Penny Wood
Penny Wood is a Business Leadership Success Coach.
She tells us that, “As a Business Leadership Success Coach I’m passionate about helping business leaders and entrepreneurs take BOLD actions that deliver next level success!
I do that through:
- Executive Coaching – to private individuals and inside organisations
- Delivering leadership development programmes – within organisations
- Public speaking coaching – supporting leaders on how to speak in public with confidence, passion, poise and power!
Prior to starting my consulting business I worked as a Senior Project Manager on several large-scale construction projects in the UK and the USA, notably the $2 billion historic renovation of the United Nations HQ in New York. My vast experience at a senior level allows me to understand what it’s like to lead on complex projects and assignments – so I feel your pain!!!”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I grew up in the beautiful rolling hills of the Devon countryside in the UK. I had many dreams that I wanted to achieve – but if you’d asked me at the age of ten if I would have my own executive coaching consultancy, working with leaders from all over the world, I probably would have thought you were talking about someone else! However, one thing I knew is that I would never take the traditional path in life and I knew I would be on an incredible journey of some sort, I just didn’t know how that would unfold. I’ve always been persistent with my goals because I’m driven by a passion to continually improve in whatever I do. I have a lot of tenacity and grit and I push forward all the time, so I always know something interesting is around the corner – I just don’t know what it is yet and that really excites me! I’ve worked in the corporate environment for many years in the construction industry as a Senior Project Manager, in the tech industry coaching, training and developing leaders, I even started out my career as a Stage Manager in the West End theatre in London, so I’ve had quite an unusual, exciting journey. I’ve always loved finding new opportunities and challenges and that’s why I love being a global citizen, connecting with people from different cultures and communities, learning about their lives, sharing their amazing food, sharing conversations and experiences with them. There is nothing better! You never know what someone is going to say when they respond in a conversation and that’s incredibly exciting. We learn together…
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
I was working in New York and I joined Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit speaking and leadership organisation. I started delivering speeches in public, running workshops, I became President of my club, the ex-twin towers club Talk of the Towers in Manhattan and people started telling me that I was really great at speaking and delivering workshops and that I should do that as a job! My confidence grew during that time and that was the seed that motivated me to start my own consultancy and I’ve never looked back! What I would say to anyone wanting to start a business is that there will come a time when you’ll feel it, the emotion will rise from deep inside your gut and you’ll know that you’re ready to start on that journey to create your business. It’s an incredibly exciting and scary feeling at the same time. Be brave, be BOLD and take action – and amazing things can happen for you too!
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I’m a huge supporter for empowering and supporting women in any industry at whatever point you are in your career, because I know how hard it is to create your own path and to make your mark in the world. The one thing I would say to every woman out there is that you have an important message to share with the world – you may not know what it is right now, but once you discover it, start sharing it because the world needs new ways of thinking, new ideas, new voices and you have an amazing opportunity to do that. Step into your new future, the world is waiting for you…
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
I would say that women leadership today is a dynamic and transformative force in workplaces worldwide.
When I reflect and think about what’s happened, over the past few decades there has thankfully been a significant shift as more women step into leadership roles demonstrating their knowledge, experience, capability and resilience. I’ve seen it in boardrooms and senior leadership environments where having a different perspective in that space has completely changed the final decisions and outcomes of conversations, making a hugely positive difference to organisations and their employees in the modern business world. It’s amazing what transformation can achieve if the people in the room open their mind to new possibilities. It’s also well known from the research out there that companies with diverse leadership teams tend to perform better financially, so it’s a win/win for everyone.
For me, it’s also really important for younger generations coming through to SEE women in the top positions because those positive role models serve as powerful inspiration for the businesswomen of the future, encouraging them to aspire to leadership roles and pursue their career goals with confidence – knowing that it’s possible to achieve at that level because they see women all over the world achieving greatness. If you can see women leading, as a young girl you’re more likely to strive for those career choices and roles. I’m a volunteer mentor for schoolgirls aged 14-15 in my local area who are starting to think about their futures and listening to them talk about their goals and aspirations and how they see the world, spurs me on to support and encourage them as much as I possibly can. I love being able to be a contribution to their futures.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
I would say that I’ve learned from a very young age to never give up, no matter how many times you fall or fail or don’t succeed in something – it’s what you do next that’s important. It shows who you are and that you are someone who will achieve no matter what! That’s why my vision for my clients and for everyone out there in the world is all about taking BOLD action. It’s only when you take BOLD action that you will shift the dial, push forward and achieve new results and next level success.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
You have something unique and amazing to share with the world. Work out what that is and go out there, grab every opportunity and achieve your dreams. I’m living proof that they can come true – but you have to do the work, stay strong through the journey (which will have its ups and downs for sure), and keep pushing forward every single day no matter what – remember, it’s a marathon not a sprint!
If you want to discuss your goals and aspirations with me, then let’s have a conversation. You can find me across the following platforms:
LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/pennywoodtalks
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pennywoodtalks/
Email: penny@pennywoodtalks.com
Website – www.pennywoodtalks.com
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