As a former detective, I learned two things about evidence.
One is the jigsaw puzzle: a single piece by itself means very little; enough pieces reveal a picture.
The other is the rope. One strand has little strength, yet as each strand is added, the rope becomes stronger.
Business is much the same.
Most people see the contracts won, the workshops delivered and the positive feedback.
What they don't see are the calls not returned, the meetings cancelled, the emails unanswered and the opportunities that quietly disappear.
When your business is built around you, rejection can feel personal. After all, you're offering your ideas, your experience, your reputation and your name.
Furthermore, if you choose to put yourself out into the world, to speak publicly, appear in the media, get on social media, or share opinions on difficult topics, you quickly learn a simple truth.
Not everyone will like what you have to say.
Some will agree with you, some won't. Some will make up their minds about you without ever meeting you. That's business, and that’s life.
Years ago, that bothered me. Today, it doesn't as much. Maybe it’s an age thing.
I see business as a challenge. I look for opportunities, make contact and invite people to experience what I do. Some say yes, some say no, some never reply.
I have a simple rule: three attempts, then I let go. Well, sometimes four, they may have missed one or two of the others 😊.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that the word no rarely means forever. I've had organisations choose other providers only to return years later.
At the time, it felt disappointing, yet looking back, it was simply their decision.
The experience taught me that rejection is information, not identity.
These days I worry less about closed doors. I've seen too many reopen when I least expected it.
Treat people well, do good work, stay true to your values, leave with grace when you're not wanted.
Then move forward.
Life has a funny way of weaving the strands of the rope together when the time is right.
Let’s talk!
Leave With Grace.