Suzanne Chadwick  

Hey, lovely, welcome back to the podcast. Amazing to have you here. I am excited to share this week's podcast with you. It definitely came from some of the work and some of the conversations that we had at the recent rise retreat, which was for thought leaders and speakers. So if you don't know anything about the rise retreat, that is a business retreat that I run. This is the third one. The first one was a book writers retreat. The second one was a general business retreat. And this one was the thought leaders and speakers retreat. And we had 13 amazing women at the retreat in Daylesford here in Victoria. And it blew my mind. And it was such an exciting time really, for all of us. And so I wanted to share a little bit around some of the things that I shared at the retreat. Some of the things I'm really stepping into sharing a lot more, you know, it's really interesting because I go to the retreat to host the retreat and to hold space for my clients. And it's always exciting to be able to do that. But never underestimate the power of the shifts that you can have when you hold space for others. And I think that was something that it wasn't, I wasn't shocked by it. But I had so many powerful AHAs myself, through holding space for my clients that I was like this is

 

Suzanne Chadwick  

amazing, like, this is incredible. And it's probably maybe the first time that I've felt that for myself out of retreat, where I'm like, I have had a massive shift myself just by doing this. And so one of the things that I wanted to share with you today was around a concept that I shared with my gorgeous retreat ladies. And it was really around the impact and influence that you want to have in the world. I talk about it as when it comes to personal brand power or stepping into being a leader. And I think that when I speak to a lot of the women that I know, who I think are amazing at what they do, when we talk about this, I always get the same response from them, which is, I know that that's something I need to do. I know that's something I need to work on. I know I need to work on my thought leadership, I know that I need to work on claiming that space. And you know, if you've followed me for a while, you'll know that my purpose is to support women to become bold and powerful voices in the world and claim their space with confidence, and courage, I'm going to add courage to that as well. And so what I wanted to share with you today, were really four key things that I think work together to help you to really step into that leadership space and step into claiming your space. And can I just say, you have a space available to you? It is there and it's waiting for you. But you have to make the decision to claim it. And if you don't claim it, it will just go unclaimed. Yeah. And if you want to be an influence in your space, then someone else will just step up and take that spot. And so which is fine that that is what it is. But you've got to decide whether you're okay with that or not? Or do you have such a burning desire to share your message and what you're here to talk about? That you're like, that's my God, what a gift, give that up to anybody. And so I think you've just got to really make that decision. But some of the things that we went through was that when it comes to this personal brand power, the first thing which I talk about all the time, you'll know is the attention piece. So what you want to be known for, and what you want to be known for is not just like your key message, but it's like when people think of you what are they thinking about? You know, when they think of you do certain words, phrases, concepts, ideas, energies, like what actually are you known for?

 

Suzanne Chadwick  

And so, one of the things that we talked about retreat was sometimes people can get really caught up in. But I'm just this type of person. So I can't talk about that. Yeah, and we pigeonhole ourselves. And we kind of put ourselves in this little box, or we niche ourselves that I'm this type of person. So I can only talk about these sorts of things. And I just really want to let you know, you talk about whatever you want. Because once again, we come back to not what I do, as in web designer, content creator, business coach, not what I do, but what I'm here to do. And so I just really want to reinforce that if you're sitting there going, Gosh, I just, I wish I could have more impact, I wish I could share more of my message, I wish that I could be like her over there, where she's got this big message that she shares. Even though what she does is like this other thing, I really want to challenge you and let you know and give you permission, if you feel that you need it, that you can talk about whatever you want, then you can make a decision that my purpose on this earth in this space with my clients with what I do, is to have this impact to share this message to influence the people around me to believe think, consider x. And so when it comes to your thought leadership, and you being a person of influence, as well, which we're going to talk about a little bit more is just to remember that you are just here to offer an idea, a suggestion or an opportunity to consider another point of view. And so really thinking about how you fit into that how you want to deliver that message, and how you want to share your thought leadership, which other for bigger concepts of what you believe and what ideas you want to put out into the world? Then it's up to you how you do that. Yeah, so really decide, what am I here to do? Not what do I do? But what am I here to do? What are those messages? What is my thought leadership, which are the bigger concepts and ideas that I want to offer. And for me, mine are always evolving, like even after retreat, mine are evolving even more, even as we were in the discussion at the retreat, my ideas were evolving. And I always say to my clients, you know, whenever we have coaching calls, or things like that, I'm like you need to if you want to record this, then I would recommend that you record this, like if I'm doing a one on one session. Because when we're in the flow, when we're talking about something we're really passionate about, we've got a lot to say on, you will come up with new things in that moment through the inspired conversations that you're having with other people around you. And so someone will say, Oh my gosh, what did you just say, and all of a sudden, just be like, I don't know what we said, because we were in flow. And so really understanding that you can be in flow. And that you can be developing your thought leadership in that moment. Because the more that you talk about it, the more you'll start to evolve that message and evolve your understanding of the message through the contribution of other people's thoughts, questions, ideas in that conversation. And so really understanding that, that is what you want to be known for. And that's what you're here to do. That's your higher purpose, is the first key thing to really starting to step into being that leader, that thought leader to having personal brand power

 

Suzanne Chadwick  

is the attention that you generate around what you want to be known for. And as I said, it's not just like I want to be known for supporting women to, you know, become great speakers, I want to be known for the energy I bring I want to be known for the thought leadership I create for the ideas and the conversations I have. And and people will create their own perception of what that is. So we can offer a framework around what it is that we do and what we want to be known for. But people will also build their perceptions based on all of the things that you do, how you do it, how consistently you show up, how committed you are as well to the outcome that you want to have. You know, and one of the themes for the retreat really and one of the key things I talk about is we're not interested in confidence. We're not interested in becoming confident what we're interested in is being courageous every day in the things that we do. Because if we're waiting for confidence, like we'll be waiting forever, and you can become confident in things, but I almost don't want you to worry about that. I don't want you to ask the question, Am I confident? Or am I not confident? Don't worry about that. Ask yourself the question, are you willing to step up in courage? Are you willing to be courageous and brave, when it comes to becoming that leader, you can give me all the excuses in the world that you don't have the time to do it, you're really busy, you've got all this stuff going on. You know, you know that that's definitely something that you want to and need to do. But you just haven't done it yet. Like, you can give me all the excuses in the world. But you have to make the decision, whether you have the courage to be able to claim that space, to become the leader to step into being the leader of your community, and really think about what that means. Because it does take courage to be able to do that. It does take courage to say I'm willing to lead, I'm willing, I'm putting my hand up, I'm willing to be the person that creates the space for people to come and be unsure and get clarity for people to come and be unsure and gain the courage. Yeah, to potentially become

 

Suzanne Chadwick  

confident down the line, I'm willing to hold the space, where I will facilitate the conversation. Even when, you know, it's there's no set way of doing it. Like let's come together. And let's say and it was really interesting. One of my retreat attendees, she just said, I just didn't think it would be as as informal as it was, but it was perfect for what we wanted. And I really went to retreat, like I knew what the sessions were going to be. But I also love to leave room like I don't want to have slides, like at a retreat, I really want to leave room for the open conversation, and for questions, and for comments and for thoughts and reflections on what we're talking about. And so you have to decide whether you're willing to kind of be the leader that creates a space that you can facilitate and hold where there may not be structure. And there may not be, you know, all the rules and regulations on what it's supposed to look like. And I would really encourage you to be that sort of leader if you're willing to be because I think that, you know, it just allows for the freedom and the flow of thought and conversation and creativity, and connection, and conversing all the C's, I'm all about the C's just so that. So the first one is the attention be known? And the second thing is the impact. What do you want to impact in the world? So that's your external? Yeah, so what kind of impact do you want to have, if you were having the impact that you wanted? What would be happening? Like what exactly would be happening in your space, if you were creating the impact that you wanted to have? So for me, I would be which is happening, I would be attracting incredible women to my retreats and into BBA and into Amplify, who have a deep desire for the things that I talk about for that creativity and for that connection, and for that ability to become thought leaders and step in to their courage, those sorts of things. So that's what would be happening. If I was having the impact, I'd be asked to speak on podcasts and on stages and, and share their message, which is happening as well. And so really think about what is the impact that you want to have? And if you were having that impact, what would be happening in the world today? Yeah, what would be happening around you. So on a micro level, what would be happening on you know, a bigger level one a macro level, what would be happening, and really write that down and really claim that and say, This is the impact I want to have. This is how I think it could look you don't have to be tied to it. Because we want to be fluid in our ability to, you know, have opportunities come to us and for them to be powerful and intuitive opportunities that we decide whether they're the right ones for us, but just really think about what is that impact that you want to have? What would that look like? How would it feel? What would be happening when that when you have that impact? As in so now you've got it and then your clients are coming to you and then what is the knock on effect to that?

 

Suzanne Chadwick  

And I believe you can only really have an impact when you have influence and I did share a tiny little clip on Instagram, which talked a little bit about this, which is that you in order to have him influence, you have to decide that you are willing to be influential, you have to decide that you are willing to step into that. And say I am going to be a person of influence, I want to claim that space, I want to do this thing. And that you are going to step into being a leader of your community. Because at the end of the day, if you're somebody who wants to be a thought leader, or a speaker, or you've got a message to share, and you want to be known, then the reality of that is that you will build community, you will build community around shared values, shared thoughts, ideas, and people will want to be in your space, so that they can have those conversations and they can be with like minded women, and or like minded people. And I think that's another thing is that, you know, one of the comments from one of my ladies at retreat when she was doing her video testimonial, as well as like, it's just so incredible to be with like minded women, like really seriously. So connected in a like minded way. And that like mindedness isn't that everybody thinks the same. It's that everybody wants to have the same kind of impact and influence and opportunity to be able to share what it is that they're sharing. And so are you willing to step into being someone of influence? Are you willing to take on that responsibility of offering those ideas, and new ways of thinking, and the opportunity to have a different perspective to your audience? And I do think that leaders do that. It's not about saying, This is what you have to think of this is what you know, you have to believe it saying, what about what about if we thought about it like this? And then invite the conversation? Invite the collaboration? Yeah. And I know Marion Piper was talking about it retreat, that co creation, how are you building that co creation with your audience, so that you're not just influencing them. But and this is perfect for what has happened last week. But in their creation of their own ideas, they're also influencing you, which is such a like magical place to be. You have as a leader and a community, owner and a creator and holder of space, to be in a room where you hold that space. So others can create and consider and develop their ideas. And through that development of their ideas, and the creations that they bring forward. Like that then influences you. Like it's magic, I just love it. And so that's kind of the internal Yes. So your impact is your external, your influence is internal to your community. And then the last one, which I wish was an I, if you can think of an I, let me know. But it's engaged. You know, I love my alliterations. I need like three or four I's. Yeah. But the last one is around engagement. So what is the relationship you have with your clients. And so one of the things that we did, was on the last morning, we sat around, and we shared, what we had learned, and what we what were the actions that we were going to take next. So it didn't need to be a long list, it could just be one thing. And maybe what was like a key takeaway from the retreat as well. And so one of my gorgeous retreat, ladies, she was sharing, like, what she's going to go and do and how she's going to be. And she was beautiful in, you know, thanking me for some of the things, the insights and the sessions that we had. But as I said to her, this is the relationship. So my one on one relationship with you, and with each of my clients, allows me to have the influence that I want to help you to create new ideas, thoughts, constructs, opportunities for your clients, and the things you share. So that we can both have the impact, which is that external element

 

Suzanne Chadwick  

on the world, so that you can become known, because my purpose is to help you become a bold and powerful voice in the world. And so then that fulfils my purpose and what I want to be known for. And so all of this is really intertwined. And for you to really understand that, and I know this for sure, is that I can't have the impact that I want on an external level and the influence I want to have on an internal community level. If I don't have the engagement, and the relationship, one on one with my clients, you know, I said a while ago that I put together like a photo collage for almost 200, BBA women, and I looked at each of their photos, and I knew exactly who they were, and I knew what their business is. And I remember the conversations that we have. And so, for me, obviously wanting to grow the business and scale and work with more clients, but I never ever lose sight of the fact that the relationship that I have individually with my clients, allows me to have the influence and the impact as well. And so I will hold on to that, and be in that as much and as long as I can possibly do it for which hopefully, is forever. You know, and you have different levels of relationships with clients as well. But I just really want you to understand that this is your opportunity, I want to offer you the idea that this is an opportunity for you to step into the leader that you really want to become. I really want to offer that to you. It is available to you. It is there for you. And I want to invite you to claim it. Really think about what do I want to be known for? What's my purpose? What impact do I want to have? What's the influence I want to have? How can I engage on a one on one basis with my clients to make all of that a reality. And so I just wanted to share that with you from retreat. There was so many learnings, I think for the women that attended by it had a massive impact on me personally, the relationships that they built together the conversations that they had, you know, the group conversations that we had the one on one conversations that I had, there were a lot of tears as well. listening to people's stories, and really watching them have the aha moments that they have this burning desire to have a bigger impact in the world. And that no matter what their story has been in the past, and no matter what box they've put themselves in now, none of that matters. None of that matters, you can draw a line in the sand, you can choose to discount, the things that you feel may have held you back before. And I want to offer you a fresh slate, a fresh slate, a fresh page. Yeah, that you can start afresh on. Now obviously, who you are, where you've come from will always be part of your story. But never let it define who you're going to be moving forward. If you feel like it's held you back, maybe it hasn't. But maybe if you feel like it's held you back, I just really want you to think about what that looks like moving forward. And also to identify what those thoughts and beliefs are. We've talked about it before that are facilitating you moving forward, or blocking and holding you back from claiming your space. So that's it for this week, I really wanted to share that message with you. I didn't prepare for that podcast, I just it was just on my heart to share it. And I just really want you to know that you have an incredible opportunity

 

Suzanne Chadwick  

to share the message that is on your heart that is a burning purpose and platform for you. And that if you want support and help, I am here for it. I am here 100% for it. Yeah, a great place to start is Brand Builders Academy, which is really getting your mindset in order, getting your message sorted, getting your business where you want it to be so that you can step up and claim that space in whatever capacity you want to have it there. So have an amazing week. And I'll speak to you soon.