There’s not a dry eye in the room, which is not all that big a deal, since I’m alone.
But I’m reflecting on the conversations I’ve had this year with the prospects who did not enroll with me. Each person a brilliant light, underexposed. Mission-driven, an inspirational combination of business success and the compulsion to help more people. This newsletter is addressed to you, and to the many more who resonate with this:
I adore each and every one of you, and that’s not talk. I have gotten to know you, we have gone deep. I prefer it that way. Cut through the bullshit, so we can sell the truth.
“When I’m ready, you’re my guy.” “You get me.” “For the first time, I feel seen.” “I know I need to develop my Personal Brand.” “I need to do this.”
That’s not one person speaking – that’s several of you, sharing the same lines of dialogue, and not using AI. This is face to face (well, also face to Zoom). The “reasons” are too numerous to mention, from time, to money, to shiny object syndrome, and so on.
Invariably, we conquer the objections, because they are not reasons, they’re excuses. It always comes down to, “It’s not about me. I want to help others.”
I find it interesting that I go through a similar process when considering whether to enroll a client – why do I want to do this? The answer, beyond the fun, beyond the compensation, beyond anything else is this:
“Because they want to help people. And by helping them, I get to be a part of helping more people.”
And if you look at my roster of clients, it’s evident that ego is never the driver:
- A climate journalist wanting to reach enough people in time.
- A former corporate executive bringing peace of mind to leaders in crisis.
- An young enterprise consultant fighting ageism and guiding seasoned execs to independence.
- A film director compelled to champion diversity and share his knowledge with the next generation
…and on it goes.
NONE of my clients – NOT ONE – is motivated by the fame bug. It doesn’t mean a healthy ego is a bad thing. Or they don’t like giving talks. Quite the opposite. That’s why they call it a healthy ego.
It means that they are servant leaders. They’re driven to get out there and share their message – which is not about them!
If they were driven by ego, they would have enjoyed greater reach long ago. And frankly, they would not engage me – a guy who gets to know you and who deep-dives before even drafting a mission statement? A dude who believes that in order to succeed, truly succeed, you need two people: a winner and another winner?
Each of my clients struggled with the same thing you’re facing now: “I don’t want to make myself too big.”
Whether you realize it or not, that’s what you’re doing. Making yourself the problem, instead of stepping into your potential. If you can take ownership of your role as a servant leader, you can pour into yourself the love you want to share with the world.
I’m going to offer you the same advice I was given not too long ago (hey, it took me 50+ years to figure this shit out!). In discussing material wealth, I told a friend, “I don’t want to become an asshole.” They laughed. “You may very well become wealthy, But the one thing you are never going to be is an asshole.”
I feel the same way about you. And I’m here for you.
YES! to a big bottomless barrel of love,
Hersh
Don’t let ego get in the way of leveraging your Personal Brand to help others: Let’s talk.