July/August, 2024  

The Girl Scout Motto – “Be Prepared” – is Critical to Workplace Success

Kay Fittes, August, 2024

As a lifelong Girl Scout, their motto, “Be Prepared” was drummed into my head from age 7.  I have found there is no better career advice, than to be prepared.  For instance, when I am coaching female presenters, the warning is to be prepared to present without your PowerPoint; be prepared to present to half or double the audience you were told to expect; be prepared to cut your presentation time in half or double it!  You get the idea.

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Kay’s Consulting Corner

Each month in this section, Kay offers actionable career consulting tips.

Heed the Girl Scout Motto

There are some underlying challenges in being prepared in each of the five areas that were covered in the previous article.  Take 10–15 minutes each week for the next five weeks to ponder each of these questions:

1. Decisions can be hard.  If you decide A, you don’t do B.  Even in the most inconsequential decisions, there lurks some element of FOMO.  Fear of missing out can be painful.  Plus, what if I make a WRONG decision?  I currently have a client who is undermining herself by not facing the fact that her interviewing skills need dusting off.  I have offered to do some mock interviewing with her on our coaching calls but she has not taken me up on that offer.  My belief is that even though she is not satisfied where she is, it feels risky to decide she really wants to make the move.  Consequently, she is not adequately preparing.  What decision fear is keeping you from adequately preparing?
   
   
2. Expectations can be unrealistic.  There is an illusion that fifty items on your “To Do” list makes you seem valuable and productive – if only to yourself.  The process of preparing, planning, and prioritizing your day can shoot holes in that illusion.  If you have some looming large projects or tight deadlines, the preparing of your day may be a harsh dose of reality  Maybe that’s just what you need.  Perhaps the collision of unrealistic expectations and critical work will result in you setting some boundaries and you getting brutally frank with yourself.  What unrealistic expectations are standing in the way of being prepared?
   
   
3. Weaknesses can be painful.  We all have areas of weakness.  Despite the Strengths Finder Movement, there is still a push in many workplaces to be good at everything.  Looking at our weaknesses can be painful and make us feel inadequate.  When you do a great job of preparing, it pushes you head long into the truth.  Truth can set you free.  When it is clear in your preparation that you have a gapping lack, it can push you to ask for help, seek resources, and partner with others.  If you don’t prepare, you are stuck muddling through the best you can.  What weaknesses might emerge if you consistently do great preparation?
   

In reading the lead article and reflecting on these questions, have you had some troubling insights about yourself?  Would it be valuable to deal with these realizations with a non-judgmental coach?  High-Heeled Success offers complimentary 45-minute telephone consulting.  Email kay@highheeledsuccess.com or call (513) 561-4288 to schedule a time to talk.

Testimonial – Susanne Skrobak

I met Kay Fittes at a Toastmasters District Conference where she was giving a very insightful workshop on A Woman’s Guide to Going Toe to Toe with Anyone.  Her knowledge and her presence immediately drew me in.  I knew she was the right one for me to get to work and master those intricacies of the Corporate World.

Twelve years ago, I moved from Switzerland to New York City.  The challenges I faced were tougher than I could have ever imagined.  I reached my boiling point, and I simply had ENOUGH of “being played” in the Corporate World and not getting the recognition I deserve.

Kay’s incredible empathy and ability to honestly listen to what I am trying to say have tremendously helped me in finding innovative approaches and gain confidence in myself.  She cautiously listened to what I was saying and kept asking questions or highlighting something I just said.  In each session, I have had a breakthrough moment and a deeper understanding of what was going on.  Above all, she provided me with the right tools to really go toe to toe with anyone and stay true to myself.

Learning how to say no and taking situations less personally was only the beginning of our wonderful collaboration.  I started to see other people for who they really are and not viewing them on this high pedestal.  After each session I received my homework and acted.  My mind started shifting from “I am not good enough” to “Oh I can do that and why shouldn’t I be the one to get the managerial role?” I am here to thrive not just survive.

I wish I had met Kay on day one when arriving in New York!  The sooner you start working with her the better and she is worth every single $ and you invest into your very own future.

Susanne Skrobak
Vice President – Facultative Property Underwriter

High-Heeled Success^® supports Dress for Success through donations of clothing, time and money.  We offer complimentary seats at every workshop for women participating in the Dress for Success program.

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