Building Trust: The Foundation of Success in Your Career and Business

In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, what is the one thing that can make or break your professional relationships, your career, and even your business? Trust.

On a recent episode of the "Coaching Gold" podcast, Executive Coach Dorian Cunion joined host Dr. Rudy Jackson to discuss his coaching journey and the critical role of trust. As a former 7-Eleven executive, Dorian shared how his own experience with an executive coach motivated him to help others find their authentic leadership style and advance their careers.

This podcast episode is a must-watch for anyone who wants to improve their leadership, build stronger teams, or find more success in their professional life.

Key Concepts Around Building Trust

1. Trust is the starting point for all successful collaboration.

Dorian explains that whether you're trying to land a new job or lead a team, establishing trust is the first and most crucial step. He models this in his coaching by creating a safe space where clients can be vulnerable and share their fears and goals without judgment. This approach is not just a coaching technique; it's a blueprint for effective collaboration in any setting.

2. Mistrust can be the root of performance issues.

Many business owners and leaders blame employees for not meeting expectations. However, Dorian often finds that the real problem lies in a lack of trust. When there's a breakdown in communication, it can prevent employees from asking for help or lead to leaders micromanaging their team. The solution is to focus on rebuilding trust first.

3. Small actions can build trust.

If you want to start building trust immediately, set aside a little extra time to get to know people on a personal level. Move beyond a casual "How are you?" and ask thoughtful questions about their family or what's going well in their life. These simple, human interactions are the foundation of trust and are a critical first step toward building stronger relationships.

4. Repairing trust requires humility.

Dr. Jackson added a key insight, noting that trust is often broken unintentionally. The key to repairing it is a combination of awareness, prioritization, and humility. By acknowledging your mistake, listening to how your actions affected someone, and modeling the behavior you want to see, you can create a culture where it's safe to admit mistakes and work toward a solution.

5. Coaching helps you find the answers within yourself.

One of the principles of coaching is that people are naturally gifted and whole. A coach's role is not to provide all the answers, but to help clients tap into their own values, strengths, and experiences. 90% of what people need to succeed is already within them, and coaching provides the clarity and confidence to unlock that potential.

Why You Should Watch the Full Video

This podcast episode offers more than just theoretical advice; it provides a real-world perspective on what it means to be a coach and how the principles of coaching can be applied to everyday professional challenges. You'll get to hear from an experienced executive coach who has walked in your shoes and is dedicated to helping others succeed.

Whether you're a small business owner, a leader, or an individual in career transition, the insights shared in this conversation can help you build the trust needed to achieve your goals.

For more information on Dorian's coaching practice, you can visit his website, Your Path Coaching and Consulting, or connect with him on LinkedIn.

How to Master the Art of Delegation and Overcome Burnout

Feeling overwhelmed and burned out? You're not alone. Many people, especially entrepreneurs, find themselves wearing too many hats, leaving them with little time for the work they're truly passionate about. This struggle often comes down to one core issue: the inability to delegate effectively.

In a recent episode of the "Coaching Gold" podcast, hosts Dr. Rudy Jackson and Dorian Cunion sat down with executive coach Annie Dietz to explore the topic of delegation. Annie, who transitioned from a career in real estate and a period of burnout to become a coach, shared her unique insights on how to help people overcome this common hurdle.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the conversation that can help you learn to delegate and reclaim your time.

Key Highlights from the Discussion

1. The Mindset Shift: From Control to Trust

Annie emphasizes that the biggest barrier to delegation is often a desire for control. Many people believe that "no one can do it as well as I can" or that it will take more time to teach someone than to do it themselves. The solution isn't to be prescriptive but to help people gain awareness of their own thought patterns. By asking insightful questions and holding space for reflection, coaches can help clients have that "aha" moment where they realize they need to let go and trust others.

2. Start Small to Build Momentum

Overcoming the fear of delegation doesn't have to happen all at once. The hosts and Annie suggest starting small. Identify one low-stakes task that you can delegate and allow yourself to be okay if it's not done perfectly. This small win can help build confidence and show you that delegating can work, paving the way for bigger changes in the future.

3. Reassess and Prioritize

Before you can delegate, you need to know what to delegate. Annie advises clients to reassess their tasks and prioritize the "highest and best use of their time." This process helps them identify what needs to be done, what they enjoy doing, and what can be handed off to others. It's about letting go of tasks that deplete you so you can focus on the ones that bring you energy and move your business forward.

4. The Value of Coaching and Assessments

The podcast also highlights the value of coaching and diagnostic tools. Dr. Rudy Jackson and Dorian Cunion discuss how their "Power6 Leader" assessment helps clients identify areas for growth and provides a data-driven starting point for the coaching process. This approach helps people move past initial resistance and speeds up their self-discovery, which is crucial for tackling deep-seated issues like the inability to delegate.

Ready to Learn More?

Annie Dietz and the hosts all agree that the journey to better delegation and personal growth is a holistic one. It's not just about a work-related skill; it's about building self-awareness, trusting others, and recognizing that you don't have to do it all. To hear the full conversation and learn more about their coaching approaches, you can listen to the full episode on YouTube or Spotify.

Can a CDFI Help Fund Your Business Growth?

Community Development Financial Institutions are organizations that provide financial resources to small businesses. They are similar to banks, but their focus and lending requirements differ somewhat. CDFIs are willing to lend money to companies in early growth stages and frequently provide services to help small businesses become creditworthy.

Who should work with a CDFI?

Any small business owner who has been in business for more than 2 years, has steady revenue growth, and is paying more than 10% interest on loans or credit cards.

Are CDFIs hard to get funding from?

Many of the individuals who work within CDFIs are former bankers who left the banking industry because they felt that traditional banking had too much red tape and was not doing enough to supWhport small businesses. They have many of the same lending requirements as banks, but are more willing to work with small business owners to help them become creditworthy.

What does it mean to be creditworthy?

Creditworthiness refers to the likelihood that your business will be able to repay loans. Whether you are seeking funding from a bank, CDFI, or angel investor, the person lending you money wants to have a clear understanding of your business model, financial reporting, infrastructure, and growth plans.

What are ways to improve creditworthiness?

Here are the top 5 things you can do this month to improve your creditworthiness

1. Educate yourself on what a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement are, and work to establish these reports for your business.

2. Outline your business model using the Business Model Canvas.

3. Define your capital needs, and create projections on how the capital will drive revenue growth or reduce operating expenses.

4. Review your financial reporting and identify ways to improve your profit margin.

Identify how your business generates revenue, and seek ways to diversify or expand your income stream.

Why Start With CDFIs to Fund Your Business Growth

During a recent Association for Economic Opportunity conference, Carrie Cook from the Richmond Federal Reserve shared that CDFIs are increasing the amount of loans they are giving to small businesses, while large banks are decreasing the amount of loans they are giving. As the politics surrounding support for women-owned and minority businesses shift, small business owners need to explore new and more effective ways to access capital.

Message me if you would like to learn more about CDFIs and how they can help you solve funding issues within your business. Our coaching and consulting services are designed to help you enhance your creditworthiness, enabling you to achieve your business growth objectives.

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