We’ve spoken before, haven’t we about my lack of a plan, my fear of failure and that if I go public, well, people will know about the failure? You’ll be pleased to know that this particular ailment is getting better – oddly thanks to the nightmare that was 2020. There’s somehow an equality of failure now – when it’s so s^&* for so many, maybe being found out to be s^&* is the true great leveller.
In a year when you can only get it wrong, be on the back foot as well gaining some perspective on your own ego, you may as well put yourself out there. And that’s what I’m doing. Part and parcel of putting oneself out there is just caring a teeny bit less about what other people think. And with everyone so preoccupied on other stuff, I can be fairly certain they’re not thinking about me nearly as much as I am. (I know Your Own Place isn’t about me and that there’s there six incredible people, but trust me, if you’re a founder CEO it IS part of you!).
Happier than ever that my time is best spent on those that can be won over or are already our champions, (and not the 20% who for whatever reason will never be) it’s possible to be liberated. Once liberated, you can share and shout with abandon. And then listen – because that’s where the learning magic happens.
With our digital offer, whether our digital tenancy training, supporting our sector in taking their own training online, or our over-subscribed eMentoring Training, all last year I kept telling myself it was good. Damn good! If you follow us you’ll know the team are amazing, positive and that we push above our weight on social media. Social media risks being an echo chamber though, so how can we really find out how we compare, now that we’re being big and brave? We have to put it out there and then dare to ask!
So, I was thrilled with the turnout at a recent Homes for Cathy event. With over twenty housing associations in the room on a Friday afternoon we were already onto a good thing. There were challenges, niggles, questions and overwhelming positivity about our offer, our online skills, the approach of the team and most importantly, its relevance in the marketplace we’re aiming for – homelessness prevention.
And the best bit? Is that I have a plan. I’ve now spoken to almost everyone that attended and set up follow-up meetings, so I can really get their feedback, be sure what we’re getting right and alter what we’re not (or politely disagree). And most important of all this grownupness, is that it means we can reach more people with an offer I’ve known for seven years in my heart of hearts makes a difference – in the knowledge that by going public it will keep getting better!
