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As I started to succeed in latest milestones in the growth of my business, I noticed with increasing awareness: knowing what is non-negotiable is not only vital; it’s essential. Don’t have them clear? Well, that is a straight path to Discontent City, which, let me let you know, is not conducive to your success, either present or future.
It’s too easy to let things slide, is not it? You make excuses for others (and yourself) and turn a blind eye to signs that each one is not well, because hey, losing a client seems like a nightmare, right? Or possibly you are so stunned by what could occur that you just compromise with what is without even realizing it.
These thoughts have been on my mind since I attended the Black (*6*) Women of Power Summit. The stories I heard from these amazing women who faced and overcame enormous obstacles to secure their place in positions of power really hit home.
Here are six non-negotiables from me and some influential women all of us admire that can assist you maintain your success and take it to the next level.
1. Have uncomfortable conversations immediately
Let’s have uncomfortable conversations. I avoided them like a pro. But face them? This is where the magic happens. More often than not, I came upon that I used to be missing a piece of the puzzle. Whether they modified my view or cleared the air, these conversations all the time left me feeling lighter and able to focus on what was vital.
2. Wait 24 hours before making an emotional decision
Here’s the rule I persist with: if a decision is dictated by a wave of emotions, I pause it for 24 hours. It’s amazing how a little time can change your perspective.
3. Don’t take in less energy than you bring
By accepting lower than I give? Not any more. This applies to work and life. Avoiding toxic people seems obvious, but we have all been there, keeping someone around when deep down we know they’re only causing drama and draining our energy.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask about things that can assist you show your best side
When national talk show host and actress Sherri Shepherd was invited to tour with Babyface, the local glamor troupe wasn’t prepared to style a woman of color. The team couldn’t style her wig and the foundation didn’t match her skin. Can you imagine organizing a large-scale event, looking at the monitor and getting distracted because the reflection is less than your standard?
As women, it is often suggested that asking for anything greater than what is provided is considered “high maintenance”. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you should show your best side and don’t expect anyone to grasp your request because they are not on your path and they are not the ones who need to point out up in your shoes.
5. Understand that work-life balance is a lie
I listened to Thausandra Brown Duckett, CEO of TIAA, talk about how work-life balance is a lie. Her suggestion is to treat your life like a diversified portfolio. She said that work-life balance is a lie because it will probably never be reconciled. He suggests living as a portfolio of diversity. Write down every part that is vital to you and allocate resources based on your priorities. Over time, you’ll perform higher in all areas. Don’t spend all of your time and energy on one thing. Don’t forget to provide yourself the grace to recalibrate your portfolio if obligatory.
6. There should be incentives for innovation
There’s also one gem I picked up from Thai Randolph, who co-founded HartBeat Productions with Kevin Hart, that has grow to be a mantra for me: She said there has to be something intrapreneurial in every opportunity. It seems we have the ability to build, destroy and scale. There should be a real incentive to innovate.
Honestly, my non-negotiable principles aren’t groundbreaking, but once I put them at the forefront, communicated them to my team, and decided to live by them, the difference has been transformational. These non-negotiables have earned my company, Society22 PR, one of Inc.’s Fastest Growing Companies. and we have managed to cultivate a company culture that exceeds my expectations.
So yes, these reflections on the non-negotiable have modified my approach to business. It’s not only about setting boundaries; it’s about creating a space where you, your team and your organization can thrive. And let me let you know, the effect was really great.