I’m Not Sorry

Like most humans, I am extremely confident about some things – and not so much with other things.

I’m cautious that my confidence doesn’t spill over into arrogance, and I cringe when I hear people barreling ahead when they really don’t know what they’re talking about.

Where is the balance to be found?

If I had a magic wand, the first thing I would change for women business owners is to stop apologizing – today!

You are not taking too much time, taking up too much space, talking too much, or overreacting. You are not “taking” anything – you’ve earned it! You are not too much, too little, or over-anything – unless you count overjoyed!

Simply put, the most powerful change you can make today is to stop being sorry. Changing this old, demoralizing habit will improve your confidence and change how people interact with you.

Clarity, preparation, and practice will build your confidence every step of the way and will ensure you are getting through with on-target messaging, not merely giving out information.

Today’s Questions:

What will it take for you to stop apologizing for every little thing? It’s a habit that works against us, as women.

But Here’s the Twist . . .

The skills and techniques I taught to political candidates are the same skills I teach today to women business owners. But communicating effectively requires so much more than learning skills. This is where women can shine, using their intuition and powers of perception, but they frequently struggle to speak up and speak out.

In my view, women who are technical experts contend with three significant communication roadblocks: perceiving nuance, use of language, and lack of confidence.

Without consistent confidence and communicating assertively, it will be hard for people to perceive you as credible.

The second swipe of my magic wand would eliminate the shrug and qualifiers: just, my two cents, and kind of.

For example, at the end of an important meeting, Jenny wants to add a new idea. She makes her statement, then shrugs her shoulders and ends with “just my two cents.”

She devalued what she said and did not project confidence. These types of qualifiers can undermine your confidence, make your message murky, and affect how others perceive you. We think we’re being humble, but we and our message can come across as passive and trivial.

The concept of credibility involves three critical elements:

1. Expertise – Your education, experience, and proven track record
2. Trust – The depth and breadth of applying your expertise
3. Dynamism – Your presence including your self-confidence, ability to engage with others, and impact of your message

People must perceive you as credible before they will buy from you. To get your message out to your ideal buyers, you need to talk effectively about the value you bring and the successes you’ve achieved.

Develop, test, and practice your anchor, origin, and reference stories. Nothing shouts credibility louder than great stories delivered with confidence.

Many companies in the marketplace are loudly and obnoxiously marketing services that don’t produce good results. Texans refer to these folks as “all hat and no cattle.” Unlike this “all hat” herd, you are delivering a valuable, transformational service to your audience.

-- Excerpt from Patty’s book, Your Hidden Advantage: Unlock the Power to Attract Right-fit Clients and Boost Your Revenue

Now What?

When you position your company as the solution, you differentiate your business in relevant and meaningful ways. Doing so requires you to be clear on the real value you bring to the marketplace.

And… communicating effectively and assertively is especially important as you position your company for your exit.

Learning and practicing techniques that build your confidence will serve you well in maximizing the value of your business.

In the case of your business exit, you're not just selling a company; you're transitioning a piece of your identity. Your business is an embodiment of your passion, hard work, and aspirations.

Have you built a profitable and valuable business but instead of feeling like there's something missing, you’re feeling like there's something more?

I specialize in helping women founders transition to their Third Act – when you’re ready to do the work you’ve always longed to do.

Work that lights you up. Work that is your purpose instead of just a paycheck.

In my experience, women don't retire; they transition into a new stage of purpose and impact. Whether you are 40 or 60, the idea of retirement may not appeal to you. Just because you can retire doesn’t mean you’ll want to.

We can redefine ‘retirement’ and think of your eventual business exit as a ‘purposeful transition’.

Are you ready to leap into your Third Act and grab the whole cookie?

That requires a new way of thinking, new skills, a simple and elegant design, and an advocate by your side. Contact me to learn more. 

Discover your Exit Readiness Index™ with this assessment: http://she-exits.com/