_{A Monthly Newsletter: August 2024}

Welcome to August’s edition of my newsletter!

Hopefully you are enjoying some vacation time over the summer months and taking time to rest and reflect on all of your successes and accomplishments to date. Not yet? See this as your reminder to take time to do this. We are often so hard on ourselves and forget to stop, look back and pat ourselves on the back.

Last month I enjoyed some well needed rest in Mexico with my husband Andy and two boys who as you can see from the photo, are taller than me now!

It was a great opportunity to sit by the beach and reflect on the gratitude I feel for my clients and the wonderful experiences I have been fortunate to experience since establishing my business. I have lots of plans for the next 12months but the key focus remains on thinking of ways to add value and support those I am lucky enough to work with.

Here’s to a productive and exciting remainder of 2024!

I was reflecting on the the Olympics taking place in Paris currently. It is a wonderful spectacle to observe, but it is difficult to choose which sport to focus on! It got me thinking…..this is a snapshot in time…and is it actually contributing to our society of instant reward and gratification?

We are told (by the commentators) that it is the end point of a very long journey for most but it does not show the years of preparation, training, sacrifices and battles with mental challenges (so do we choose to ignore that?). There is also another important consideration here. The athletes niche down and get really great at one thing (not everything.) Sometimes athletes switch sports and then focus on getting great in a totally new area…

So what can we take and apply from the Olympics to our own leadership development and growth?

These are the 7 key learning points that we can all apply to our personal growth.

1. Focus on the long term plan. Whether that is 5 years or longer, have a goal in mind and work towards that. It may change but at least start working with a plan!

2. Be prepared to expand your plan once you achieve skills in one area. Look to what is next and possible (the stretch.)

3. Keep focused on the end goal. Accept setbacks and challenges are part of the process and keep going.

4. Create and nurture your support team. Appreciate what others are doing for you (family, friends, coaches, mentors, sponsors.) The win is a win for everyone.

5. Notice how others are doing the things you want to do. What can be learnt from the competition?

6. Refine and practice all aspects of your leadership growth. The learning never stops.

7. Give back and mentor others. What can you do to support others wanting to grow and progress?

So what, you might say…

It is easy to look at the leaders or individuals that are ahead of you in your journey and think either that it looks straightforward to lead people (it’s not!) or to feel that you will never be able to do that role, or get that job you really want, because the challenge feels too great.

The key thing to note here is that it is work. It is not easy. Having a plan, helps to map out the ‘what’ but not necessarily the ‘how’ …and the how will be influenced by our own experiences and role models in front of us and the help that we choose to seek out. But its not impossible to improve leadership skills and business performance, if we are willing to take action and get the right help along the way.

Final Thoughts

The last important ‘take away’ I noted was the importance of rest. Resting between goals (noticing the horses happily grazing back in their respective countries after their equestrian events) celebrating, and taking time out before embarking on another aspect, in an important stage of the larger goal. If we miss this part, our energy and effectiveness in continuing with the larger aspiration tends to diminish….so make this part of your plan and you will ensure you are setting yourself up to achieve your goals and vision of the future!

Wishing you happiness and success in you personal growth (with a healthy dose of rest and relaxation too!)

ps. I offer free calls to see if I can help you. And I frequently offer taster coaching sessions if you are not sure whether its for you! Schedule a free 45min call here.

What my clients have to say about my team training and coaching!

Referring Someone in Your Network to Executive Coaching or Team Coaching Support.

It makes sense that you trust your colleagues and friends to provide great professional contacts. So, if someone in your network could use coaching support, please introduce us!

I’m very grateful for everyone who connects me with their colleagues and friends. Thank you!

Emma