I was working with a woman last week, prepping her for a series of humongous meetings at the home office. Important meetings, because she's been placed on notice that her performance is off. How could it not be? Single mom, kids, ailing parents, a department to run...and she needs to pull it together, kinda quick.
Hence, me. The executive coach gets called in.
So we reviewed the upcoming meetings and discussed her intentions about what she needs to walk away from each with.
We talked strategy, personality and past history.
We talked about body language, and how she can make hers open and strong.
We talked about being a listening learner, and making sure to stay engaged in conversations.
We talked about her wardrobe - not an inconsequential thing - and how she should dress similarly to the highest ranking women in the corporation to show she understands the rules, and fits in.
We talked about her word choice and how to sound more certain. We discussed who she admires (it's Hillary Clinton, fyi) and how she can act the way the Secretary of State might act in really tough meetings. [My motto has always been: fake it 'til you make it. Because once you've done the hard thing once, you can do it again.]
It all made a lot of sense to her. And then she re-capped: "I'm confident. I'm strong. I know my stuff. I am a good listener. I create alliances. I am Hillary Clinton..."
"...and don't forget your most important superpower...," I chimed in.
"My smile?" she grinned.
"Your joy," I replied.
Because joy is infectious.
Joy implies passion.
And passion is connected to excellent performance.
Which is, after all, precisely what she needs to convince them she can deliver.
So how about you? Are you using your own best superpower?
Are you letting your joy show in all that you do?
You can turn around even the most difficult situation - by turning on your joy superpower.
[cape optional]
