Do you ever wonder how you ended up where you are, personally and professionally? I think about this every now and then. And lately, working on the rebranding of my business, I’ve been thinking a lot about it.
I can say with confidence that when I was asked, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" I did not say "an executive coach and org change expert." In fact, I said "a ballerina" -- and I studied dance from age 5 through my college years (yes, really.)
So how did I get here? Looking backward, I can see the breadcrumbs, but along the way, things weren’t so clear. Read on, and I’ll share some of my defining moments with you. And I hope in return, you’ll share a few of your own defining moments with me. After all, I can’t imagine you said "I want to be the Head of Engineering" or "a CEO" (but maybe you said "President").
The toughest lesson I’ve had to learn (as a 30-year-old consultant) was proffered by one of my mentors. She told me, "You need to embrace your inner Lucy." It was one of the most important lessons of my professional career. Of course, the reference is to the bossy, advice-giving character in the Peanuts comic strip, written by Charles Schulz. And her advice was to stop trying to hide who I am and own myself fully. It was hard to hear (who wants to be called bossy?), but deeply important for my growth and development. Hard truths are like that.
Throughout my life, I’ve been a truth-teller and business lover, fascinated by how people develop and grow, and hungry to lead and learn, and make a meaningful difference in the world. So perhaps I’ve always been on my way to being an advisor and coach to senior executives.
Why am I sharing this with you? First, I have grown to really love my inner Lucy. And knowing myself has helped me choose how to manage myself. I want you to gift yourself the same opportunity to grow. Second, some of you don’t know me so well, as my audience has been growing (thanks, everyone!). I’d like you to know me better, so you can trust that I can help the leaders you refer me to. And third, I wanted an excuse to share one of my favorite pictures of myself -- taken at the (excellent) Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, CA.
In closing, I thought I’d take advantage of owning my "bossy" side, and give you some tips that have really resonated with me this past week:
Thanks for reading, for engaging with me, for learning together!