Earn Your Seat in the C - Suite with Darden’s Chief People & Diversity Officer Sarah King (Ep41)
Do you want to know how to get a seat at the table in the C-Suite and get senior leaders to buy into transformational change that you know they need that they don't quite see yet?
I'm in the middle of what I'm calling my "Favorite Executive Series of all time" series, and so, of course, I had to include Sarah King in this series! Sarah King, the Chief People and Diversity Officer for Darden Restaurants, is an extraordinary leader, especially within the HR field.
Sarah and I met in 2012 when she hired me to consult with her and the senior team at Wyndham Vacation Ownership on a massive org transformation project she was leading.
Sarah is a visionary who can see a better future for the organization she serves, AND she is a warrior who can make this type of change happen. She does it all through her ability to influence, which is an essential skill for consultants and coaches – both internal and external.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Sarah's insight into how to break into larger organizations and connect with this type of buyer as I did with Sarah.
- Why HR often IS your client and not the gatekeeper if you're in the organization development, leadership development, or change management consulting space
- How you can achieve substantial success and the financial rewards that come with it by being yourself.
One of the biggest myths about HR that many consulting mentors promote is that HR is a gatekeeper that stands in the way of consultants and coaches landing business. That is not true! Sarah will tell us why and so much more so you can get your own set of keys to the C-Suite!
Sarah is fun and real. So get ready!
Where to dive in:
[2:42] Hear about what Sarah does and her background.
[14:52] How Sarah learned to speak the language of business.
[19:02] Tune in for the number one barrier to change in an organization and how Sarah combats this challenge.
[25:55] Sarah's advice on how to shape thinking around what really adds value to an organization and why it's so hard.
[30:14] Hear what motivated Sarah to go out and find a consultant when she could do that work on her own.
[33:16] Sarah shares what HR executives look for in consultants and coaches.
[40:08] How are the current organizational pain points (The Great Resignation and economic changes...) influencing the goals large companies trying to achieve?
[43:57] When culture is a competitive advantage, what business case would you present to your client?
[45:43] Why you need to know the success criteria of the company you're going into as a consultant or coach.
[51:37] Hear the advice Sarah would give to her younger self.
[52:55] Sarah talks about why people buy people, not products, and why you can't underestimate the value of building a connection with the people you work with.
Next steps:
- Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen because I will keep bringing your interviews and episodes to help you connect with your ideal client.
- Check out my free downloads so you can take your next step in your business journey: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads
About my guest: Sarah King has spent 25 years leading the Human Resources functions of large, publicly listed global hospitality companies, including in her current role. She is responsible for developing and executing the company's people strategy to attract, develop and retain top talent to support the company's operating objectives and financial commitments.
About me: Betsy Jordyn is a Brand Positioning Strategist that helps consulting and coaching business owners clarify their brand positioning and messaging, create a website presence that positions them as sought-after experts, land clients with ease and integrity, and take their place as thought leaders and influencers in their niche. Her mission is to help consultants and coaches monetize their best-at strengths and authentic passions to make a bigger difference in the world. Check out her brand strategy, messaging, and design services at https://www.betsyjordyn.com
Links:
Download my one of my free resources to help you accelerate your success: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads
Learn more about my brand messaging and positioning services: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
Schedule a consult call to talk about what you need to do to nail your messaging and rock your copy so you can stand out in the market and attract clients: https://betsyjordyn.as.me/schedule
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Why You Need An Ideal Client Archetype (Ep38)
Why People Don’t “Get It” When You Talk and Write About What You Do (Ep37)
How To Create The Business and Life You Really Want In Your Second Act (Ep36)
How To Turn Your Strength Into A Sought-After Brand | Behind The Scenes Tutorial (Ep32)