Over the Christmas break I undertook some ‘administration’!  Finally sorting through those bits of paper, electronic files and e-mails in the hope of making identifying information more efficient in 2015!

I managed to do this but a valuable by product was finding a page of quotes some past and recent graduates of Growing Talent had sent.  They made me realise that even when politics raises its ugly head in trying to do something new, the value to people in the ‘just do it’ mantra I adopted many years ago makes it more than worthwhile.

‘There are no limits to growing talent.  Attitude, dedication and determination will decide your destination.’ – previous to Growing Talent this person had little education and zero commercial work experience.  They had researched and helped build a family website over a few months.  Now he is an integral part of the team of this manufacturer in Southwark.  He undertakes payroll – having passed all three levels of Sage, company records and administration.  His personal confidence has soared.

‘Be flexible and adaptable to new changes.  This will be a stepping stone to a great future.’  This accountancy graduate had a troubled early life having arrived in the UK as a refugee with her family.  Living in temporary accommodation with her family the uncertainty of home/work didn’t detract from her determination.  She is now working her way up a global management records company with her eye on their accounts department.

‘Stay strong! Remember why you are doing this and what your end goal is.  Make use of every opportunity you find’.  A graduate in communications with a passion for art and photography, this person was outwardly confident having been encouraged by parents, each with their own business, to succeed in everything from an early age.  However, on leaving university the jobs didn’t come and the confidence dipped.  They are now working in recruitment as a consultant and have set-up their own on-line business as well.

The guys wrote these quotes to encourage those following them on Growing Talent  Having been with them on their journey start to finish and still in touch with them know, it encourages me how much Growing Talent meant to them, what it has done for them and what the skills learnt on the programme will do for them in the future.

Having re-read these and remembered the individuals’ powerful journeys I am determined to ‘just do it’ when met with the ‘politics’ of partner organisations.

If you have read this, take the time to think of the difference you have made to others both at work and at home.  Be enthused at the impact you have on others and ‘just do it’ next time you are faced with a challenge!