, give them autonomy and recognition for jobs well done.

8. I Am Inspired By |?Anne Mulcahy, former CEO of Xerox and all of the other Fortune 500 women CEOs inspire me and act as virtual role models and mentors. Also, women Nobel Prize winners such as Wangari Mathaai and Malala who succeeded in spite of degradation and physical threats. The lessons about success gleaned from their varied paths strengthen the message that any woman can be anything she chooses to be – even in the most challenging environments.

9. The Legacy I Would Like To Leave |?I would like my legacy to be a clearer path forward for all women, everywhere around the world…and for my son to live a meaningful and rewarding life.

I hope you will invite yourself and your clients to take time to reflect on these questions and others like them.