What is it that propels women into zones of great accomplishment from zones of pleasant safe comfort? I call it – comfort zone relocation!
Lisa Weber, 46, the daughter of a New Jersey taxi driver who was president of Individual Business for MetLife Inc., one of the world’s largest providers of insurance and financial services - a hulking enterprise with $19 billion in revenues and some $1.5 billion in operating profits – has definitely set the bar for moving out of her comfort zone.
Weber hesitated in 1998, fearful she had no sales background, when asked by Rob Henrickson, MetLife’s CEO, to take a role in operations. She could have stayed in a position that required little risk, no need for competition, and few reasons for assertion.
Did that stop her? No. Weber realized the promotion wasn’t about sales, but leadership. Not just any leadership - her leadership. Leadership that places you in the executive boardroom.
Moving out of her comfort zone she learned to depend on people to assist and guide her – which is the essence of leadership. Ms. Weber shapes the objective and stirs the ambition of everyone around her.
Thursday, January 21, 2010. Ms. Weber resigned. 6 months earlier her position had been eliminated under a company restructuring. She had the choice to stay.
What do we know for sure about Lisa Weber? She is still a natural leader and talent for mastering business. She continues to think differently, beyond her comfort zone, and act on those thoughts.
Weber trusts what she knows and knows what she can trust. She has the fortitude, the business acumen, and the relationship ‘smarts’ to be a great leader. She tells the truth in a tough world.
You see, Lisa Weber knows there is more to be done.
How do YOU know when there is more to be done?
By assessing your comfort zone. Is it too comfortable? Are your goals becoming blurry? Is the zest for life gone? What desires keep you awake at night? And the big one – what will you regret?
Women are acknowledging their hunger for pushing beyond the boundaries set for them by society – and by themselves. Why? What could possibly be on the other side?
Here’s what waits for you; new experiences, a deeper sense of you, abundance, solutions, growth and that great adrenaline rush on your way to victory! Don’t wait another minute – the corner office is waiting!
Me? I’ll keep my eye on Lisa Weber.
My next post will illustrate HOW to break free from comfort zone hell!
What’s happening in your comfort zone? I’d like to know.
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