Michelle Mills-Porter, a Behaviour Profiler, a Speaker, and an Author, is the creator of The People Reader Analysis tools, which unleashes the magnificence of individuals. They empower organisations by releasing untapped people’s potential and fostering better communication, collaboration and performance. She is an International professional Speaker, an author and consultant and ships counsel to several of her clients. She also sits on the board of several not for profit organisations and works in service to them as Ambassador mentor and trainer. Her first company was the youngest in the UK to gain Investor in People and she is one of the most recommended people on LinkedIn worldwide.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before the venture/ corporate journey?
My upbringing was humble and challenging. Although I was considered very bright I failed my exams and joined the Royal Air Force at 17 years old, believing that I was academically challenged. Being diagnosed with ADHD at 54 helped me to understand the truth.
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 a multi award winning business leader when the trajectory of my life changed. I was caught in a smack gang in the middle of the boxing day tsunami where almost 500,000 people lost their lives in total. It was in the immediate aftermath of this that I saw straight through to the core of humanity. I realised that in the face of adversity, we show our true magnificence, and it is beautiful. It is compassionate and benevolent. I witnessed how we communicate with ease when the chips are down even when we speak different languages. I witnessed that it takes a shared goal for collaboration to work effortlessly. That if we accept every person has something of equal value to bring, and we respect that, then we can create a culture with no politics, no hierarchy, and no competition and still move mountains. It changed my life forever as I want others to be able to unleash their magnificence without having to go through the trauma that I did, to find mine. 20 years later, I have created a suite of illuminating analysis tools that help people to understand their motivation and find what fulfills them. They allow us to communicate better, to collaborate better and to achieve sky high performance.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
I want to empower people by sharing what I have learned. I want to be able to educate leaders into being better servant leaders, and I want to help everyone meet others in the middle instead of creating conflict where it does not belong. I want to reach children and help them to understand how they are perceived by others so that they can navigate their relationships and be emotionally intelligent before they reach adulthood.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
No. Academia is not relevant when dealing in soft skills. Trophies and awards nourish the ego and do not serve to help others. Courage does not have to roar, and neither does success.
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?
For us to be able to understand our own strengths, to firstly accept them, then to celebrate them. Then for us to take this learning and apply to each other so we can be truly diverse, equal and inclusive, regardless of our creed, culture, religion, background or neurodiversity.
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’s leadership today?
Only those who work indoors can ever come across a glass ceiling. If you choose to work in the corporate world, then you may be stifled at some point… but who said you have to work in that world? You can create your path outside, in the fresh air, unrestrained and free.
