It’s been 10 years that I’ve been self-employed. I started my company for the same reason I do my work today: to help as many people in the nonprofit community do more of what they want to do AND to have all the money they need to do it.
My niche, my gift, is to help people communicate differently.
My special sauce, so to speak, is helping people share powerful stories.
From the Girls on the Run Summit in Florida, July 2016.
I’ve watched hundreds of staff and board members relax and fill with excitement once they get a taste of my “special sauce.” They tell me what they learn from me is the power of finding a comfortable, effortless way to talk about people and money.
I absolutely love what I do. It lights me up inside to watch heart-centered, hard-working people learn new skills.
Part of my magic sauce is to make it fun for people to practice their new communications skills right away. When it’s a conference or a workshop, it’s easy to pair people up and give them two minutes to inspire their partner. Add another minute or two to share feedback with each other and fast friends are made with stories that inspire.
From the Girls on the Run Summit in Florida, July 2016.
What I found is that I can re-create this same experience when I gather small groups of people on the phone.
It’s been pretty magical. Four or five people can bond after just one hour together.
Nerves and sweaty palms can be detected even on a phone call. Stilted and report-like at first, the stories get more inspiring each week. The confidence talking about “the money” is always the biggest hurdle. But those that embrace the coaching and feedback, they’re the ones that soar.
Executive directors have used the stories they’ve practiced in my groups to talk with donors and secure much larger gifts. $5k donors have turned into $30k donors. And even a $300k contribution.
Board members have embraced the concept of storytelling by sharing a powerful mission moment at the next board meeting and creating inspired board ambassadors.
1.0 was working with as many people one-on-one as possible.
2.0 was working with more board and staff delivering action planning sessions each month.
While I still do some of both, I found the unique opportunity I can provide is creating a space for people to coach each other and work alongside each other from the comfort of their own desks.
And for us all to listen carefully and take courageous leaps to do things we never imagined.
And so, 3.0 is small group work.
This intentional and significant shift in how I deliver my work has taken me by surprise.
I wasn’t sure group work was as effective as one-on-one work, but I’ve become a believer. I had to get past my own fear of doing something new. Past my fear of giving up control. Past the uncertainty of not knowing where someone else would take the conversation.
I’ve spent a lot of time this summer perfecting the format that delivers. I’m really pleased with the results and incredibly proud of the work by the small groups who work together for 8 weeks. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 1 pm have become my favorite times of the week.
Oh, AND while working on 3.0 I took a summer vacation that was off-the-charts amazing! More photos from my June trip to Japan and Malaysia are on Instagram.
