Keep It Real

One of the professional organizations to which I belong had as its theme a few years ago: Keep It Real. It was meant to encourage us members to truly be experts in what we proclaim to be and do. To be honest, when I first heard the theme, I thought: Boring! However, over the past several months, I’ve come to appreciate it.

With the business environment continuing to be a challenge, it’s been interesting to note the validity of Warren Buffet’s famous saying: “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.”

I vividly remember, as I was wrapping up a training program a few years ago, one of the participants said, “You actually know this stuff don’t you? You actually do what you’re training us to do.” I looked at her and initially thought, “Well, yeah.” But then I realized, “Oh my gosh! They must have had others stand in front of them who didn’t know what they were talking about!”

For the first time in 22 years of business, I’ve also experienced a client blatantly lie to me. His business is in a desperate state, but his actions are what are concerning. He’s not handling the situation as a courageous leader would. He’s not respecting the business relationships that have supported him over the years. He’s breaking trusts and relationships. He’s killing his business.

There are far too many innocent victims of these troubled times. Yet there are many organizations and professionals who have been getting by, and as the economy has continued to pose challenges, are now being severely tested. When the economy was strong, it was relatively easy to hype less-than-excellent products or services.

But as the marketplace looks to make decisions more and more on legitimate value, how will your company stack up?

Will your past customers continue to be future customers?

Will your business colleagues and supporters continue to support you?

Have you proven that your products or services have been and will continue to be ‘worth it?’

If your answer is “No,” now’s your chance to revamp. Challenging times are often the best times to revisit how and why you do what you do.

During your review process, it’s also the right time to ask,

“What am I doing to ensure I continue to earn the trust and respect of my business colleagues and supporters?”

“How have we demonstrated our character as leaders and an organization during these difficult times?”

“If we were good before, what can we do to be even better for our customers going forward?”

So, how good are you and your company at doing what you say you do? In tough times and bad, do you Keep It Real?

Liz supports clients with strategic and succession planning, as well as leadership training and executive coaching.

Liz Weber CMC CSP

Liz Weber coaches, consults, and trains leadership teams. She specializes in strategic and succession planning, and leadership development.

Liz is one of fewer than 100 people in the U.S. to hold both the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designations.

Contact Liz’s office at +1.717.597.8890 for more info on how Liz can help you, or click here to have Liz’s office contact you.

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