Leadership Development Newsletter Week Five

I trust that my reflection on curiosity and self-love began the process of seeing self-love from a different perspective.

During the past week, I have witnessed the power of collaboration. Collaboration means different things to different people and may look different depending on the situation and the environment in which it takes place.

I define collaboration as one or more people working together to reach a common goal.

As I was speaking to my husband recently, I spoke about some collaborations that I was working on. Every time that I speak about collaboration, he just looks at me and would say “back in the day that would be competition, and no one wants to work with you.” I would agree that thirty years ago that working together would be a rare in the same industry; however, times are changing. People are viewing collaboration over competition.

I want you to take a moment to reflection on these questions:

• When was a time recently that you attempted to do something on your own that a collaborative partner may have resulted in a different outcome?

• When was a time recently that you participated in a collaboration?

• What did you feel when you participated in this collaboration?

• Do you feel things went better or worse had you done it alone?

• What was your greatest success working together?

• What was your greatest challenge?

When participating in a collaboration, I believe that there are three key areas to that at:

• How do this person’s values align with my own values?

• What strengths do they possess that I can lean into as gap areas for me?

• How well do our personalities align?

In the past, I have failed to answer these questions.

At one time during my entrepreneurial journey, I participated in a collaboration where my values did not align. During the collaboration, I could sense a scarcity mindset, a desperation to obtain clients, and need for financial benefit. As I was working in this collaboration, I started to notice that we were attracting clients with the same mindset. Clients wanted us to discount our program. The clients said that they needed the program; however, they were not willing to invest in our value.

As I reflect on this collaboration, I didn’t realize my own value at the time. I didn’t have clarity on who I wanted to work with and was willing to take any paying client. I, myself, had fallen into that scarce mindset. As we were collaborating together and I continued to maintain the relationship, I began to see where this environment was creating a downward spiral in other areas of my life. I began to question if I should have started to go into business for myself. I was questioning if I should get a job. I was attracting other clients outside of the partnership that didn’t value me for the services that I provided. I began to discount myself and discount my programs.

As a result, I am much more selective with who I work with in my collaborations whether in business or personal situations. I want to make sure that we have similar values that align. I look at my business partner as an extension of myself. I do the same with my referrals or connections that I make to others.

During this past weekend, I had a much different experience. I teamed up with three other people that aligned with my values and who take their clients, mentors, and team members on similar journeys as I do. During our breaks and meals, I sat back and observed a much different environment. I watched as business owners within close proximity of one another collaborating and helping one another. Individuals had their computers out sharing how they have their business CRM set up. “Competitors” talking about how they work together because their territories are close and they could refer their customers to one another if they didn’t serve that area.

The environment feels different when you choose collaboration over competition. I felt harmony and peace as I sat in the room. I felt a sense of camaraderie. I felt gratitude and honor to witness such an environment.

I would love to hear what you have witnessed as a collaborative environment. How is this different than sitting in a room full of competitors that only wanted to be seen as competition rather than collaborators?

Who are you looking for as a collaborative partner?

How can I refer you to others?

I would love the opportunity to sit down with you and learn more about you and/or your business. If you would like an opportunity to sit down for a 30-minute virtual coffee, I would love to spend some time with you. Here is a link to jump on my calendar. https://calendly.com/chele726/30-minute-discovery-call

I trust that you will click reply and I want to learn more about some of your collaboration.

May you have a blessed week.

Thank you for being on this journey to discover your own leadership.

Have a blessed week.

Your Guide,

Michele Coy