I lost two clients within a week for the consulting firm where I worked. And I thought I was getting fired for sure. But Hardik didn’t fire me, and for that I’m grateful. Because it made me a better professional. See, getting fired would’ve been easy for me too. I could’ve walked away saying, “I’m not cut out for consulting,” or “I didn’t get proper training.” I could’ve made a bunch of excuses. And that would be it. But being forced to show up each day despite my struggles made me tougher. I chose one aspect to become better at: asking questions. I would ask questions to clients, get answers, ask follow-up questions, figure things out, and test processes. Two months went by. Nothing happened. I was about to lose all hope when a client took me aside. “Vishal,” he said, “for the first time in three years, we have posted a quarterly profit. And the processes you set played a huge part in this. Thank you.” More than happiness or pride, I felt relief. And hope. (“OK, I did it once, I can do it again. I got this!”) The only direction from there was upwards. An important lesson that has stuck with me since is: Trust. The. Process. Show up, work, improve. Speed up this loop until you reach escape velocity. A critical aspect of improvement is reflecting—paying attention to what what works and what doesn’t. Because if you don’t slow down, you will speed right past a rewarding strategy, an untapped opportunity, or a discovery that leads you to your purpose. That would be a shame, no? Whatever you are going through today, trust the process. Don’t get discouraged by a lack of progress. Things are happening beneath the surface. Like milk boiling, it will be slow at first, and then sudden. It’s the end of the world only when you stop working.
Vishal Kataria’s Post
More Relevant Posts
-
I like being fired. It gives me great satisfaction. In my case, this isn't being fired by my boss (haven't had one of those for a while); it's being fired by my clients. And that's a good sign. Take Sean for instance (not his real name and, no, it wasn't Alan), he'd been through my 90 day Transformation Programme and was thinking and feeling like a new man. But often, particularly when there's been a significant shift in behaviour, this can almost seem too good to be true and there's a doubt that it will last (especially when nothing else has). So we embarked on some additional coaching and, in less than a month, he told me that he didn't think he needed me any more. For some people that would be a blow for client retention and revenue. But I strongly believe that no one should need to be in therapy long-term. Many of my clients I only ever see once. Their problem is solved, so why should they come back? My intention is that my services are no longer needed as quickly as possible. So nothing makes me happier than being told that a client doesn't want to work with me any more. Job done 👍 What's a personal problem you'd like to find a quick solution to?
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
-
REAL TALK: At times I don’t know how feel myself after getting laid off 3 months ago, I feel like everything is not working, I’m at a job I barely like but it is what it is to get by. I mean, I don’t focus much on paycheck I used to receive from my former company but it’s important to mention that when I was there I felt thoughtful for what I was doing because I really loved it. Every day I woke up with plenty of motivation to go to the office and get it done efficiently, happily, passionately and productively. Am I getting across? That job was absolutely amazing to me, I had the feeling that I was gonna be promoted soon or get a better position inside the organization I really felt it closer. But what happened? Well, there goes what unmotivated me the most… It turns out that my ex manager in charge is incredibly hopeless to get the hang of his own position and I just can’t believe my eyes how, why, who helped him go so far when he was not ready enough for that crucial position and then it happened, I had been working along with him on some projects earlier when he was project manager back in the day and I swear that he was a pain in the back, once this person provided me with really bad feedback with an excuse I was doing it wrong and “I should’ve done it differently” and I was indeed under performer employee, do you know how did that make me feel? when everything I was working was a lot, plan 5 lines of production, follow up with big bosses on the weekly build plans, and why this why that, when will we get down the backorder we owe the distribution centers??? I never saw my manager standing up for me when it was important for real and I was under performer tho? I don’t think so, I always did my best. Then I knew the type of guy he was, long story short he started treating my teamwork soooooo tough, we never got support from him, he always got us in trouble for making promises that would never happen and the only ones who always figured it all out was us as usual, he made us stay late at work to get excel sheets done he would never care about at all. At meetings with all the staff he put us on the spot with pending orders and hot escalations it was fucked up. I’m so grateful that my contract has expired because I was absolutely sick of him. I feel like my teammates feel the same. What I miss about everything there is that among co workers we could give us a hand in both ways and we shared the same and how glad I was doing what I loved. If you are reading this I want to say I feel you, do not give up and trust you!! I just wanted to get rid of this feeling that was consuming myself. I know sooner or later things are coming and the better I believe the better things get. Also, the importance of having a good manager around who knows well how to manage his job and provide support is rather significant. Thank you for reading this. #jobsick #realtalk #support #community #linkedin
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
In my conversations with clients this year, there've been more about belt tightening and restructuring than usual, or so it seems. Several audit team members have been displaced already. Another that I work with for years will leave their position in March. Those are tough conversations. For those impacted, it's like being at a pivotal crossroads as they contemplate questions that resonate deeply: Do I stay in internal audit? Do I take some time off for myself/family, do I switch to something else? I've navigated corporate layoffs three times in my corporate career. Contrary to what you might expect, I found it liberating. In fact - I loved it! A nice deposit in my bank account and the opportunity to create something more, something bigger, something new, that took me places, gave me the opportunity to learn new things, develop new skills, enhance the ones I already had. But I can see how that might not be the case for everyone, especially if you've got a family, a mortgage, any of a dozen of other responsibilities. Or maybe your risk tolerance is low. These things will color the experience for every individual. And that's perfectly okay. What matters is what you do next. What matters is that you don't let it drag you down into dark places. Some of the auditors I know who've been impacted have already found new positions in audit. After all, you're all in high demand these days. Another is happy to take 9 months off, that's how long they'll continue to be paid their salary. Another is going to launch a consulting business. Their outcomes fill me with optimism. If you find yourself in this position, I encourage you to take the opportunity to pause and reflect: What ignites your passion? What dreams have you shelved for 'someday'? Now might be the time to explore those dreams. Reach out for support, do your research, and then boldly take the first step towards what truly fulfills you. Taking action is what's going to get you to your next adventure. So, what's next for you? #CommunicatingForResults #ImpactInfluenceInspire #NextLevelAuditing #InternalAudit #AuditReportWriting
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
-
I've been fired. Facing setbacks isn't new to me. Each time, there's a sting, but there's also growth. Social media often feels a showcase of triumphs, where success seems effortless and self-praise fills our feeds. But behind the polished profiles and glowing testimonials lies a truth seldom shared – the journey is rarely smooth, and setbacks are part of every honest narrative. Some of the most memorable reasons I was fired include: 1. We ran out of money 2. We've got a family member that will take care of us 3. We want a faster turnaround 4. Your prices are too high 5. We want more industry-specific knowledge Honestly, all of these are totally justifiable reasons to part ways. In fact, we've welcomed clients who parted with their previous accountants for similar motives. We were more responsive, we understood their business, we were more trustworthy, and our prices were more reasonable. If I were to boil this down further, I'd say most of this is about connection. Communicate about timelines, work with the principal, price confidently, and know your client's business. With the fervor of AI, bot farms, and social media, people need connection. We try to make this our brand, imperfect as we are.
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
-
“Max… the CEO wants you fired” I got this news at 25, four months into a new role, and with a wife 3 months pregnant. Terrifying doesn’t even scratch the surface. But if I'm honest, I 100% deserved to lose my job. I was stressed out of my mind, causing me to significantly underperform. But looking back, it was a huge blessing. Here’s the story: I was promoted from sales to launch a new team. And it took me less than a month to make every mistake in the book. Acted like a big shot. Assumed everyone was there to support me. Walked over others. Overall a huge jerk. I even bought a bigger house to go with that new salary. All of this seriously lacked wisdom. The poor performance began to snowball and came to a head with two costly mistakes in the same week. Later that week I got a call from my director: “Max, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is, the CEO wants you fired. However, I and your previous director advocated for you to go back to the sales team” In what followed the 20 minute phone call, my emotions ranged from devastation to gratitude. The sentiment was clear, I should have been let go. On top of that, I had just lost a role I launched - and my ego fell with it. But I was immensely grateful that I was able to remain employed. And it meant a ton that my leaders knew my true character and weighed that above what had become my current behavior. The next 3-4 months looked like starting all over again. It was a rock bottom moment. I spent a lot of free time reflecting on the pain in the months that followed. Here's the principles I walked away with: 1️⃣ A promotion does not mean your work gets easier - it almost always gets harder. 2️⃣ The navy seals have a “no a$$hole” rule. They'd rather have someone trustworthy but less effective than a jerk who is effective. Be kind, it goes a long way. 3️⃣ It is your responsibility to be clear when you need help. No one is coming to save you. 4️⃣ If you’re having a bad day, everyone around you probably is too, so be generous 5️⃣ You cannot control what happens, only how you respond 6️⃣ Intentions don’t matter nearly as much as action 7️⃣ If you look back on yourself a year ago and aren’t shocked by how stupid you were, you haven’t learned much Tbh reflecting on this moment in my career brings some big shame and embarrassment. But its a true story - and it taught me a lot. The coolest part of all this is the redemptive narrative that followed. In those months of rebuilding, I earned a second chance and got promoted again 6 months later. The next time as a sales manager, leading 12 reps. It’s one of the best jobs I've had in my career. So if you're in a rock bottom moment - remember that it can get better. And often times, other better opportunities come around.
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Impacting Lives Attended a 2 day workshop conducted within the company, and I was so mind blown by the many inspiring stories, ideas, and experiences shared. Some are work related, while others are generally life experiences. I never felt so enriched in a long time. And I’m so glad I attended. So proud that the speakers were all within the firm. Says so much abt all the hidden talents we have among us. One of the “homework” we had to do, was to shortlist the people whom we would want to hire, or advisers whom you want to groom. They are the kind of people whom I want to value add or help in my practice. People who are positive in nature, who are grateful for things, and people who don’t just complain and complain. People who are looking for a breakthrough, people who feel that they are stuck in their current job situation and are willing to make a change, a leap of faith, to step out of their comfort zone. Or people who just want to earn the same pay, but work much lesser hours. Time is a precious commodity. And time should be spend with people worthy. Yes I am hiring. PM me and we can meet up for a chat. #infinityadvisory #infinitywealth #breakthroughs #timeisprecious
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
-
“Getting rejected from some companies are actually blessing, rather be grateful for what worked out” Rejections can be: 1. Redirecting you to better opportunities. 2. Saving you from poor fits. 3. Guiding you towards your purpose Consider: 1. Alignment: Was the company truly right for you? 2. Timing: Was it meant to be? Reframe rejection: 1. As protection from potential mismatch. 2. As a stepping stone to your success Practice Gratitude: 1. Be grateful for what actually worked out 2. Acknowledge the lessons. 3. Appreciate the journey. 4. Live in the present #rejection_is_redirection
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
**Who are the best clients? Are they always the ones with xxxxxxxx in assets?** The answer: **Not always.** The reality is, some clients come with hidden costs that can outweigh their contributions. Sure, they might elevate your bottom line, but when there's a lack of gratitude, mistreatment of your team, and an underlying mistrust—the negatives can far outweigh the positives. Give me clients who value mutual benefit any day. I'll gladly work with five smaller appreciative clients over one challenging one. The health of a top-performing team is built on a foundation where positive feedback outnumbers criticism by more than five to one. Often, when we have a lot, our expectations increase. This can lead to unrealistic demands and frequent dissatisfaction. If your expectations aren't being met, it's worth questioning whether they were realistic to begin with. Maybe, it's time for a self-check. If wealth has led you to more complaints and less gratitude, let’s pause and reflect. **Be worthy of your wealth.** #ClientRelationships #TeamDynamics #BusinessGrowth #PositiveWorkEnvironment #GratitudeInBusiness #ExpectationsManagement Embrace the clients who lift you up, not just your revenue!
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Nothing is permanent. Don't stress yourself too much because no matter how bad the situation is... it will change. Today, on July 30th, my company celebrated Dollar Day with awards for the last quarter (April, May, June). The feelings were quite mixed for me. While my colleagues and team members won good incentives and many awards, I sat there celebrating their wins. It was okay, but I felt disappointed with my own performance. Last month, I tried my best to close as many deals as possible but didn’t manage to secure even one. This month, I worked rigorously on building my client base, developing great skills for building relationships, and had numerous meetings and visits for selected projects. Now, sitting here on the second last day of the month with 5-6 clients close to closing, I know some deals will take time as clients are busy with their own commitments. I don’t want to get demotivated, but it still hurts the most. #resilience #selfsustaining #motivatingquote
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
🌟 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝟓 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 & 𝐀 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬!🌟 Time flies when you’re solving problems every single day! 💡 From waking up each morning wondering, “Will this person buy that credit card today?” 🧐, to drifting off at night with a smile, thinking about a customer's heartwarming story 😌 (and sometimes downright funny), like the one where someone, fresh out of depression, reached out for a $15 refund 😅 It’s these quirky, unexpected moments that make each role unique and rewarding. Every challenge, every milestone, every story adds a new layer to who we are as problem solvers and thinkers. 📖 What I’ve learned in these 5 years is that real growth isn’t just in climbing the ladder 🪜 but in becoming a better thinker 🤔 and problem-solver 🔧. More than money, growth, or any other factor, one thing matters the most: 𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 with your work. It’s what pushes you to keep going, motivates you to do more, and drives you to excel. It’s the engine that keeps you moving 🚗, even on days when nothing seems to go right. I’m also immensely grateful for the opportunity to work with each esteemed organization that has been a part of my journey. Thank you for believing in me and giving me the chance to contribute to something meaningful. 🙏 So here’s to the journey 🎉, the stories we carry, the problems we solve, and the satisfaction that keeps us fired up. 🔥 #5Years #ProblemSolving #CustomerStories #GrowthJourney
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Senior Manager - Customer Service
3moGreat perspective, Vishal