How often do you hold off doing something because you’re worried about what other people might think?
Last week I went to the EEDA Ideas Exchange event at Newmarket. One of the impressive speakers there was Diedre Bounds who created an ethical travel company and sold it for millions.
When she started, she had no prior commercial experience, no money and no family history of entrepreneurship. But she did have a great idea and bucketloads of spirit. She also has good common sense and solid advice to share, some of which she learned the hard way.
Something that made me think was her advice about things that hold you back. Diedre made the powerful point that so often, when we fret and worry about what other people might think - they either don’t even notice or don’t remember the thing we’ve been so worried about. I realised that there have been times when I’ve not done something because I was concerned customers or prospects might get the wrong impression and as a result I’ve held back.
Now I don’t believe that we should be cavalier about our reputations. Far from it! We are phenomenally proud of our professional reputation. After all, so much of our new business comes as a direct result of what our clients think of us. But if you truly believe in the idea you have, the change you want to make with the business, the new look and feel for the website, the new way of working with your people … or whatever it happens to be … then take the leap.
Your employees and customers know who you are and if you make your move with the best intentions and with conviction, they will follow you. So don’t let yourself be held back by the fear of what other people might think
Article by Vandy Massey
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