Back Yourself

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• Publisher: Women's Business Collective Pty Ltd
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9780645052077
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Leadership
• Index: Business

Is there a voice inside you that knows that there is so much more for you and that you have incredible potential just waiting to be realised?

Then it's time to learn how to back yourself.Believing in yourself is an incredible force of power that starts with you. Whether you want to change the world, invent an incredible product, take on the big brands, inspire people, take your business global, start a movement or dream bigger in any way it's time to follow that calling!

This book is the essential guide for women who are serious about creating the business they've been dreaming of and know that they have the ambition and determination to get there.

Combining the inspirational stories and expert business advice of 27 women business leaders this book shares the life-changing power of what can happen when you learn how to back yourself.

The Art of Collaboration & Partnerships – We’re Better Together

Sandra Spadanuda

I learnt early on in my career that to make change, real meaningful change, I needed to back myself with a tribe of passionate individuals willing to support me to achieve my goals; a community willing to support my dreams and my vision. And that’s exactly what I did.

‘There is nothing stronger, more powerful or with the potential for greater success than a collective, connected group–a tribe–of strong women. Those who empower each other, build each other up and do so with complete love, passion and unwavering support.’

I am a strong believer in women supporting each other and raising each other up, which inspired me to write the above quote recently during a late-night light-bulb moment. Connection is a superpower.

I’ve always been a dreamer and a believer in the greater good. I knew from a young age I wanted to change the world. And I always felt it was my calling in life to help others.

I didn’t always know or understand what that would look like or how I would do it, but my biggest passion has been working as a professional youth worker. I’m not sure there has ever been a single day where what I was doing ever felt like work.

Over the years, this passion and love for my work has evolved and grown. It’s no longer just about youth work, it has become so much more. I am incredibly fortunate to share my life passion with my husband, Dave, and together as youth workers, we have become passionate advocates for suicide awareness and prevention. But always with a tribe of incredible individuals backing us.

As skilled, qualified or experienced as you may be individually, I assure you, there is so much added value and benefit when you work with others.

Whether you’re a small business owner, an executive company CEO, a director on the board of a charity you’re passionate about, or a not-for-profit sector employee, whatever your position, whichever company or organisation you work for, this much is clear; networking, collaboration and partnerships have the potential to ultimately make or break you.

So why a partner? Why a collaborative project? Why not just do it solo and reap the benefits as an individual? Why not take the credit on your own?

The answer is simple… WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER. It’s a fact!

And when you get those wins, no matter how big or small, sharing that with those who share your hard work, vision and dreams is an amazing feeling. The triumphs are amplified when you’re able to share the reward of your achievements with others.

I have always prided myself on my ability to network, collaborate, and form partnerships. I often struggle to identify my own strengths. (Secretly, we all have fears, setbacks and self-doubt.) But one thing I have realised over the years is I love to network and build relationships.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked extensively within multidisciplinary teams, partnerships, and through collaborative processes. But I have also lost count of the times I have watched creative, innovative and potentially life-changing projects fail before they have even begun. All purely out of individual people’s desire to work solo, as opposed to reaching out for help and working in collaboration.

There is not, and never should be, any shame in asking for help when we need it. While we may be experts in our own individual ways, the added value in working with others is priceless.

Your tribe is so much more than just your business partners, collaborators and workmates. It’s about your personal community too, and those we have in every aspect of our lives, like our family, partners, husbands, wives, friends and our supporters.

I have had some of the most inspirational, supportive and motivational individuals back me on my journey. They have given me the courage, motivation, and strength to face every challenge that has been thrown at me head on!

1. Shared Values… Shared Vision.

No matter the partnership or collaboration you are considering, it’s so important whoever you bring on board understands and shares your values and passion. And that together, you’re able to mutually agree on your vision, mission, objectives and goals.

When choosing who you’ll collaborate with, or how they will fit in with your plans, be honest with yourself and your potential partner about your personal vision, and how their skills and vision will align with yours. Values and Vision are key to shaping your business culture and inspiring your employees, partners, and stakeholders.

When I think of partnerships, collaboration, and networking, I almost instantaneously think ‘teamwork.’ Vision is so important, but equally (if not more) important is Shared Vision. Whether at a management level or involving your team of staff, if you have the objective of energising your team, gaining their commitment and providing a clear sense of direction, it’s definitely worth involving them in the creative process. It then has the incredible power to move from ‘my vision’ to ‘Our Vision.’

Dave and I together co-founded Blue Beanie Projects (BBP) in 2015.

In all my years working in youth services and as a business owner, what we together envisaged and created was a success I’d never expected, experienced or imagined. We worked towards achieving this together passionately, because our vision was shared.

We created BBP in memory of Bluey, who we sadly lost to suicide. He took his own life, only weeks after the youth service in his local community, (of which he was an active participant and volunteer), was defunded. It was shut down because of the belief that the community’s suicide epidemic was under control. Bluey is only one of the many we lose to suicide every year.

The Blue Beanie team believe, with access to the appropriate professional services for young people, we can help reduce rates of youth suicide in regional and remote areas across Australia. We are made up of a dedicated group of volunteers who are professional, qualified, skilled, experienced and passionate youth workers. Blue Beanie services are aimed at building children and young people’s self-esteem, confidence, resilience, social and emotional wellbeing and connection to community.

One of our key projects has been the...

Table of contents

• Introduction
• Kylie Mort
• Brenda Keane
• Emma Allen
• Leanne Murner
• Heidi Jonsson
• Laura Elizabeth
• Louise Lugg
• Davina Borrow-Jones
• Rachael Ferguson
• Vanessa Fiducia
• Emma Heuston
• Karen Mc Dermott
• Katrina Wurm
• Yona Signo
• Rachel Neate
• Nicola Le Lievre
• Kristy Moore
• Katy Garner
• Candice Meisels
• Peace Mitchell
• Elle Likopoulos
• Rebecca Corbett
• Lana Kruger
• Cherie Gregory
• Lynda Pedder
• Sarah Walkerden
• Sandra Spadanuda