Chelsea Long
Case Study & Review

In your own words, what would you say to someone thinking about attending the Shift?

I wasn't sure if it would be for me but having the opportunity to work on myself and on my business for 2 days was great. I was sitting next to other professionals and able to dedicate time to really think about my business and leadership with fresh, objective eyes and ideas. Truly inspiring and motivating. It gave me clarity and got me excited again!

What were your expectations or goals when you attended the Shift leadership experience?

I didn’t have many expectations, but I did want to gain more confidence in my leadership. I went in with an open mind as this was my first time doing anything like this.

How did the Shift help you?

I especially loved day two where we studied Exactly What to Say; it was so interesting. I learnt how to approach difficult conversations in a totally different way to get the best outcome and empower my staff.  I have also shifted to use the techniques learnt in my sales calls too. It really opened my eyes about how to ask higher quality questions and get more curious in how I lead and communicate.

Please share any specific examples or instances where you have applied the strategies or insights gained from the Shift?

I immediately changed the communication in our email marketing. As a result, we are engaging in more conversations and gaining higher levels of conversion as our questions are more open and curious.  I believe it has shifted and elevated really helped my leadership and general communication as I am now opening more conversations with our team and finding out what they need from me to get the best out of them and the business.

What were the most valuable lessons, outcomes or skills you experienced during the Shift?

 A number of outcomes:

• Gaining clarity with the direction we are going in.
• Gaining clarity on our values and goals.
• Shifting my leadership approach to one where I am taking the team on a journey with me and have revised our performance related bonus as a result.
• How not to avoid uncomfortable conversations by simply getting more curious in my communication.
• Becoming more coach like in my leadership, asking questions and coaching the team rather than giving them all the answers, therefore empowering them to make decisions.

How would you describe the impact of the Shift on your leadership abilities and style?

That I don’t have to be authoritative or lead in a way I've never been before with the team to get results.  I can lean in on my strengths and lead my own way with more curiosity, which in turn is opening them up to getting better results.  I now have weekly meetings with the team to reflect and recognise progress, check in on how they are feeling regularly and together we are reflecting on our opportunities to do better.  We have revised some of our systems and processes in so everyone is clearer on their input and direction. I am reviewing the roles that they do and have started to implement changes to our organisational structure with a brand new hire joining us and one of our key team members being promoted into her first leadership too. It has also meant I am employing new hires where we have gaps to ensure we have a compliment of different skills, but with aligned values.  Meaning we get to all leverage our strengths to achieve better results.

How would you describe Leigh’s style of facilitation, leadership and training?

Leigh made it feel safe.  I felt nervous and out of my depth before I arrived, but she held a space that made me feel open and comfortable. Leigh has so much knowledge and encourages you to be authentic to you, so you shift to a better version of yourself (not a new one). You don’t have to totally change the way you are; you can adapt the way you approach things. 

Would you recommend "The Shift" leadership experience to others? If so, who and why?

Yes, I would. It really does do what is says on the tin.  It shifts your perspective, gets you thinking differently and taking different action.  It’s only been 2 months and I have so far made many big improvements and as a leader in my business have much more clarity on where we are going. I didn’t know whether it would be for me, but it was so insightful and I have benefited massively.

I got so much value from Leigh and the Shift that I have gone on to invest in Elevate™ - Leigh’s 12 month mastermind (peer to peer mentoring) and included her 1:1 package too which I can use for my own coaching and in house consultancy to help with with the team as we evolve too.

Having access to Leigh and her coaching helps me gain a different perspective, gives me a sounding board to explore and discover and working alongside my peers in a small group is great for brainstorming ideas and challenges, whilst keeping me accountable too.  It is making the world of difference to me.   We have changed so much in our systems, processes and structure and I have gained so much more confidence in my leadership.

I highly recommend the Shift™ and working with Leigh.