Stepping into your calling can be easy for some while others find they are steered into directions that don’t seem as obvious . . . initially. Consider Esther, an orphan girl in exile raised by her older cousin Mordecai who rose to become the most powerful woman in the Persian Empire. During these present day economic times facing career setbacks and job cutbacks leave many reeling while driving others down the road to entrepreneurship – a road with a satisfying and purposeful calling of leadership.
We remember Esther as a brilliant strategist, a persuasive speaker and a courageous risk-taker. She rose to greatness through her preparations. Let’s apply these same preparations to being a business woman in today’s times.
Working to learn the organization’s culture: Esther underwent 12 months of beautification and preparations to ready herself for the king. For today’s business woman this translates to:
learning and understanding your target market; believing in yourself, your products/services, and your value; learning and understanding your chosen industry and how it works; and getting involved in industry associations and organizations.
Cultivating mentors and sponsors: Mordecai freely shared his wisdom and insights with Esther. Mentors share their knowledge and experiences. Sponsors go beyond giving advice to using their influences to advocate on behalf of the protégé. This could be opening networking connections, making introductions, and initiating apprenticeships. Many business professionals have mentors whether this happens spontaneously, through an organized program, or by approaching a more experienced person and seeking guidance. A mentor can help you realize your calling and help to refine it.
Practice critical risk taking: When Esther went to the King, after fasting for three days and not being summoned, this was such a courageous risk – one that could have cost her with her life. She knew she needed to stand up for what she believed in. Think about what you believe in. Are you being true to yourself and your business values with the types of services you provide, how they are executed, and the types of clients you interact with? If not, make those changes now. When discerning your services and products embrace critical thinking for each one. Only the cream of the crop, those yielding the riches results, should be brought from idea into full creation.
Being privy to the grapevine: Mordecai overheard two of the king’s officers plotting the assassination and let Esther know this news. She warned the king about it, giving Mordecai the credit. It’s important to know who the go-to people are; who has their finger on the pulse within an organization, an industry, and for trends; know who is the final decision maker; get familiar with the studies and statistics relevant to your industry, products/services, and clients; and lastly, build relationships that bridge connections so information can seamlessly flow both to you and from you.
Esther rose from passivity, to activity, to authority as she came fully into her calling. She believed in herself, the value she could bring the people, and the outcomes she could produce. Are you ready to be a modern day Queen Esther? What kinds of preparations are you ready to embrace?
For more about Queen Esther and how she serves as a strong business strategist read, What Queen Esther Knew by Connie Glaser and Barbara Smalley.