Company Development

Last Monday I was invited to participate in a conference call with a new group of business associates; I joined a virtual meeting with 19 individuals from around the globe who are now part of a new Business Building Mentoring Program with Alan Seale and Trace Hobson. What an amazing group of collaborators – ready and willing to share ideas and experiences!

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I joined this team to expand my own awareness of how coaching is being used around the world and as a springboard to improve my own business. Since registering, the name of the program has changed to The Transformational Presence Company Development Program and I found it interesting to ponder the reason. Here’s a quote from the correspondence that came out to participants:

We noticed that most programs are focused on building a “business.” As we listened to the potential of this program and let it show us how it wanted to unfold, we realized that this program is about “company” building, not “business” building.

The word “business” is rooted in the word “busy,” which, in the old English language, also had associations with the word “anxiety.” This is not the energy we want to support! The last thing we want is for your busyness and anxiety to increase.

The word “company” comes from the old French compagnie, which means society, friendship, intimacy. The Late Latin companio means companion. This program is about building, developing, and growing companies. We ask: Who do you want to “keep company” with? What company of people do you want to serve? What will it mean for you to build a company that walks along beside people and organizations as their co-creative partner, supporting them to make the particular difference in the world that they feel called to make?

That stopped me in my tracks. Now this approach and novel perspective on entrepreneurship REALLY fits for me. I am sincerely looking for both mentoring and coaching work that is as unique as the individuals who come forward. Already, I have discovered that leadership in this field is not about forging ahead and being in front anyone, it is about being WITH people as they pick their way through the mud and mire of figuring out values and dreams. It seems like lofty stuff; there are so many options! and that is where the company of individuals with aspirations and visions that match mine –or challenge mine- is so valuable. Mentoring and coaching teams are a creative group, have an expansive way of thinking and are a motivating force. In a heart-beat I can tell you the company I want to keep… and build.

The people I seem to connect with are invested and strong; they have integrity and imagination. My-kind-of-people appreciate the seasons and walk with purpose. I suspect -like me- they sometimes just can’t be this way every day or all the time. In the moments of doubt, weariness and confusion I hunch we all have a deep desire for clarity and energy and to know we are not alone. So, as I reach out to my new mentoring team for inspiration I also send out a coaching invitation to others who want a companion to explore new territory.

I’m here and ready for Company.

 

What would you need to do, to be able to keep the company you most desire?