training

,

Navigating unchartered territory

,

Image c/o @arvind.lakhani2

Effective leadership often involves questioning established norms and embracing innovative thinking. Leaders who prioritise emotional intelligence, and have a willingness to challenge their own beliefs are better equipped to inspire their teams and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of business. I think to move forward, leaders must challenge conventional wisdom and unlearn assumptions. Like an inventor or scientist, a leader operates in uncharted territory.

““Every great inventor or scientist has had to unlearn conventional wisdom in order to proceed with his work.””
— Warren Bennis

Reaching the next level of leadership requires deliberate effort, it’s not a natural consequence of time or seniority. Tenure alone should never be the reason someone holds a leadership position. Advancing in leadership roles requires deliberate efforts in skill enhancement rather than relying solely on tenure. I think that leadership training should be crucial for career advancement.

The distinction matters

If you are in leadership development, talent management or HR, I think it’s critically important that you clarify the differences in leadership and management. When designing leadership development programs, be intentional about whether you are fostering leadership skills or management skills? As these titles should be used deliberately and clearly so that you don’t use them interchangeably. Smart is learning, wise is unlearning and the distinction matters.

Healing and growth

I don’t believe we can become the people we aspire to be, or create the world we want and need, without having hard conversations. I think that you can have courage without being vulnerable. And we must show up and allow ourselves to be seen, even when the outcome is beyond our control, because that’s the true definition of courage. These conversations may feel uncomfortable at first, but over time, we grow familiar with them. After all, healing requires us to step into discomfort.

,

The next exit

,

I think to effect real change in the DEI space, we are going to need a two-pronged approach: legal solutions and a plan to shift cultural norms. Cultural change requires long-term vision and multiple strategies. Diversity training, when thoughtfully designed to address the needs of schools, universities, workplaces, and society at large, especially if it incorporates a visual component and is repeated over time has the potential to foster greater collective harmony. It can serve as a vital tool for advancing pluralism. Let’s approach diversity training with an open mind, recognising that it is a work in progress. While it may never be the most exciting endeavor, its impact could be profound.

,

The magic recipe

,

I believe documentary films can serve as powerful agents of change. A compelling story, well-told with a strong visual component, can provide a positive and accurate representation of a social group. When such films are viewed repeatedly over time, they become pleasant, accessible, and memorable, qualities that align with effective diversity training. One-off diversity training sessions alone cannot address the complexities of a fragmented society or the challenges of diversity. While no single approach is perfect, documentaries can play a vital role in helping us confront and make peace with the unfamiliar and uncomfortable parts of ourselves.

Framing soft skills

We also tend to assume that those who look or think like us make better employees. We believe that someone who went to a certain university will perform better simply because we don’t know how else to measure their potential. And what we are beginning to understand is that it’s not difficult to measure what truly makes a difference. It usually comes down to human skills, for example, persistence, grit, and kindness. It’s about people who can encourage others to speak up. When we bring together the right mix of individuals, they consistently outperform those who score well on these false indicators of success.

What’s missing from this picture? Patience, situational awareness, and the core of teamwork, which is the opposite of bullying. When we’re fully present, aware of what’s happening, and act on it, the workplace thrives. It’s far better than simply shouting, “March faster!” while oblivious to the fact that you’re heading straight off a cliff.

The starting point should be diversity

How often do you tell yourself that you are in your job because you’re the best qualified for it? We all know that HR departments have preferences and often make decisions influenced by biases rather than solely on talent. When talent acquisition teams, hiring managers, and HR professionals keep recycling the same pool of candidates, it raises the question of whether they have truly considered the best person for the job. Based on my lived experience, I do not trust the capitalist system to consistently allow the most talented individuals to rise to the top.

,

For what it's worth

,

The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
When it comes to sales, we should treat others the way they need to be treated. Whenever I lead sales trainings, I encourage salespeople to stretch themselves beyond their comfort zone and be kind to themselves during the learning process.

““Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance, and equity is being allowed to choose the music.””
— Verna Myers
,

Focus on creating value

,

In sales, our compensation is directly tied to the opportunities we generate and successfully seize. If we are not actively creating, capturing, or closing deals, we're not fulfilling our role effectively. It's crucial to recognise that our customers often find themselves in stagnant situations, requiring us to innovate and deliver superior value. As a sales professional our task is to navigate this scenario, devising strategies to secure meetings and effectively communicate the benefits we offer. I think your number one goal in sales is to make your customer as successful as possible, and if your motivation is to make your customer win, then you will always win in sales.

,

Diversity questions

,

I think that leaders create culture, and culture drives behaviour, and behaviour produces results.

  • Why is our diversity training failing?

  • What can we do to really drive organisational change?

  • How do we learn and truly embed change into our organisation?

  • When we learn about diversity, what are we learning?

  • How will we create a psychological safe space in our organisation?

If any of the above questions are reflective of what is happening in your organisation, please contact me here, or via e-mail to arrange a meeting.

““If you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have power, then your job is to empower.””
— Toni Morrison
,

How people think?

,

In today´s world, most organisations are becoming increasingly global in their operations, attracting talent with diverse backgrounds, skills, and competencies from around the world. To build a seamless and well-functioning team, cultural intelligence is needed to facilitate communication and collaboration. Our mission is to be the preferred consultancy supporting companies bridge cultural differences between and within markets. Would your organisation like to have a better relationship with your business partners or clients from another national or cultural backgrounds? Contact me here, or via e-mail to arrange a meeting.

Train your brain

We are not our worst thoughts that our brains often take us along by constantly pointing out the things that may go wrong, the anxious negative route which we all recognise is only because our brains are trying to protect us. Ultimately, we are in charge of our brains and unless you suffer from a neurological condition, you can train your brain to do whatever you want it to do. I think you can choose the narrative or spin that you put on any situation, as every life situation is basically neutral, and it’s just the perspective that we attach to it which gives it meaning.

,

Providing solutions

,

We are in sales because we are motivated by financial success. Selling is more than just transactions, it's a dynamic interaction centred on understanding people's needs, desires, and motivations. In reality, sales involve facilitating a connection between a solution or product and an individual or organisation that would benefit from it. I think to accomplish this, successful salespeople should delve into understanding their clients' perspectives deeply. As at its core, sales is an art form that combines understanding, communication, and persuasion. Contact me via e-mail for sales training and workshops.

,

Gathering information

,

Typically, our sales process entails a sequence of critical milestones. These milestones include gaining a comprehensive insight into the client's internal buying procedures, acquiring a clear understanding of the legal review process, and identifying key stakeholders while understanding their individual and business objectives and motivations. In order to navigate the inherently non-linear nature of this process, we approach sales and buying as a series of commitments we establish with our clients. This involves phases such as initial discovery, examining potential solutions, involving additional stakeholders, further discovery, comprehensive discussions, reaching mutual agreement on the investment, bringing in more stakeholders, managing conflicts, fostering collaboration, and refining the solution. I think at times, it may appear as if we are starting from scratch, despite being in close proximity to the finish line.

Learn how to deal with no

Human beings fear two things more than anything else in the world: death and rejection. And research has shown that people fear rejection more than death, this is because we are biologically and historically wired to avoid getting thrown out of the tribe, so we do everything in our power to net get rejected. I think we have to change our interpretation of rejection as our brains are always trying to interpret everything – What does this mean and how can I protect you? Unfortunately, the brain is not always our best friend, so we have to learn how to reframe the stories we tell ourselves. Contact me via e-mail for sales training and workshops.

““Asking is the beginning of receiving. Ask the question, receive the answer. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” ”
— Jim Rohn
,

Overcoming rejection

,

There are three ways we experience rejection:

1)    Real rejection

2)    Perceived rejection

3)    Anticipated rejection

Whether the rejection is anticipated, perceived or real, it creates an emotional response. The hardest part of the selling process, which is top of the funnel is interrupting a stranger and asking them for their time – emotional control in these situations is of paramount importance. I cannot teach you how to take away the “sting” of the client saying “no” when you are reaching out to clients, but what I can teach you are frameworks that you can use in context to control the emotion and flip the buyer’s script, so you can ask again and get what you want. When I have leveraged this for sales teams, I have seen results exponentially increase with the number of meetings the sales team gets. 

Dividing your time

Image c/o Harvard Business Review

Time management is the ability to use your time productively and efficiently. I have found that the highest achievers manage their time exceptionally well as making a positive difference in the people’s lives gives time a deeper sense of purpose. From my perspective, cultivating gratitude and being present in the moment allows me to appreciate the time I have. And I think the pursuit of knowledge and personal development adds depth and meaning to our lives. Contact me via e-mail for a 1:1 evaluation of your time management.

,

Maintaining inner peace

,

Sales can be a high-pressure job, and dealing with rejection and failure can take a toll on one's mental resilience. I think that failure is a natural part of the sales process. Rather than seeing failure as a setback, try to view it as an opportunity to learn and improve. Take your time to analyse what went wrong and use that knowledge to refine your approach and become more effective in the future. Success in sales requires a combination of mental and physical resilience, as well as a willingness to learn and adapt.

 

It's important to find ways to maintain your mental and physical well-being to avoid burnout. Staying physically fit can definitely help you maintain mental resilience. Exercise can be a great way to release stress and boost your energy levels. In addition, finding activities that you enjoy, such as listening to podcasts or reading books, can help you relax and recharge. Ultimately, by taking care of yourself and continuously improving your skills, you can overcome the challenges of the profession and achieve your goals. Everybody’s energy comes from different sources, I attend the morning Church service in central Copenhagen and I can highly recommend it.

,

Don't take it personally

,

I think sales is a challenging profession, and not everyone who attempts it will succeed. It's important to remember that rejection is a natural part of the sales process, and it's not always a reflection on the salesperson's abilities or performance. That being said, there are certainly things that salespeople can do to improve their chances of success, such as improving their appearance, communication skills, and presentation style.

It's also true that some clients may pick up on a salesperson's nervousness or lack of confidence, and this can be a turnoff. However, there are ways to overcome this, such as practicing sales techniques and developing a deep understanding of the product or service being sold. In addition, salespeople can seek feedback from clients or colleagues to identify areas for improvement. Ultimately, it's up to the salesperson to take responsibility for their performance and strive to improve. By doing so, they can increase their chances of success and minimise missed opportunities. Contact me via e-mail for sales coaching and training sessions.

Divide and conquer

Problem solving is the process of identifying a problem, developing possible solution paths, and taking the appropriate course of action to solve the problem. Problem solving is an essential skill in both your personal and professional life. When framing a performance issues, I think it makes sense to break them down into smaller problems and ask yourself the following questions:
1. Is it a skill problem? 

2. Is it a hill problem?
3. Is it a will problem?
Contact me via e-mail for problem solving training.