Spotlight Insights: When Times Get Tough
In our Content in Business Spotlight Sessions, Anna Smith, Co-Founder and Recruitment Director of Beyond the Book gave this bit of advice:
“Stay true to your purpose because everything hangs off that. It makes decisions easier and spending money easier.
“Know that things don't stay forever, down-times don't stay forever. We have a little mantra here which is “there's never been a problem that hasn't been solved”. Anything in our lives - in work, if you think about it - we're still here. Somehow we solved the problem.
“Your ability to be agile has never been more important. We're in a changeable world, technology is advanced, we're all having to play catch up all the time. You need to be as nimble as possible. Various businesses who say something worked once ‘upon a time’ now sense frustration… “but it was going so well!”. Some people don't want to change their habits or what worked before.
“It's not your fault - the market changes. Businesses have to evolve and pivot. But still stay true to what you are about, and your knowledge and your value. The world has the ability to be more transactional than ever before. And therefore, demonstrate value - and that value comes from where your knowledge is greatest.”
I always say “A leader shows their quality not when times are good, but when times get tough.” Anna demonstrates a great leadership quality in being able to weather the storm and stay true to a vision.
It’s during tough times when we inevitably ask the question ‘Do I have what it takes?’ It’s through rejection that we ask “Am I good enough?” Even sending an invoice might prompt us to think “Did the work I do justify this bill?”
It’s terrifyingly easy to listen to these doubts and pivot - giving up, dropping your price or settling for less. Avoiding the temptation to make snap decisions is another sign of great leadership.
Yes, you will have to move with the times. You’ll have to adjust to market conditions. But sticking to a core vision and mission will enable you to make reasoned decisions.
Watch or listen to this episode of the Content in Business Podcast in full.
The guest’s quote has been taken from a podcast recording and edited for easier reader consumption.
