If you're new here, welcome! This is my Campaign to Inspire Women in Business. I've been encouraging my clients to discover their natural talents in business, the things that come easily to them and once found, to consciously use those talents in their everyday work. It's been making their challenges, issues or problems far easier to deal with. This Campaign highlights those women who are already using their talents to their advantage, hence they're experts at using their talents.
Today's Pink Expert, Kelly Watson knows exactly what her talent is – being a woman! I'm SO pleased she's the first to profile her femininity as her talent. Many of my clients struggle to do things the same way as their male counterparts, to think like them, act like them and behave like them – listen up – we're not them! It's like asking a cat to act like a dog, or a dog to act like a cat – awkward, slightly silly and not very effective! Kelly will tell you more...
1. What talent do you naturally have that makes you successful?
My talent is BEING A WOMAN. OK, that's not really a talent, but let me explain. When I first started out in marketing, it seemed like being a woman was a liability. The field was very male-dominated and everyone had a very masculine way of doing things: cold, impersonal, always focused on money ... I could give you a hundred examples.
I spent over a year trying to adapt and be more like the men I worked with until it dawned on me that being different wasn't necessarily bad. As a woman, I have a much easier time building strong customer relationships, connecting with people on an intimate level, reading body language, and so much more. Honoring these strengths has given me quite an advantage in the workplace.
2. When did you first realise that talent was going to help you and how do you use it?
When my 'talent' first dawned on me, I was paging through an old journal of mine when I first started working for myself, and one of my goals was to be an inspiration to other women in marketing. I had completely forgotten about it until that moment. When I reread that goal, everything clicked. Soon after I created WomenwiseMarketing, a web site full of free resources to help women market their businesses and themselves. I also have a book in the works.
Well done on the book Kelly! You can connect with Kelly by clicking here. Every woman in business is welcome to profile her talents on PinkExpertise. All you have to do is write your answers to Kelly's questions above and send them to me a lynette@pinkskills.co.uk
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