The Simple Equation for Success

We recently put a spotlight on an article that Seth Godin wrote about how 90% of growing is self-coaching, but the rest is up to us to learn from others.

As a software implementor and consulting firm, it’s our job to earn the title of Trusted Advisor (or as some may call a coach) with our customers. In our business, it’s important to make sure people understand the importance of how far we can go together, not alone.

We want to do what we encourage others to do and take advantage of the big potential that we have by accessing this extra 10%, so Advoco has our very own business coach, Chris Oakley. He’s responsible for a lot of great things that happen behind the scenes, he was our keynote speaker at our conference last year and he’s going to be joining us for Connect again this year!

I want to share one of the many valuable things I’ve learned from Chris, and the one I’ve repeated the most.

The simple equation to success is this: (1) You have to win at relationships, and (2) You have to win at results.

Winning at relationships means you’re trusted and you’re the person your colleagues want in the room to support them or pitch their latest idea to. You can build trust in ways like having empathy even when you don’t want to, listening, and being consistent. You have to be dependable and follow through.

Winning at results means you execute well, and people can rely on you to get your job done. Winning at results also means not settling for the good enough. It means showing up to meetings with a plan. It means not fearing failure, but being courageous, driven, innovative, and confident.

Think about it, you’re the go to person to take an important colleague to lunch, but you’re sitting on a mountain of overdue tasks. Not good! Or conversely, you are constantly crossing items off your list, but your attitude is unbearable.

Winning at relationships and results has to be done simultaneously in order to be successful. One without the other will not get you far. Add these two things together, and you’re unstoppable.

Until next time…we are Advoco, make every minute count.

About Mary: Mary Devine is our Director of Marketing and Events. Affectionately referred to as “Make it Happen Mary,” she's been around since the early days of Advoco—making things happen! Whether it's planning exciting surprises for Connect attendees or spearheading new marketing initiatives, we're so happy to have Mary on our team. If you have a question for Mary, please send her an email.