Platforms Only Grant Permission | Connection | Five Stars
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: an energy (good or bad) word and it’s meaning
Action: something to do
Processing: a question to consider
Shout out: something or someone that I want to celebrate or acknowledge
LEARN
Something Worth Sharing
Due to preparing for a couple of speaking commitments, I’ve been through a lot of my past press coverage and interviews recently. Given that some of the magazines are 20+ years old, I was delighted that I still believe in the same things I was saying back then - especially about the importance of people, culture and purpose.
I spotted that there was a common thread - beyond people - that ran through the articles. I was often invited to comment and participate on the likes of panels, talks, debates and judging awards. The headlines would often be along the lines of: ‘breaking barriers’, ‘doing it her own way’ and ‘…in a man’s world’. When first given the opportunity to contribute to press and features, I was flattered - but I soon realised that the initial approach wasn’t because of my skill set or what I had to offer. It was because I was a young female in the manufacturing and metal industry - an industry that was viewed as a male-industry. At university, I was literally the ONLY female on my ‘Industrial Product Design and Marketing’ course. Years later I joined Vistage - a peer-to-peer group of CEOs and was again the ONLY female in our group.
'I've been reflecting on this since having recently been the only female on a stage of professionals once again. But, this learn isn’t focusing on all that’s still wrong with that, I’m sharing how I chose to look at this issue 20 years ago and still choose to see it now. Being the ONLY female has provided me with a platform - an invitation to be seen and heard. Once you have a platform, you have to use the opportunity well and be clear on your positioning, purpose and impact. I’m grateful that the initial platform allowed me to show I was credible and deserved it. Think of it this way: “a platform grants permission to be seen / heard”.
I don’t agree with why I was initially given a platform, but as I was afforded a platform it was in my care and responsibility to use it well. This was all before social media platforms that anyone and everyone can use. However you come to have a platform - of any type - remember you have simply been given permission to be seen and heard. The important part is how you use it and what you do with it - it’s up to each of us to use platforms wisely and with meaning.
Think about what platforms you have - when you have permission to be seen and heard even just in your social circle - and then how you can make positive use of this.
ENERGY
An emotion or energy; a stand-out word / s
Connection
This week’s energy word is ‘connection’ - and came to mind thanks to a few lovely people recently.
The word is from Latin CONECTERE "a binding or joining together" and is formed from COM "together" + NECTERE "to bind, tie". Shared values are some of the strongest ‘bindings’ we can have.
ACTION
Something small that you can do that might make a big difference
Your 3 Daring Outcomes
I have no idea where 2024 has gone! But, at this point each year I start to consider and commit to 3 outcomes (sometimes 5, but no more). An outcome is really what you want to ultimately achieve. One of the outcomes I had for 2024 was to work with one of my favourite authors and thought leaders - Brian Solis. I was beyond delighted when this came true in September, so I am inviting you to think about, and write down, 3-5 desired outcomes for 2025. Make them bold, courageous and daring!
PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)
“Where do you want to go in 2025?”
I love this question as it’s not necessarily focused on just physical travel - but whatever your mind goes to in terms of ‘going’.
I’d love for you to send me your own stories / thoughts about this. Drop me a line with your answer / thoughts on this question
SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition - my gratitude or to be celebrated.
Warm Welcome
Whether you’re visiting someone you’ve known for years or visiting a new country, the value of a warm welcome is something to be cherished. In my career I’ve had cause to visit many professional firms - the ones with the warm welcome from a receptionist are not only stand outs to me, they set us the best environment for a successful meeting. We have visited Arizona in the States 5 times this year on business, and always received a warm welcome. A huge shout out for the smiles, open arms and everything else that goes into a ‘warm welcome’.
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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?
