Hardwiring Accountability

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with many highly skilled professionals eager to leave the corporate rat-race and have more control and a better lifestyle coaching, training or consulting to organization’s in the organization development/effectiveness space.

Many of these talented and currently employed folks are looking to make the leap by arranging a smooth landing into a new career with minimal disruption to the income they have become accustom. Not impossible. Bless them.

I’ve also met as many individuals, if not more, who have already taken the leap into their entrepreneurial journey only to have significantly underestimated the time and resources needed to be successful as a sole-practitioner. Some are “unconsciously incompetent” in terms what it really takes to be successful in their own business, others hang on to hope until the very last drop of savings before seeking help or “rescue” by stepping, once again onto the gerbil-wheel of corporate exercise.

To succeed in your own business requires more, and different, skills than are required to be a player on the inside of an organization.  To be successful in today’s consulting, training or coaching market requires teamwork, collaboration, branding and an element of luck. (For those interested in special opportunity check out Knowing Point Partnership.)

Here’s my advice to those seeking greener pastures, the lucrativeness, freedom and lifestyle of being on the other side of the desk: Take careful measure of trying to do it on your own. In addition to a competent skill set, anyone venturing into this field needs to understand how to generate qualified leads and how have powerful conversations about their work that gets them invited “to the dance.”

If you have the passion, persistence and skills to be successful as a consultant, trainer or coach seek out and join an experienced team and avoid risking precious time and money reinventing the wheel. Don’t wait too long to affiliate.