The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 30: April/May 2017 | Page 14

PERSONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

SQUARE PEG, ROUND PEG, SQUARE HOLE, ROUND HOLE

By Halina Jaroszewska
Why do we cling to a fixed mindset re leadership? What assumptions guide our judgement? How do we allow ourselves to see the spin versus the reality? Why do we give permission to impose the square peg or the round peg when the other would be the perfect fit?
Halina Jarowszewska
Great questions? Uncomfortable questions? Challenging questions? Disruptive questions?
“ Square peg in a round hole” is an idiomatic expression describing the unusual individualist who could not fit into a niche in his / her society. The metaphor came from Sydney Smith’ s lecture“ On the Conduct of the Understanding”, for the Royal Institution in 1804 – 06.
A square peg in a round hole is‘ a person whose character makes them unsuitable for the job or other position they are in’( Cambridge Advanced Learner’ s Dictionary & Thesaurus).
Interesting that it is the individual described as in the wrong rather than the society or job or position.
What if we found the round hole for the round peg and the square hole for the square peg? If we enabled, encouraged and expected everyone to celebrate their natural abilities and unique potential? Rather than enabling, expecting, encouraging people to force themselves, like Cinderella’ s step sisters, into shoes that are absolutely the wrong fit.
How much do we give permission to toleration of what we know doesn’ t fit? How often do we as leaders stop to encourage people around us to be brave and ask this question
–“ what do you think I might know that could help you?” If we realised how much we perpetuate what isn’ t right especially when it’ s there in front of us, would we stop? What might we do differently? How might we shift our thinking? What if we decided to have a monogamous affair with reality, choosing not to cheat on reality? What difference might that make to leadership? Everyone is exceptional if we bother to let go of received wisdom and truly see the talent and potential of people. It’ s that round peg / square peg again.
Think how effective it would be if those in leadership roles 360’ d their approach to be curious about whom they really had in their team / organisation / board / stakeholders rather than who they think they have.
Smart Coaching & Training have some fabulous ways of helping leaders have their square pegs and round pegs in the right holes, so their people shine.
For more info: www. smartcoachingtraining. co. uk
@ SCT4success

THE THREE LEVELS OF YOUR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

By Ellis Bardsley
Our business is the answer to the future we want! Why do so many business owners find themselves the owner of a heavy, demanding job that in reality pays them an hourly rate that is lower than what they pay their staff?
Ellis Bardsley
Level 3 business owners have vision and inspiration. Membership of the Level 3 club means freedom of choice over when you work and on what. They no longer exchange their time for money they exchange money for other people’ s time, hence their business‘ works without them’ day to day.
They truly own a business; it’ s a systemised, leveraged, well marketed organisation managed by a strong team. As the master of the business they know their time must
be invested not spent. They work ON not just IN their business.
Level 2 is a‘ round-a-bout’! It’ s a good place to be, but it’ s hard work! The level 2 owner runs fast, every day, often just to meet payroll and other commitments.
The weight on a Level 2 owner’ s shoulders is heavy. Danger is everywhere; the economy, worry, fear, cash flow pressures, etc. Fear of risk and failure are real and magnified at Level 2 and the pressure is significant.
Level 1 is about survival and desperation! Feast and famine are often present and this business owner is 100 % IN their business. They can see the future they want, but progress is slow or limited and there is a mountain of“ how do I get there?” questions.
Level 1 businesses should learn to become masters of themselves and their business, remove chaos and understand how to develop sustainable cash-flow through sales growth via targeted marketing.
Level 2 businesses have to step away, invest time in their personal development and work increasingly ON their business to structure it for Level 3.
Every business and its owner has the potential to reach Level 3. Understand where you are, redefine your dreams and goals and build a plan that will structure you first and then your business for Level 3 business ownership.
For more info: www. actioncoach. com / ellisbardsley
@ ActionCOACHEB
14 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2017