Lorraine Lane, who is known as the “Results Coach”, is on a mission to help business owners find their voice.
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 Vermont in a small community. When I launched into the corporate world, I had to learn quickly how to maneuver in a much larger community. Any self-confidence that I might have had disappeared! I had never traveled outside of Vermont. My first business trip required flying. It was terrifying. Others might think of this as an adventure! The awareness of my inexperience prompted me to observe and learn as quickly as possible. Looking back at that time in my life, it never occurred to me to ask for help. The achiever in me resulted in promotions to ever-increasing responsibilities. The last 8 years of my 15 year corporate career were spent in developing training for managers across the US. When my whole department was laid off, it was devastating. Soul crushing! Truthfully, I never intended to start my own business. It kind of just happened! Again, I had to learn quickly the “how” of being a business owner. Again, it didn’t occur to me to ask for help. I didn’t even know the questions to ask! When I’m coaching my clients, I ask hundreds of questions! There’s gold in the answers.
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!”
This question made me laugh! My business didn’t start with a small idea. It was a push and pull because the economy was in the tank and my job search was not resulting in job offers that I wanted or could afford to take. The free lance work – training and coaching – that I was engaging in was paying the bills. So much so that our accountant suggested that I was a business owner. I rejected that idea but it kept coming up. Finally, I gave up trying to find a job and printed up business cards! I often say that I still haven’t found a job. The “yes” was not very loud or very confident when I said it 20+ years ago. It is louder now because I truly enjoy working with my clients.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
In my role as an executive coach and trainer, I invite my clients to step into their leadership roles. This requires that they understand what’s required of them in their current assignment. Often, managers keep doing the things that got them promoted. So, they never step into the leadership position fully. When a manager “gets it”, everything changes! For the better.
My business clients often describe themselves as overwhelmed and at a loss on how to find the rewards that they want from owning their businesses. The impact I make is the discovery of where the joy is and do more of that! And do less of the overwhelm. When business owners attempt to ‘do it all’, they lose the sense of who they are and who they are meant to serve.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
I have served as a leader in various organizations such as several local Chambers of Commerce and other networking groups.
I have authored 2 books that are available on Amazon. One of my clients asked me to develop a management academy for their management staff. That training resulted in the reduction of staff turnover from 17% turnover to 85% retention in a matter of 8 months.
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?
The change I would like to see in the world is the care of children through responsible and caring parenting.
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?
That’s a book! When women find their voice – their own voice – their leadership will save the world.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Find your voice. Stand for who you are. Support other women.
