“Surround yourself with those who only lift you higher.”
Oprah Winfrey
On Saturday, I found myself in the radio studios of RTE (Ireland’s National Broadcaster) talking with Richard Curran, the host of one of Ireland’s top business radio shows, The Business.
Myself and the other guest, Finola Howard had been briefed about the planned discussion but just like business and life, things don’t always go to plan.
Why? Because the conversation took a completely different direction to what we’d been told it would.
The audience of course didn’t know this but it’s interesting because in that moment of change you don’t know what’s coming at you.
And the first question fired at me was interesting because the host said that one of the top entrepreneurs in Ireland, Michael O’Leary CEO of Ryanair, thinks that consultants are a waste of time and money.
‘As a consultant and coach, what would you say to that Shane?’
Enter Shane off the cuff…
My answer may not have been my best one but as I reflected afterwards I remembered all of the significant changes in my life and business have come following help or guidance from other people.
I had to take action but others were guides. Others helped me to see things. Others contributed to my growth.
And today, I am very fortunate to have people in my life that challenge me, question me, and make me look in directions I never would have – and all for my success in business and life. But it starts with me being open to other people’s opinions.
No one person has all the answers and I believe one of the key skills in life and leadership is to surround yourself with smart people who have different experience and expertise to you – so that they can help you see things you would otherwise miss.
Thank You
As we move into the Christmas period, I want to say thank you to those people that have helped and continue to help me.
And a great question to consider for next year is:
To move towards my goals, who are the people I need around me? (Skills, experience, attitude)
You can listen to the radio interview here.
Best,
Shane
ps – I also think that Michael O’Leary could have prevented some of his current issues in Ryanair from being open to listening to external people…
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