An Open Letter to all those in Business

We need you.

I know took a lot of courage to start a business and company. Remember that courage.

I see the long hours, days and nights, and even weekends you have worked tirelessly to make it happen. Don’t give up.

I feel the emotional up’s and down’s you felt whilst navigating the demands of running a business and company. It’s okay to keep feeling this. We are human.

I see you losing your sense of self and your leadership. It has always been there.

I know the sacrifices you made to build this business where at times you felt, is this worth it? It is worth it.

I see you navigating the uncertainty of this current situation and challenges. You have got this.

I know you have had numerous nights where you can’t sleep because you don’t know if you can pay your staff or even pay yourself. We have all been there.

I see you are trying to navigate all the grants, job keeper and so forth to keep yourself and others afloat. This is totally okay and embrace the suck of doing this.

I hear the stories of the heart breaking conversations around what’s next for you, you have to let people go or you have to shut down. You will get back on top.

I know you are that person that feels alone and has no-one to confide it. We are here to help. Many of us are.

I see you are at times at a breaking point. Take the day off. You matter.

I feel the pressures of keeping a business afloat when cashflow and your pipeline is tight. If you can navigate that, you can navigate anything.

I know the pressures of the people and their families you feel responsible for. I know they will support you too.

I hear you losing sight of why you started the business in the first place. Always stay true to your vision, purpose and values.

I see you feeling like a failure during this time. You are not. You a success. There is no failings, only learnings.

I hear you being unkind to yourself because of this situation. It is out of our control however we are in control of our self-talk. Be kind.

I know you backed yourself to start this business only to feel like it has been taken from under your feet. Use this time to come back stronger and better.

I see you being brave and strong for everyone else. Now is the time to be kind and brave for yourself.

I know the important times you missed with your family because of the blood, sweat and tears you are putting into your business. Focus on them right now.

I see you are losing motivation and passion for what you do. Your mojo will come back, I promise. Life isn’t always about dancing on rainbows and growing a business is tough. Stay focused.

I know you are afraid to ask for ask. Please ask for help.

And I know you have got this.

You are truly courageous because you believed in yourself back then. Believe in yourself now.

Remember this, starting, growing and leading a business or company is the toughest thing you will ever do. Navigating this is a walk in the park maybe with a few potholes we need to jump.

You will know that you will get through this. We all will.

Remember you are braver and stronger than you think.

You will watch any negative self-talk and remember all the achievements and successes.

You will use this time to be kinder and more compassionate to yourself and to others.

You can use this time to look at your business and company and think what you can do better or differently.

You will use this time to help others.

You will use this time focusing on what is truly important.

You will practice positive affirmations every day. You are truly amazing.

You will visualise success during and after this time.

You will use this time to revisit and revamp your leadership, business plan, strategy and culture.

You will use this time to be an even greater version of yourself and for others.

You will stay on brand and messaging and stay true to yourself.

You will use this time to connect with your network, customers and clients.

You will continue to communicate to those around you the purpose and vision of why you all do what do. 

You will start to put the oxygen mask on yourself first and foremost.

You will continue love what you do even though there are days which will suck.

You will stay focused on moving through this for those you love and your people.

You will be okay to say I am not coping and take a step back or ask for help.

You will not react to things that are not in your control and you will practice stillness.

You will come out stronger, braver and better.

You are a remarkable, strong, passionate and brave person. You run and lead a business or company. This takes an enormous amount of guts, grit, passion, determination and commitment. Don’t forget this.

Remember you are only human.

There are millions of people and businesses that are in our shoes.

If you can do this, you can do anything.

Stay Kind. Stay Courageous. Always.

We need you.

Sonia x

About Sonia McDonald

Sonia McDonald is the CEO and founder of LeadershipHQ and McDonald Inc. Sonia is an in demand keynote speaker, leadership coach and advisor, author and facilitator.

She believes we should lead with kindness and courage, from the heart, doing rather than telling and is known for her mantra ‘just lead’. She leads by example in all these areas and through her one on one practical coaching, leadership training for teams and organisations encourages others to do the same. Sonia has helped hundreds of people on their leadership journey to become the best version of themselves and in turn, inspire and bring out the best in others. Also she and her team have worked and partnered with a number of businesses and companies for over a decade build great leadership teams and cultures.

For more than 25 years, Sonia has been on the front lines of Human Resources, Leadership and People and Culture. She has held leadership positions worldwide and through experience, research and study come to realise what it takes to be a truly great leader.

Sonia has an ability to speak bravely and authentically about her own development as a leader, personal and career challenges in a way which resonates with her audience. She is recognised as a LinkedIn influencer and has become an in-demand keynote speaker, starts important conversations. Sonia has also been recognised in the Top 250 Influential Women across the Globe and Top 100 Entrepreneurs across Australia by Richtopia.

She is an award-winning published author of Leadership Attitude and Just Rock It! and writes regularly for publications such as The Australian, HRD Magazine, Smart Healthy Women and Women’s Business Media. Sonia has become recognised for her commentary around the topic of leadership, championing the up and coming leaders of tomorrow, advocating for women in business as well as building leaders in small business.

Keynote Topics for 2020/2021

Sonia will give you peace of mind when booking a speaker. She is a proven world-class professional speaker with the skills to “rock an audience”. Her energy, empathy, kindness, sensitivity, and humour will enhance any event she appears.

1. Leadership Attitude

2. Just Rock It

3. First Comes Courage

4. Courage is Impact

5. Courage is Purpose

6. Courage is Resilience

7. Courage is Kindness

Phone 1300 719 665

www.soniamcdonald.com.au

[email protected]

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