After being made redundant from a senior role last year, Cheryl Daley was forced to rethink the direction of her career. Motivated by her passion for helping others, Cheryl quickly turned a challenging situation into a positive one, and achieved some unexpected goals along the way…
1. Tell us your story:
I currently reside in Brisbane and am the author of soon to be released book LIPSTICK & LEADERSHIP. I was made redundant from a senior executive leadership role in January last year. Having spent over 25 years as a leader in various organisations, all with predominant male work environments, I knew I could help leaders be the best they could be by tapping into their inherent skills and behaviours. I launched leadershipheadquarters.com – it is only through balance that we achieve success. Organisational Development, Team Dynamics and Empowering Women Leaders are my passion.
2. How did you identify the goal/s you wanted to achieve?
I have always liked to help people identify their strengths and leverage those strengths for greater achievement and success. My goal was twofold: on one hand it was about building a business; on the other hand it was refining the process and distilling the information so that I could connect with as many women as possible and help them be A Savvy & Influential Leader, in an authentic and natural way.
3. How did you work towards achieving your goal – did you have a plan and a deadline to achieve your goals?
It was a priority to get moving – I was unemployed!!! So there was definitely a plan to get on track. It was really about doing a stocktake of what I needed to do and to connect with people who could help me develop and grow. Women are natural connectors and we like the sense of community (one of the great skills we bring to leadership). After I worked out what I needed to do, I then set out about connecting and getting on with the task.
4. What was the biggest challenge you encountered along the way?
Overcoming the feelings of being “dumped”. An unexpected redundancy or change and set back of any type really, makes you stop and think about the value you add and where you can improve or what you have to change. Women are very resourceful and fantastic at coming up with workable concepts (this makes us great with strategy). Reinvention became the way in which to deal with those challenges.
5. What inspires you and keeps you going when you encounter obstacles?
I know there are women out there who struggle with the glass ceiling, or the guilt of being a working mum, or the frustration with not being recognised for the value we bring to an organisation, and sometimes the anger for not being rewarded for our efforts. While this still exists, I am inspired to keep spreading the word to women on how to do it differently – to get the recognition, success and reward they deserve AND to help men in business understand the talent pool and the amazing benefits that women bring to their team. A balanced team drawing on the correct team dynamics is what sets extraordinary organisations apart from the ordinary.
6. What advice do you have for anyone wanting to achieve a goal?
You have to be clear in your mind about what the driving force is behind why you want to achieve the goal. It is not enough to just be warm about something – you have to be hot for it. I thought it was just getting a job that was my motivator. It was only after getting very clear that I realised it was more than that – it really was the desire to share the knowledge about how awesome women are, and how profitable business can be if they tap into the natural talents of their people or bring balance to their team.
7. What are the next goals you hope to achieve?
My book LIPSTICK & LEADERSHIP will be out soon, so I am hoping to get that into the hands of as many people as I can. I am looking forward to launching womenwhoinfluence.com, a website and video channel, where women come together and share their inspirational stories and support each other in a productive community. I have been asked by so many people to start holding training and workshops on finding their natural leadership style and leveraging that style for success, so I will launch lipstick wearing leaders college through leadershipheadquarters.com very soon.
