The Talent Initiative

Recently I sat in on one of my son’s academic coaching sessions, we delved into the significance of asking questions. I’ve always been an advocate for questioning, perhaps because it has been instrumental in my success in recruiting over the years. However, for some, there’s often a fear barrier – the worry of appearing ignorant or inconveniencing others.

The coach shared a profound insight that deeply resonated with both my son and me. It went something like this:

“Have you ever been asked for help?”

“Yes.”

“And when you were able to assist, how did it make you feel?”

“Really good. It was great to be able to help someone.”

“So it felt good, right? You didn’t find it annoying or think less of them for asking?”

“Yeah, I mean, no.”

“Exactly. By not asking for help, you’re depriving someone of that same feeling. Why rob them of that opportunity? Most people enjoy helping others. Why not allow them that happiness?”

The grin on my son’s face was worth the price of admission.

It was a moment where everything seemed to click into place, like the sound of a penny dropping. Time will tell the full impact, but it was a perspective shift worth noting.

This conversation reminded me of a sales training course I attended back in the late 1990s, led by Brian Tracy. While much of the session was spent promoting his cassette tapes (a relic of the past, now), there was one takeaway that has stuck with me through the years.

Brian talked about cold calling, a daunting task for many in sales. Surprisingly, he confessed to loving it and revealed his secret: he calculated that every call, successful or not, was worth 25 cents towards his eventual success. This mindset helped him push through rejection and fear, focusing on the value of each attempt rather than the outcome.

Recently, I’ve been applying this proactive approach to my networking and trying to build the TTI. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to me, I’m reaching out, asking questions, and offering ideas to organisations where I believe I can make a difference. Yes, the timing is tough, and rejection is inevitable, but what’s the worst that can happen? I’ll get a “no” or a “not right now”? Well, as Brian would say, “Thanks for the 25 cents.”

I’m excited about the pipeline we’ve built now and cannot wait to deliver some great outcomes for my clients!