The other challenge Jacinta faces is debt
collection. It turns out she isn’t very good
at it. But she feels that as a start up, she
should be the one doing everything.
The realization that she could outsource
debt collection makes Jacinta look at
the challenge differently. A load is lifted
off her shoulders and she can focus
on doing what she loves to do which is
her specialization on finance and audit
matters.
Both are very broad areas as well. What
exactly does Jacinta love about finance?
She happens to have a passion for
investments and she loves to help people
make money through wise investments.
This is another aha moment, where Jacinta
begins to see that starting a consultancy to
work on anything and everything may not
be as useful as focusing on a niche.
As she understands her niche, she is
then able to put together a customer
focused package that helps a customer
with investment options and decisions.
But in order to do this well, she needs to
understand the intricacies of investment
and so she opts to sign up for an online
course in this area.
Salil on the other hand, wants to quit his
job. He hasn’t found another option and
has no clue what he wants to do. His
friends tell him to hang in there, but he is
fed up and hands in his resignation letter.
He feels he will get another job; after all,
isn’t he good at his job?
He sends out very many application
letters, but doesn’t receive any feedback.
He contacts a headhunter who tells him
his qualifications are outdated and his
skill set does not match the requirements
of similar advertised roles. He advises
Salil to go back to school and revamp his
skills and papers.
Salil is in shock. He cannot believe he
has to do this. He decides to take the
first available job offered to him despite
the fact that he is earning far less than his
previous job and the work environment is
even worse than before. He is blaming all
his woes on the current situation in the
country.
When we compare the two scenarios, what
makes Jacinta’s situation different from
Salil’s? They are both faced with similar
challenges from the environment. The
biggest difference is the mindset. Jacinta
recognizes the problem and has the desire
to do something about it. She is willing to
think outside the box, to understand how
to use her strengths and come up with an
action plan to manage the situation.
Salil, on the other hand is in denial. He
does not believe that he has a role to
play in addressing the challenge. As he
blames everyone else except himself, he is
blocking himself from seeing possibilities.
He also does not value himself as he takes
the first option available as he seems to be
desperate. What would you do if you were
Salil?
Share your thoughts. Drop an email to
me and three people will get a chance
to experience a virtual complimentary
coaching session.
Thrity Engineer-Mbuthia is a Certified
Executive Coach, Trainer and Marketing
Consultant. She has a deep passion for
both coaching and marketing and is part of
the adjunct faculty at Strathmore Business
School. She loves to help people transform
their lives by finding their passion and
purpose. Reach out to her on: Thritye@
gmail.com or https://www.linkedin.com/
in/thrity-engineer-mbuthia-440a614/