Interviewee Name: Rodger Harding
Company Name: Harding International and Associates Inc.
Website: http://www.hardingintl.com http://www.rodgerhardingart.com
Rodger Harding – Your Invisible Mentor
Avil Beckford: Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Rodger Harding: I am a Toronto based Business Leadership consultant (Harding International & Associates Inc), painter & author; My life's work is to evolve to my fullest potential, to lead as useful a life possible – It has often been said that I am an iconoclast, whose impact results from an unusual way of approaching people and situations.
Avil Beckford: What’s a typical day like for you?
I start the day at 6:00 am with several cups of coffee, until its recent demise, enjoyed along with the wonderfully structured chaos of Tom Allen’s Music & Company (CBC 2);
I consciously take stock of being alive, my good fortune and what needs to be done that day; I tackle pressing or unpleasant tasks first, ready the office for any clients that might be due; prepare for out of office seminars; before day’s end, I ensure all paperwork/materials are ready for the next day;
I intersperse routine with personal e-mails, answering calls, a short walk or even an out of office pleasurable activity;
No two days are ever the same!
Avil Beckford: How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?
I am usually demotivated when bored, so the pursuit of a pleasurable or useful activity, paid or unpaid, usually gets me going. Like-minded sharing of ideas is perhaps the most stimulating way I know to get going – I have built up quite a vibrant circle of people who get each other! Many tell me that I am an intense individual – I guess finding people to share intensity with does it for me!
Avil Beckford: If you had to start over from scratch, knowing what you know now, what would you differently?
I would not change much!
However, If I had my time over, I would place more importance on physically related activities…As the years pass I somehow feel/know that I did not make the most of my physical attributes;
I was an awkward, clumsy child who believed himself incapable of dexterity and without detail orientation. I have learned that while my preference is for the broader, creative strokes, I am fully able to function in high detailed environments. I must add though that I prefer my own process structures to those of others….
Necessity taught me late in life that if I slowed my thinking down…many things physical became possible…..
Also…I was far too serious in my youth….I regret not burning the candle at both ends …I am making up for it now….Like a baba cool as the French would say…
Avil Beckford: What's the most important discovery you've made in the past year?
I am definitely on the right track professionally. Some 10 years ago I decided to work only with individuals/companies that are a good fit – Many advised that this was the path to ruin – I now know that, given my personality, methodology and experience this was the right choice.
Avil Beckford: What are three threats to your success and your business and how are you handling them?
Rodger Harding:
- I often presume people are on the same page – I make a point of checking in regularly to make sure I have been understood; This is especially true when marketing my business;
- Many folk prefer a tried and tested approach, or more recognizable service (providing offerings identical to those of competitors) – I am clear as to my approach and make a point of establishing a client fit, up front, that is in line with my chosen approach;
- A recurring trend is for me to immerse myself in projects without paying sufficient attention to driving new business; – Raising client awareness as to the importance of referrals has been a wonderful solution! Most new business is referral driven!
Avil Beckford: What's unique about the service you provide?
Rodger Harding: My consulting/training approach is aimed at working with who clients are, rather than who they are expected to be; 20 years plus experience has taught me the value of working with what is, rather than what isn't! This translates into the ability to recognize, understand, access, validate and empower clients, as well as to ensure relevant and ongoing outcomes.
Avil Beckford: What do you observe most people in your field doing badly that you think you do well?
I prefer to work on a subjective basis with clients, marrying their circumstance/requirements to objective market/industry/workplace realities; I have a strong aversion to labels, profiling and template driven training;
To reach other people requires a degree of risk … I believe I take those risks
Recognizing, understanding and acknowledging the individuality of others is the greatest validation I can provide!
Avil Beckford: Describe a business challenge you had and how you resolved it.
As a small business operator, immersion in tasks/deliverables is often at the expense of new business development; this results in frequent cash flow challenges;
To continue working toward my own priorities in the hands-on fashion I love, the pursuit of like-minded clients has resulted in a constant, albeit erratic, flow of referrals;
People who believe in me have helped out …without being asked! This is perhaps one of the most gratifying aspects of my life – I have somehow earned the confidence and respect of people who believe that it is important that I continue my work…..
Avil Beckford: What lessons did you learn in the process?
- It is OK to graciously receive – I had always thought it was my role to be a giver… Learning to receive, has taught me how better to give!
- I have tailored my life style to accommodate my business ethic
- I can live happily on considerably less than I was used to – Compared to my upbringing and former diplomatic life, I have no status, fewer assets and no power base, yet am happier and a far more useful member of society than ever before…
Avil Beckford: Tell me about your big break and who gave you.
There have been many! All involved random relationships that blossomed into good business deals;
Example: Soon after starting my business, I was invited to participate in a live call-in television program. A young woman, Emelia Prempeh, later called my office and asked for advice, which I freely gave. A year later she hired me to provide career guidance sessions for graduating classes at the Information Technology Institute – then a vibrant IT college that specialized in training diverse professionals and academic graduates into IT experts. I almost refused the opportunity as the compensation was way below market worth, yet my relationship with Emelia prompted me to accept – – Interaction with some 1700 people has been a vast business and personal resource that persist to this day. The 4 year experience made conscious my theory of what constitutes human excellence. I can honestly say that confidence in my unique approach to empowering others had its foundation in the intensity of the 1700 validating interactions experienced;
Avil Beckford: Describe one of your biggest failures. What lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?
Immigrating to Canada aged 40 proved a tough reality; I found myself (or so I thought at the time) unemployable, and totally without a support network. The currency exchange rate meant that I was suddenly worth 80% less than previously;
This situation prompted me to start my own business. The experience taught me that I was a good entrepreneur, I could make it on my own; I no-longer needed hand-holding…
Using who I am everyday, with or without compensation, brings untold joy;
My self-esteem and confidence are greatly enhanced. I had considered myself fairly evolved without much more to learn when I came to Canada – I was wrong! Lessons learned have awakened me to my own worth…and where true happiness and fulfillment lie!
Avil Beckford: What has been your biggest disappointment in your life – and what are you doing to prevent its reoccurrence?
My intensity in interactions with others is not always easy for them to bear; while I am loved by many I tend to overwhelm/exhaust people if I see them too often;
I am learning to measure my input, but do feel that high energy defines me – I am not really ready to water it down or to dim the lights for easy acceptance – The quest for people who are equally high octane continues; I have also accepted that my emotional fulfillment does not reside in any one person…rather in a mosaic of special relationships that have endured for years;
Avil Beckford: What’s one of the toughest decisions you’ve had to make and how did it impact your life?
That being myself will not always be the easiest route. Many see this aspect of me as arrogance/attitude, yet despite my self-consciousness, lack of confidence etc. something deep inside has always refused to go with the flow for the sake of an easier ride….
Avil Beckford: What are three events that helped to shape your life?
Rodger Harding:
- The death of a sibling at an early age taught me that a single event can transform lives overnight; building in a real acceptance of the perfect imperfection of the human condition allows me to choose a positive path forward
- The launch of the New South Africa, illustrated that the worst possible scenarios can change peacefully… The power of true democracy is a beautiful thing!
- Finding the courage to explore my creative ability has changed who I am for the better – Understanding that I can use my innate/learned competencies to embark on diverse ventures has been totally liberating!
Avil Beckford: What's an accomplishment that you are proudest of?
Rodger Harding: Being considered a real person!
Avil Beckford: How did mentors influence your life?
Mentors have held up the mirror and shown me potential I did not know I had…Oftentimes I only realized the enormity of their contribution years later…
Avil Beckford: What’s one core message you received from your mentors?
That I am a gifted person who has loads of untapped potential…Using this potential will benefit myself and others.
Avil Beckford: An Invisible Mentor is a unique leader you can learn things from by observing them from a distance, in the role of Invisible Mentor, what's one piece of advice that you'd like to give to my readers?
Rodger Harding: Any individual is able to be a role model. Awareness of personal impact provides all of us the opportunity to share who we are with others – An unsung and often unconscious process that can be of value to so many! Share who you are… whenever you can!
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