The Only Cultural Transformation Program That I have Ever Seen Work.
Last Monday I had the great pleasure of sitting down with two committed and powerful women representing a large international company in their Sydney office. My wonderful PA Melinda took their call two weeks earlier and arranged the appointment. She said, “I think you should go and see these people, they asked for you by name and they sound really good.”
So off I went, full of enthusiasm and expectation to the appointment. Now this is a really serious company with multiple levels of security at the front door, wiz bang scanning and appointment checking, all the stuff that truly big business has.
As I am going up in the lift I am wondering about how we got the appointment. Who in the world has recommended me so that the doors of this big company are opening for me. Well we shook hands and sat down in one of those glass bowl meeting rooms. We did the card exchange ritual and I couldn’t wait.
Bursting with expectation and wondering what had been said about me and my work I seized the moment and asked…
“So before I start, who has said what about me and my work that has you want to see me?” What happened next was one of those magic moments in business we all wait for. One of the women said,
“We have a guy working here in one of our senior roles and he said that you had run the only cultural transformation program that he has ever seen work.”
I said “Wow, did he really say that!”
So then I asked his name and recognised it immediately. Ten years ago David was a junior executive working with a large IT company in North Sydney. I can’t wait to catch up on the past 10 years of our lives and thank him sincerely for the referral.
Just filling in the past ten years will be fun. We will be sharing funny stories about what happened then and also about how the work we did has changed both of us.
Now let me tell you what the point is of telling you this other than to brag about my 10 year’s on referral.
Do the work you love and love your work. This will enable you to build a business that stands the test of time. Right from 1989 to the present day my life’s work has been dedicated to changing people in business, one conversation and one business at a time.
David’s referral this week reminded of the importance of finding my passion and sticking to it. I’m looking forward to hearing his story of how the work I do has transformed his life.
From the outside looking in it may seem easy and that I am lucky in having built a training business that I am immensely proud of.
Let me assure you the opposite is true. Just like you and the thousands of people I have worked with over the years. It has been very tough at times to meet my mortgage payments, find the money for my staff pay roll and hold onto my commitment.
My message for you today is…
Live long in the “David” moments of joy and recognition for a job well done.
Stay true to your vision even though it is not easy.
Because you and I have the courage to stand the world is a better place for us all.
Jennifer Elliott
Committed to creating extraordinary leaders in
business one conversation, one business at a time.
www.integrityandleadership.com
