To all my female, control freak, weirdo entrepreneurs – I have a story to share.
You’re not alone.
I’m currently working with one.
And I love her to bits – here’s another reason why:
She gave me a huge insight last week during a workshop, about this very common trait that is a blessing and a curse amongst entrepreneurs.
Unprompted: “Can I just say something here?” She started…
“Eeek.” I thought.
Undeterred, she continued:
“I’m not the only person that struggles with being a control freak, particularly entrepreneurs. I think it’s in our DNA, isn’t it, to be a certain amount of control freak?”
She looks at me hopeful. Nodding.
This comment lands just before we start our session, our second workshop as part of her brand build, having gone through interviews, notebooks, me speaking with her colleagues, clients, friends, even me! We’ve already started curating her brand narrative and identity.
I look at her, wondering where this could be going, in anticipation. Am I sweating all of a sudden?
“And I just want to say to you and your team that there is no way on this earth I could have gone through this process with anyone else. There’s absolutely no way.”
I blink.
“Really??”
I must look perplexed, embarrassed, flattered and blush all at once. I’m no longer sweating.
What comes next I’ve noted verbatim as it’s important you hear her words:
“Yeah. Not just because of the level of trust that I have in you. But also you just inspire so much confidence because your process is so clever. It’s so clever. It’s so thorough.
For someone like me, who’s a real control freak, that is a comfort.
If it was like Wizard of Oz – like, you do a bit of work at the beginning and then “Ta-Da!!” at the end. I would not be able to cope with that.
Absolutely no way.
But because it’s like a journey where we’re doing chunks at a time and it’s like a co-creative process. It makes it just so much easier for someone like me, who is a weirdo control freak.”
I am quiet, allowing this to sink in as a few realisations fire off in my head.
It’s no news that women are a paradox – they are this AND that, they are vulnerable and immensely strong, they are kind and tough, they are the fast and the slow, the stability and the ease – all things all the time.
And so for female entrepreneurs that are willing to ask for help AND be control freaks – I can see the tension.
Much like wanting to make a difference AND make money.
These things aren’t mutually exclusive.
This client is a well-seasoned coach who is very experienced and supported many businesses. And yet this process of bringing her re-imagined brand to the world could not have been done in isolation.
I couldn’t even do my own brand on my own.
So, we look to help. We look for those that get us, that resonate, that can be part of our vision, even if only for a while – to walk with them as they carved out something new.
Exciting – yes.
Terrifying – absolutely.
Doable – you betcha.
What I loved about my client’s observation was about “co-creation”.
And THIS is where women thrive.
THIS is the secret sauce to why our process works, is “so clever”.
THIS is how clients move into trust with ease and grace and comfort and power.
This is all to say – that if you’re a control freak weirdo female entrepreneur that needs a partner to build something truly powerful – then look no further, welcome to the club, you’re all invited.
Get in touch to start the conversation – and bring your best freakish qualities.
Lauren