Why do I do the work I do?

Because I've worked for leaders who didn't care about me and my development and I have felt like my work didn't matter and I have experienced my confidence dwindling away. I have been unhappy in roles and felt that I had so much more to offer but could not figure out how to move forward.

Alongside all of that frustration in my career I was raising two gorgeous girls and it was the realisation that I was being a terrible role model to my daughters that pushed me to examine my own behaviours, and explore how I was contributing to my own problems.

I realised that I was telling them that they could grow up and be whatever they wanted and yet I was persisting in a role in which I was unhappy and coming home and moaning about it. I was disengaged and frustrated, so why would my kids believe me about their own opportunities?

That was the wake-up call to the fact I was being inauthentic.

I started to carve out time and space to reflect on my values to understand what was most important to me. I explored my strengths and passions to reconnect with what lights me up. I examined the stories I was telling myself and uncovered how I could reframe those so that I shifted from being a victim of circumstance to a woman of agency.

I did these things one small step at a time over a long period of time through reading, attending courses, trying out new possibilities, and yes, working with a coach. I also accepted that learning, growth and development are never finished, and that comfort and growth do not co-exist!

I realised that I wanted to support other professionals to be better leaders, to be the leaders that they wish they’d had. To empower them to bring compassion, curiosity and courage to leadership, so they can collaborate more effectively and achieve better outcomes for their teams and organisations but not at the expense of their own health and wellbeing (or that of their team members).

These times no longer call for the hero leader who has all the answers and shouts orders at everyone else, striking fear in their hearts, they call for leadership motivated by love.

It is too easy to see all the reasons why we cannot achieve what we want in the world but when we challenge ourselves to see new perspectives and lead from our hearts we can open up new possibilities.

"When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realised in other people's hearts." Lao Tzu

If these are possibilities you would like to explore the let’s talk about how we can work together.

with love

Sue

PS. NOW is a great time to put in place what you need for success in 2024, so whenever you are ready here are some ways we can work together:

1. Bespoke 1:1 executive coaching over 6 - 12 months, to accelerate your growth and transform your capabilities as a leader. If you'd like to learn more about what is possible please schedule a call.
2. Connect with other female finance leaders in the CFO Women's Circle. You can learn more about this group here.
3. I love connecting with an audience and you can book me as a speaker for your next conference, for some examples of my keynotes click here.
4. People are your greatest asset in business so invest in developing your team by bringing them together for a workshop to improve their engagement and effectiveness - send me an email to [email protected]