Rocco* was used to being #1.
Struggle wasn't part of his life.
At least not in public.
He ran with a fast crowd and was used to being the life of the party.
~ Cars.
~ Two homes.
~ A beautiful wife.
~ And a weekly payroll that ran him more than most people made all year.
His employees called him as Mr. R., and when he walked in a room, you leaned in as you just knew he’d have something important to say.
Yet Rocco was on the verge of burnout when we met, afraid to tell anyone what was really going on in his life.
Our paths crossed when I consulted for a board where one of his employees was a volunteer -- and she had arranged for one of their meetings to be held at his office.
We met in the hallway and had an interesting conversation which led to setting up a time to meet at a local coffee shop to continue our conversation.
I was thinking it was a "getting-to-know-you" meeting and had no idea Rocco would tell me about his struggles.
Despite his air of confidence, Rocco’s life was spinning out of control and he couldn’t figure out how to make it stop.
I understood because I’ve been there... unsure of who to trust and too afraid tell anyone about the mess I'd created in my life.
When you don’t stack your wins, everything around you starts to feel like a loss.
You begin doubting your worth and value and when that happens, it’s hard to
attract the right opportunities, be in loving relationships, or enjoy peace of mind.
When you are afraid to be vulnerable and just keep doing more of the same thing louder or harder, you'll stay stuck or worse, as you'll risk losing it all.
And that's where Rocco was.
The charade he was playing was like a house of cards about ready to crumble.
~ His wife was threatening to leave him.
~ He was close to personal bankruptcy.
~ And he was having trouble sleeping.
Rather than get clear about what was going on inside his business and doubling down on his leadership, he trusted a few wrong people and got in a bigger hole.
Rocco and I worked together -- and he got himself dialed in.
See, Rocco lost his way ... like we all do.
He was a brilliant businessman who had a series of missteps that caused him to lose money to people he trusted.
This eroded his confidence and he began doubling down on everyone and everything outside of himself.
~ I helped him remember who he was.
~ I gave him permission to go after what he wanted.
~ And we restructured his debt ...
... and then stacked wins centered on his original why for getting into business, getting him out of the hole he was in.
We worked on his marriage too, starting with having him read 'The Love Dare.'
He and his wife are celebrating their 23rd anniversary this year.
And he told me he now sleeps like a baby.
All from the courage to be vulnerable.
That's purpose-led leadership.
So, if you're wanting to learn more about how to be a leader worth following or just leadership in general, just reply to this email for details.
This is my purpose
This is my calling.
The World Needs You and Your Brilliance.
ACTION: The Upside Challenge of the week is to assess where you’re at and vulnerably share your truth with someone you trust.
You can’t make the difference you’re called to make if you don’t dial up your leadership.
And again, the world needs you and your brilliance.