Be the type of person you want to meet

My writing is around leadership and is often focussed on how business leaders can “be more”. Perhaps some may find this post title a little “woo woo” for them, but hey, to model the title, those aren’t the audience I’m seeking.

The people I want to meet, to reach, to support, they understand that beyond their skills, tools, experience, who they are and how they show up are key to who they will meet.

Take this up a level and the same is true for any business or organisation. How anybody in that organisation behaves, how they “show up”, can at any time have a major impact on what other businesses will want to connect and do business with them.

As often happens, I’m spurred to write once again about this by several recent meetings and calls that reminded me of the truth, not only of “be the type of person you want to meet”, but also that the type of person you are being will dictate the type of person you do meet.

Today then, I’ll muse a bit and then simply link back to various posts I’ve made on this theme from the archives.

Two stories from this week from talking to friends and clients around business leadership.

First, a client told me that they had been approached recently for a business partnership. During the conversation, the person who had approached them told them that they had extensively “asked around” about them and their company. They got consistent answers back which had them know that my client and their company were the ideal partners. My client smiled and said to them that I’d told them that once they get themselves and their business to a certain level (both in how they show up and the foundations systems and structure of their business), then the phone will start to ring with people wanting to partner with them and even buy their business. Now it has started to happen for them.

The second example from a friend and past client who has found themselves moving upwards more and more in their business over the years. Right now they being considered once again for another elevation in role. When I asked them how they would approach this in an upcoming meeting, we talked about it and they decided: “I’ll simply be me”. After all, being who they truly are (and they are an inspirational and caring…