Tilt the Odds in Your Favour for Success

Before You Step Into The Office

My latest book, Before You Step Into The Office, has been available for almost three months.

So, if you haven't already picked up a copy, head over to Amazon ASAP and do so.

If you need social proof gained from reading book reviews, then there are some lovely five-star reviews for you:

"Brilliantly concise 12-point plan for future leadership success"

"A no-brainer for new graduates entering the workplace"

"Insider knowledge"

The two biggest surprises from writing the book are:

Firstly, the seasoned executives who provided feedback felt they also benefited from the health check exercise. It highlighted that they should do more of the things that are crucial for starting leadership development early.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised - in my work as an executive coach, I have never seen Revan's axiom,

Learning >= Change

refuted in a meaningful way.

Everyone from newbie graduates to seasoned executives will find something valuable among the 12 principles in the toolkit.

Secondly that I have enjoyed delivering workshops based on the book. I have designed my workshops, Tilt the Odds in Your Favour of Having a Successful Career, for:

1) Summer interns - this sort of group is still at university and gaining exposure to office work for the first time and

2) New analyst classes - a graduate cohort that has recently started work and is undergoing its initial training programme.

Before You Step Into The Office is ideal for both audiences. For anyone who knows me, there is a reason I choose to work 1-2-1 with people. I historically have been at my best when I give my focus and energy to one person at a time. Groups can be draining for me. Initially, the workshop was an experiment that took me outside of my comfort zone. I am very happy with the results and look forward to delivering further workshops in the future.

The following Kobe Bryant quote resonates with me when it comes to this workshop experiment:

"I wasn't scared of missing, looking bad, or being embarrassed. That's because I always kept the end result, the long game, in my mind. I always focused on the fact that I had to try something to get it, and once I got it, I'd have another tool in my arsenal. If the price was a lot of work and a few missed shots, I was OK with that.

I never felt outside pressure. I knew what I wanted to accomplish, and I knew how much work it took to achieve those goals. I then put in the work and trusted in it. Besides, the expectations I placed on myself were higher than what anyone expected from me."

How many of you, my readers, are nodding along to that last sentence?

Let's rewrite to change the tense:

"The expectations I place on myself are higher than what anyone expects from me."

Oh boy, that hit the mark for me - my perfectionism trait being called out and having a spotlight shone on it.

And on that note, enjoy your summer.