Living Your Natural Genius by Otto Siegel
An Interview with Gail Keith
Note from Gail: Although
owning your own business and having a home office is considered “chic”
in Phoenix, the reality is the statistics of the past years haven’t
changed. Ninety-five percent of all small businesses will fail within
the first five years.
After 20 years in the corporate world, it was time to embark on a new adventure and open Gail Keith Marketing Strategies. I quickly realized I needed support to change my mind set from that of an employee to one of a successful business owner.I met Otto Siegel at a networking event in summer of 2005 and in an instant; I knew working with Otto could catapult my efforts and I could avoid many of the new business struggles that others contend with.
Otto has an incredible background and to work with him was a privilege that continues to benefit my business and personal growth. Otto is the author of several books, works with such companies as Dial, IBM and McKesson. Plus, I was impressed the little know facts Otto doesn't keep in his bio and you only learn from spending time with him. Otto a former member of the German Olympic team in his youth, an accomplished paniast and quite the rollar blader.
After 20 years in the corporate world, it was time to embark on a new adventure and open Gail Keith Marketing Strategies. I quickly realized I needed support to change my mind set from that of an employee to one of a successful business owner.I met Otto Siegel at a networking event in summer of 2005 and in an instant; I knew working with Otto could catapult my efforts and I could avoid many of the new business struggles that others contend with.
Otto has an incredible background and to work with him was a privilege that continues to benefit my business and personal growth. Otto is the author of several books, works with such companies as Dial, IBM and McKesson. Plus, I was impressed the little know facts Otto doesn't keep in his bio and you only learn from spending time with him. Otto a former member of the German Olympic team in his youth, an accomplished paniast and quite the rollar blader.
This interview is in preparation for his new book, Living Your Natural Genius to be released in late 2007.
Otto: How did you feel about being a natural genius before we started working together?
Gail: I thought the term “genius” only applied to scientist, chemists or professors interested in the Pulitzer Prize or inventing the next light bulb.
I used to think that others around me simply lacked what I thought was common sense . . . never in a million years did I think I was a genius or that genius lurked in me.
Otto: How do you feel now about being a natural genius?
Gail: Now, I embrace it, acknowledge it, see it. I feel responsible for it.
Otto: What made that difference?
Gail: Embracing and understanding my own small successes helped me to focus more on the ‘good to great’ concept instead the ‘improving weaknesses’ concept. The corporate world is all about showing employees their weaknesses and pushing them to improve.
Hence, you are never good enough, one can never rate perfect on an evaluation and management (including myself) is required show employees areas which they need to improve. How could one think of themselves as a genius when you are only measured by your weaknesses?
In Genius Coaching I began to see that my weaknesses needed little or no focus in order to achieve my goals, while strengths and talents needed to be cultivated to an “artist or mastery” level to achieve my goals.
Otto: What are some specific results?
Gail: When I first opened my business, it was awkward to charge for my knowledge since providing solutions and ideas came so easily for me. I learned that many geniuses’ feel the same way . . . hence, the term “starving artist”.
By accepting my own genius, I feel confident and comfortable charging for my knowledge in order to help someone else grow their business and in return my clients see an even greater value to my knowledge because it now has monetary value.
Once I accepted my personal genius, I began to play big, develop my talents, hire people to compliment my weaknesses and have the confidence to know I am building a business that will be a legacy for my children.
Gail: I thought the term “genius” only applied to scientist, chemists or professors interested in the Pulitzer Prize or inventing the next light bulb.
I used to think that others around me simply lacked what I thought was common sense . . . never in a million years did I think I was a genius or that genius lurked in me.
Otto: How do you feel now about being a natural genius?
Gail: Now, I embrace it, acknowledge it, see it. I feel responsible for it.
Otto: What made that difference?
Gail: Embracing and understanding my own small successes helped me to focus more on the ‘good to great’ concept instead the ‘improving weaknesses’ concept. The corporate world is all about showing employees their weaknesses and pushing them to improve.
Hence, you are never good enough, one can never rate perfect on an evaluation and management (including myself) is required show employees areas which they need to improve. How could one think of themselves as a genius when you are only measured by your weaknesses?
In Genius Coaching I began to see that my weaknesses needed little or no focus in order to achieve my goals, while strengths and talents needed to be cultivated to an “artist or mastery” level to achieve my goals.
Otto: What are some specific results?
Gail: When I first opened my business, it was awkward to charge for my knowledge since providing solutions and ideas came so easily for me. I learned that many geniuses’ feel the same way . . . hence, the term “starving artist”.
By accepting my own genius, I feel confident and comfortable charging for my knowledge in order to help someone else grow their business and in return my clients see an even greater value to my knowledge because it now has monetary value.
Once I accepted my personal genius, I began to play big, develop my talents, hire people to compliment my weaknesses and have the confidence to know I am building a business that will be a legacy for my children.