How to Succeed in Business: Tips From a Superstar Leadership Expert

Ora Shtull and I have known each other for many years, but only became business colleagues within the last five. Ora is a specialist in the “mindset” of leadership.

What exactly does that mean? Read on to find out.

How we think about our business or our own performance weighs heavily on how far we go. Usually, this has little to do with external factors and a lot to do with how we respond to them. Ora has fantastic insights in this regard, and I’m delighted to bring her to you today.

David: What does your typical day look like?

Ora: One of the great things about being an Executive Coach is that each day is different.  I meet my executive clients at their corporate offices, so on many days of the week, I move around a lot.  I have to schedule time at my desk around my coaching meetings to follow up on emails, phone calls, writing, and vlogging.

David: How did you arrive on your current path?

Ora: I started my career in marketing and was less interested in how many products were sold and far more interested in how people communicated and led in the workplace.  I was fascinated by the question: What makes a leader successful? My transition to the field of professional development allowed me to explore and ultimately solve that mystery.  Based on what I observed for years, I now have my own Leadership Presence Coaching Model, and as a result, my executive clients are thriving.

David: How do you help executives without stepping on toes of their employees?

Ora: Happiness is definitely contagious.  When a leader is thriving, there is a ripple effect on the team members. A successful executive excites and empowers his or her team members.

David: What do you do to help reduce stress for clients and people you work with? 

Ora: Professionals today are definitely in a state of overwhelm.  I help them strategically determine what they need to let go of.  Delegating turns out to be not only a gift for a leader but also a gift for the team members, who need to own and master work projects.  I also help professionals with tactical time management.  It’s amazing how so many professionals have their calendars solidly booked with meetings with no time scheduled to think or even get their own work done!

David: What are some of your own professional development challenges? How are you working on them?

Ora: The field of professional development is evolving, with more independent coaches on the street and companies who want to streamline vendor management.  In a very noisy world, I must consistently target my market and communicate how I stand out and add value.

David: What counterintuitive idea would most small business owners do well to adopt?

Ora: Outsource!  Small business owners often think:  I can do it myself for less.  Sometimes it is cost-effective to outsource things, even when it seems like an unnecessary expense.  Time is indeed money.

David: What are the most common issues you notice that keep entrepreneurs and small businesspeople from reaching their full potential?

Ora: We all carry limiting mental models.  Small business owners often have mindsets that they will never be big. But we can be as big as we allow our minds to think.  So, we must start by conquering the negative voices in our heads!

David: If you could advise business owners to take one action to reduce the stress brought on by their work, what would it be?

Ora: Look at your to-do list and ask the 4 Ds: What can I delegate?  What can I delay?  What can I delete?  What can I do, but diminish?

David: What was the most important thing you did to grow your own career?

Ora: I continue to study the art and science of personal branding.  People must know not only what I do – executive coaching – but also how I uniquely help leaders power up their leadership presence.

Ora Shtull is the Founder of Ora Coaching, where she works as an Executive Coach with senior-level executives at Fortune 100 companies. To learn more, visit her website.

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