Looking to succeed? What questions are you asking yourself?
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT – THE PATH TO INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL TRANSFORMATION
I recall a couple of years ago, at a networking event, an insurance business owner was complaining about the market crisis, the new governmental health policies and how they were being disruptive to his business for the last 4 to 5 years. He went on saying how difficult it was those days to sell a health insurance, a house insurance or even a car insurance because clients cared only about price having no interest in quality or reliable service.
– “There is no loyalty anymore”! he said, – “And with small businesses disappearing every day, it is getting harder and harder to sell insurances… this is a big problem for me and my business… small businesses used to be a very important market for me”. He was upset about his situation and very concerned about his future.
As a personal and professional leadership coach with an extensive background in business and in the corporate world, I couldn´t help asking… “If the market changed that much, what are you doing differently to promote your business and your services in this new environment?”
He looked at me as if I had just arrived from planet Mars and said: – “There is nothing I or anyone can do, you don´t understand… this is a cycle and until this goes up again there is nothing we can do”!
I didn´t want to be unpleasant but I had to know more… so I asked in a very kind and compassionate way: – “If this is a cycle and it will take time to recover, how long are you willing to wait? How long can you sustain your business”?
He looked again at me and after recognizing a genuine and sincere concern for his situation, he answered: – “I don´t know…”
I went on a little further… – “If this will take a long time to recover and you don´t foresee any positive evolution in the next few years, have you thought of doing something else?” He answered: – “No, I haven’t”.
I continued: – “Maybe applying all your knowledge, your contacts, your experience in a different business or a different business model?” … He answered again: – “No, I haven´t thought about any of that” …
I said: “What about your exit plan? Would now be a good moment to launch it?” He answered very slowly: – “I don´t have an exit plan… and he added in a low tone…you ask very good questions…”
The quality of your questions will be determinant to the success and the fulfillment of your life, and whether you’re looking to succeed or not. If you get to a place where you keep repeating the same patterns and not getting the results you want…. ask yourself different questions or… get a leadership coach to do that for you!
Cristina da Costa is a Personal & Professional Leadership Developer and Coach based in Atlanta, USA.
