31.08.2022

Where People Go, Business Follows | Humility | Running on Empty

Hello there! Welcome to my weekly LEAPS. 

You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to my weekly Wednesday feature or our mailing list. Every Wednesday, I share 5 things using our LEAPS approach: 

Learn: something new or an idea
Energy: something that’s creating an energy and positive impact
Action: something to do
Processing: a question to consider
Shout out: something or someone that I want to celebrate or acknowledge

Have you taken the GLAS Understanding Assessment
and received your free report?

LEARN
Something Worth Sharing

Where People Go, Business Follows

Some years ago, I had the great pleasure of getting to know the board members of a #familybusiness founded in 1701. The business began by manufacturing instruments for surgeons, and the board shared the story of how the business developed and diversified because of the way people were living. By the 19th century they had begun making crude artificial limbs, and from the outbreak of World War One, they manufactured artificial limbs for serviceman injured during service. In 1945 - with the launch of the National Health Service - they changed their focus again, recognising that people were living longer and had poor diets. Today, their business involves improving the lifestyle of stoma patients, which led to the research and development of an entire range of stoma care products.

This example of continual development shows that by understanding the changes in our society and how humans behave, and adapting what you offer to suit, means longevity is possible. The company I referenced changed what they did, while staying true to a greater purpose of improving how people live. Being overly attached to what you ‘do’ - and sometimes how you do things - is a short-term view that will create issues in the future. The greatest research you can do is to better understand the market and its pain points, especially as we shift to a more experientially hungry market. It’s not what you sell them, but how you make them feel that matters.

I’ve got lists of companies that are over a hundred years old that successfully changed - because they understood what was happening to people and the shifts in society, and could adapt quickly. Often arrogance or fear are the things that get in the way of agility and resilience.

ENERGY
Focusing on an emotion or positive energy; a stand-out word / s

Humility

This is one of my favourite words - to be humble and have humility.

Based on the Latin word HUMUS meaning "lowly, humble" literally "on the ground". At its most basic, the word means "earth". When we are humble we come back down to earth, are grounded, and remember what it is to be human.

ACTION
Something small that you can do that might make a big difference

Ask

Asking for what we want isn’t easy. This can be: asking for help, advice, directions, to be paid, for a promotion, for recognition… none of them are easy requests. We fear rejection and judgement and yet most good people are only too willing to step up if you do ask for their help, advice etc.

The task this week it to ask for what you want, small or large - something you’ve been putting off perhaps?

PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)

“Are you running on empty?”

Burn-out was the theme of Arianna Huffington’s book Thrive. The opening chapter is all about her passing out in a bathroom and hitting her head as she fell to the floor - all because she was running on empty. Running on empty is terrible for a car, your mobile device, and most definitely for you. Where’s your fuel needle pointing - full or empty?

SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition, my gratitude or to be celebrated.

Tea and Toast

I spotted a sign on the outside of a church a couple of days ago that said “everyone is welcome…come in for a warm cup of tea and piece of fresh toast”. Now I’m not hugely religious, but I thought it was a lovely message. As I carried on walking, it made me think about ‘tea and toast’ and how they are often used in Britain to welcome the beginning of the day. More than that, I have been given tea and toast after each of my children were born by Cesarian section, and after my hip replacement. With each of those occasions I’d been nil-by-mouth for some time before the procedure and so the tea and toast tasted amazing! It’s not posh or elaborate - or even expensive, but it also takes me back to visiting my Grandparents and their toast was always the best. Just the thought of tea and toast is reassuring and warm. I only have butter on my toast, but there is something very special about it.

I mentioned ‘tea and toast’ to Will, my husband, causing him to reminisce about various ‘bed and breakfast’ accommodations that would greet you in the morning with a fresh pot of tea and rack of warm toast. In France we would exchange this for baguette and coffee but the sentiment is the same - and would still feel that it’s worth a shout out!

BONUS GIFT FOR YOU
This week’s little extra for you - from me

This week, my recommended book is a relatively new release - this is Energize by Simon Alexander Ong.

We have added a small fee for many of the downloads, but by using this week’s discount code of SUPERCHARGE22 - as readers / supporters of LEAPS (use the code before next Wednesday 7th September) - you can download for free.

If you’d like to discuss having your ideas, business or culture captured visually - you can also let me know via email.

*** ORDER YOURS NOW ***

Order Your Deliberate Year Calendar & Logbook Set

LEAPS is a process used by our team and clients all the time - and even my own family on a daily basis. 

I’ll be sharing a set of LEAPS each week with you and encourage you to do your own version:

• L: what have you learned?

• E: what’s your energy / feeling word

• A: what’s one thing you need to do?

• P: what are you thinking / processing?

• S: who or what can you shout out?