Are you the reason you’re business is failing?

It has taken me 15 years, an MBA, starting my own firm, acquiring and firing partners and staff to understand one infinite business fact. Your gut is always right, no matter what situation no matter who the players. That knot in your stomach that tells you something isn’t right, never lies. So as I come out of a difficult situation I find that I am not doing something that I usually do. I am not analyzing my decisions or my actions, I am not second guessing my perspective and I am not punishing myself for having a reaction. So as I have finally become enlightened with this fact, this is what I have learned.

Your perspective is always valid

This phrase was said to me recently ‘Just because you think something does not mean I have to entertain it’ and you know what, that is entirely correct. But just because someone doesn’t entertain your input does not erase the value of it.  You were brought into the situation because they needed you for something, thereby giving value to your input. Don’t ever give that power up, your input or perspective are valuable whether your co-workers accept it or not.

You cannot take back words, you can only apologize for them

In business and in life, don’t fight dirty. Don’t use personal attacks and don’t say things that you will later have to apologize away, because you know what? It isn’t forgotten. While the people involved may move past it, the fact that you slung dirt will always be remembered. It takes years to build trust and a moment to shatter it. Don’t say something that diminishes the trust you have built. Your business is an extension of your reputation, treat it like that.

A good circle is a must

This echoes in every area of life, you need a circle that will tell you when you are drowning and when you are absolutely correct. These are the people that will see you through the tough moments, when you have to fight and you will have to fight. You will have to fight to prove what you already know. You will have to fight to build your empire and you will have to fight to be in the room. So when the bell sounds and you leave the ring, battered and bruised, this circle will hand you a beer and help you plan your strategy. And you know what, no war was ever won without a strategy.

So my fellow moguls, we know business is brutal and sometimes it seems like an exercise in futility. But you cannot quit, you cannot for a moment forget how strong and capable you are. There will be plenty of people who will tell you your decisions are wrong or your perspective is flawed and you know what? It may be true, but you built your business with your vision. So be true to it and trust it, because that’s how you build an empire.

Leona Charles

Leona Charles began SPC Business Consulting Ltd in 2007 to help businesses of all sizes get the most out of their performance. As a Six Sigma Black Belt, she brings a fresh and unique approach to Operations Consulting drawing on her 10 years of combined experience in law enforcement, government contracting, property management, customer service, non profit industry, and education.

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