I Got Out of My Own Way: Can You?

During the first days of 2024, I felt grateful to spend a relaxing time with my family by the sea. This is where I feel most calm, and centred, and get my best ideas. We returned to a place we had enjoyed in the summer, but this time it was very different; the sea looked angry and fierce. My wife and I had planned a coastal walk, yet the 50 mph winds put paid to that…

On our less adventurous yet not less interesting walk, we experienced the full array of what British weather has to offer: heavy rain, a rainbow, sunshine, and a storm, all within an hour.

Just like in life and business, there will always be a cycle of difficulties. We can learn much from nature. It teaches us to resiliently embrace the rain if we want to experience the rainbow. It struck me that I am truly fortunate to only do business with people I trust, like and respect in the  #paymentsindustry. This was not always the case. When I worked for a large business, you had to do business with everyone, regardless of their conduct.

At a meeting with one of our largest customers, I met the CEO for the first time. Over a two-year period, we had delivered transformational talent to his business. Yet that did not stop him from throwing a brochure at me across a large oak table. My “crime” was to have asked a question about brand re-positioning. I refused to look at, let alone touch, this brochure and decided to maintain eye contact and continue challenging the brief.

On returning to the office, I was asked by my seniors how the meeting went. Of course, the true question being asked was, ‘Did you win the business?’ I felt powerless and trapped having to accept this behaviour, all in the cause of having to win the business because of the status and power of that customer.

However, it was character-building stuff. After I completed the assignment, I took time out to reflect on that initial meeting. I was keen to learn from it - his insecurity and lack of knowledge about re-positioning a brand was taken out on me. The truth is I did not know how to re-position a global brand, yet my network did and still does. In a curious paradox, he held all the hard power, yet I had access to what he really needed to serve his self-interest.

By setting up my own business I got out of my own way. Today I work extremely hard to find more welcoming rooms😊.

Being a good host is the key to relationships; this vital ingredient is often forgotten about in the hustle and the need to transact and do business. Striking the balance between achieving tasks whilst engaging with others is an ever-evolving challenge.

My cultural background valued treating people well and with generosity. From an early age going to see my grandparents or friends’ grandparents, I received a warm welcome at every household. I am so pleased these gifts were given to me when I was a young child, as they are a point of difference in this world. I observe many people so completely focused on their goals to the exclusion of others, that they miss out and get in their own way.

Viktor Frankl, the writer, neurologist, psychologist, and Holocaust survivor said:

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

Think about that statement – it is extremely empowering.

I gave myself the space to choose – I got out of my own way. My recommendation this week is for you to do the same. Create the space to grow and have the freedom to make better decisions. On a practical level, this means not moving from meeting to meeting. Instead of scheduling hourly or half-hourly calls, organise each call for 55 or 25 minutes to allow yourself the space to pause and reflect for 3 minutes.

Ask yourself:  

·       What happened?

·       So what? 

·       What next?

Keep a record of your thoughts in a journal or notebook, to look back on over the weeks.

Payments Leaders Advisory engages with decision-makers in the Payments industry – large financial institutions, scale-up disrupters, established incumbents, and merchants. We are proven, trusted advisors with the rare ability to build deep levels of trust, and ask challenging, thought-provoking questions.

We advise Payments Executives on how to solve the most complex challenges - unlocking latent revenue, reducing the cost of doing business and de-risking operations. We create a strategic plan and offer tailored advice, using our wealth of experience in the complexities of the industry.

If you find this article valuable, please like, re-share and pass it on to a colleague or your trusted network. If you are a decency-led leader in the payments industry, don’t hesitate to reach out to adrian@adrianevans.co.uk if you want to open dialogue with a trusted partner.