Catherine Cantey, How to Build Influence and Professional Authority – InnovaBuzz 418

Catherine Cantey, Leadership Master Coach

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Catherine Cantey, a tenacious connector and recovering banker. She is a leadership coach helping high potential managers turn into senior leaders. Her sales program, for business-to-business selling, is creating exceptional results.

18 months ago, Catherine retired from corporate banking. She was traveling 60% of the time, spending time with the C-suite and helping others grow their business. She took calculated risks that led her to transition from corporate to self-employment. Today, she provides leadership coaching, training around messaging and use of LinkedIn, and strategic planning.

In our discussion, Catherine talked to me about:

• Using reflection to know when you are ready for change
• Creating small wins that form the foundation of sustainable change
• How to add value to others by “teaching them to breathe”

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Listen to the Podcast

Show Notes from this episode with Catherine Cantey, Leadership Master Coach

Key points and takeaways from this episode include:

• Reflection is the best way to figure out where you’ve been and where you’re going.
• The first step in creating a transformation is to acknowledge if you are ready for change or not. If you’re not, then it’s OK. Celebrate the fact that you’re here and maybe you’re not just ready for it yet.
• Creating rewards within opportunities for change can help move you in the right direction, build momentum, and celebrate small wins along the way. Once you get that winning pattern, it’s so hard to stop. People will cheer you on and will want to be a part of it.
• Everything starts with you. If you want to create that change and influence, you have to first acknowledge that you will be doing that and from there engage those around you.
• It’s important to engage all stakeholders in strategic conversations about change. Strategic conversations can be as simple as dropping a few hints that will open up the door for the next conversation.
• There are people who will always be too comfortable with change but there are also people who will always resist change. Sceptics are people in the middle of those two. In order to build influence and professional authority, focus on these people who are in the middle. Figure out how you can create a win for them and bring them over to your side.
• If you’re looking to create more presence, you want to bring more sceptics to the work that you are doing and build rapport with them.
• Reach out to people and lead with value. Leading with value is simple, kind, and people respond to it. 
• There are so many incredible opportunities out there. Stop wasting your time on people who resist change. There are so many sceptics out there that you could focus on and be able to help towards that transformation. 
• Don’t feel bad if people don’t call you back. The timing may not be right now but it could be later.
• Keep exploring your customer’s journey and make sure that it is still working well for your existing customers and not just your new customers.
• Your existing customers are your change supporters. They advocate for you.
• Proactively service your existing customers. Spend time with them to see how they are using your product or service. Have somebody in the frontline that is using your product or service and see how many times do they have to click before they can get to whatever your solution is.
• Catherine’s Business-to-Business Development Course helps business owners
  1. clarify their message and connect with people,
  2. build influence, and
  3. maximise and leverage LinkedIn
• Don’t take it personally if people don’t connect with you the first time. Just continue to reach out, be proactive, and stay positive. You’ll be amazed at the opportunities that are in front of you just by using LinkedIn.
• Focus on the strengths that you bring to the table. You don’t have to do everything all the time. Focus on what comes naturally to you and let that help other people.
• About only 1% of people on LinkedIn are actually putting information out there. If you want to be disruptive, consider posting and being able to share information on LinkedIn. Share the lessons you’ve learned or how you were able to solve a customer’s problem. Be positive and help build up other people.

The Buzz – Our Innovation Round

Here are Catherine’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

1. #1 thing to be more innovative – Be curious. Ask questions and listen to what the answers are. Keep asking WHY.
2. Best thing for new ideas – Go out and be with your customers.
3. Favourite tool for innovation –  Virtual Assistants
4. Keep project/client on track – Creating accountability. 
5. Differentiate – Do what you said you are going to do and just follow up. 

To Be a Leader

Never stop learning. 

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Catherine through her website.

Suggested Guest

Catherine suggested we have a conversation with Jeannie Sullivan, author of Create a Course in 28 Days, and with Wade Galt of the 3-Day Weekend Club. So Jeannie and Wade, keep an eye on your inboxes for an invitation from us to the InnovaBuzz Podcast, courtesy of Catherine Cantey.

Links

• Website – Catherine Cantey
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Cool Things About Catherine

• She is recognized as a Marshall Goldsmith’s New York 50.
• She is a John Maxwell Team Member and is engaged with John Maxwell’s DiSC (personality profiling) work.
• She supports the United Way of Kershaw County and New Day on Mill (transitional housing for homeless families).

Listen to the Podcast