The next step
Two months ago, to the day, I stood facing a fork in the metaphorical road. One path was familiar: I’d walked versions of it for over 20 years, achieving reasonable success, growing a suite of skills, and, most importantly, building and nurturing lasting relationships. The other path was less familiar — foreign, even. I’d only ever admired others as they navigated it.
Naturally, I took a few steps along the well-trodden path, meeting with the right people and exploring opportunities in people leadership, strategy, and systems-level impact — roles that aligned with my passions and strengths but were hard to find at the moment. Yet, as I dabbled, I felt something crucial was missing: the spark, the fervour with which I’ve always approached meaningful things in my life.
That’s when I turned to the other path. The unknown. The path that was new, exciting, and, frankly, a little scary: building my own leadership coaching and facilitation business. It felt bold, uncharted — and, as I shared the idea with people who knew me, it became clear that this was my calling. I’d always loved supporting others’ development, seeing them grow and flourish. While my leadership roles afforded me this opportunity, the other path offered more influence, more impact. This wasn't the easy path, but it was the one that called me to fulfill my purpose: to be in service of others, fulfill my responsibility and influence others. So…
I took the next step and Next Step Leadership was born.
Just as I had contemplated on my own purpose, my own values and my own strengths, I knew there were so many others who needed this clarity too. I describe myself as having a non-dominant voice and yet I know from personal experience and observations of others like me, our voices are as important as the more dominant ones, the more confident and assertive ones. In fact, I’ve often observed when, after the usual suspects have had their say and the status quo is about to prevail, a hand is half-raised from the back of the room. If noticed and given the floor, the thought shared is often seen as novel or “a different way of thinking”, “interesting”, “insightful”. The non-dominant voice through which that thought was shared is sadly in the minority. There are far too few non-dominant voices at those decision-making tables or, even if they are there, they’re not seen or heard. As a result, far too many decisions are made without those insights at hand and we end up with vanilla outcomes, regular corporate pathways and the same rhetoric which, in an increasingly uncertain and complex world, is just not good enough.
I recently re-connected with an ex-colleague who remarked that they once had that non-dominant voice and it sat dormant within themselves. Until they were invited into the conversation. When others found those thoughts not only useful but insightful and valuable, it made them realise how much they had to offer. Nowadays, they have people wondering how it is that they can confidently talk to others regardless of the position or role they hold, or how they no longer hold back when they have thoughts to share.
Each of us has been created with a purpose and a voice. If you, your team, or someone you know is ready to uncover their purpose or amplify their voice, reach out and let’s take that step together.
