What is it you actually do?

“What is it you actually do?” – I get asked this – A LOT.

People often start from knowing about my 17 year corporate career with the John Lewis Partnership, 13 of those being within HR roles. When I set up my own business in 2018, I knew I wanted to drop some of the broader HR stuff and work solely in the culture, behaviour and relationships space.

This time last year, I probably would have talked in broad terms about helping build great workplace cultures, re-setting teams after or during periods of change or growth, building connection between management and teams, and helping with internal conflict. Through my work last year, starting to support small business owners and solopreneurs as well as larger organisations, I have found some new language and connection to the impact I want to make for and with people.

I believe as humans we are all looking for meaning in what we do, and connection to others while we do it. So it makes sense to me that these are important and vital aspects within the world of work too. At ConnectUp, the brand is all about building Connected, Intentional and Authentic work and workplaces. If we feel connected to WHAT we do (understanding how what we do makes a difference to success and where it ‘fits’) and connected TO those around us (functional relationships, a sense of belonging and healthy conflict) we are not only going to be happier and healthier, but we are going to be more productive too.

Whether you are a leader with a team, a business owner, looking to develop your side-hustle or an individual looking for support, I can help.

I feel passionate about this – it’s not just a job for me – and I am determined to make an impact.

I’ve written before about looking ahead to this time next year and my planning for where I want to be then. What might I say I “actually do” when asked in 2022? What do I want that to look like?

What is it you actually do? Or to put it another way, if you looked back from this time next year, what is it you hope to have actually DONE?

Some questions to provoke thinking and gain some clarity:

If you are a leader of people:

• It’s likely you have been or are going through substantial change. How are people feeling?
• Have you asked them?
• How are you planning to bring people together meaningfully (virtually and/or physically) and what is the intent sitting behind that time together?
• Do people feel really clear on what is expected of them?
• How is trust?
• Are the team/s galvanised and moving forward together?

If you are a business owner or looking to build a business this year, ask yourself:

• Are you really clear on what you intend to achieve this year?
• What does success look like, uniquely for you?
• Who do you need to hang out with, and where are they?
• How can you have more great days?
• What impact do you intend to make?
• Where do you get focused, meaningful support and learning (without having to wear your game face)?

And what about YOU? Have a think about:

• Are you equipped personally to lead yourself through this year?
• Have you shared your thinking and plans out loud with someone you trust?
• Are you feeling satisfied?
• Are you clear on where you are headed?

Now you know where you are heading, what smaller intentional acts can you take? I heard Jack Canfield talk recently about “The next 200 feet”. It really resonated, and I thought it may support your thinking too.

“Think of a car driving through the night. The headlights only go a 100 to 200 feet forward, and you can make it all the way from California to New York driving through the dark. Because all you have to see is the next 200 feet. And that’s how life tends to unfold before us. If we trust that the next 200 feet will unfold after that, and the next 200 feet will unfold after that, your life will keep unfolding. And it will eventually get you to the destination of whatever it is you truly want…”

Jack Canfield

In 2022, I want to look back and know I have made a difference to how people feel about their work. I want to be a go-to person for anyone looking to build connected workplaces and teams, anyone dealing with conflict at work and anyone looking for direction and support. I want to help build meaningful ‘internal communities’ in workplaces and supportive communities for those of us who work on our own.

For leaders: https://www.connectup.business/leaders/

For small business owners: https://www.connectup.business/small-business-owners/

For individuals: https://www.connectup.business/connectup/