‘Go ahead, take the plunge’

IAM sure most of us have heard that phrase from an inner voice within us, not once, but many times over. It usually relates to something we are afraid to do, something that would take us away from our comfort zone. Sometimes, we follow that inner voice. Oftentimes, we don’t, and simply stay within our norm.

The inner voice within

There are good reasons why that inner voice is pushing us out of our comfort zone.

An article from Harvard Business Review highlighted one good reason: If you’re not out of your comfort zone, you’re not learning anything. A famous author gave another good reason: “The end of your comfort zone is where the magic begins.”

PwC has its way of pushing its people out of their comfort zone. It recognizes that its people’s potentials are developed when they are outside of their comfort zone. Like most of the people in our

out of my comfort zone. Here are some at the top of my list.

Breaking out from my own

When I started as an associate at PwC, I was the shy and timid type, a true-blue introvert. I didn’t usually speak up in meetings, unless asked. I sucked at small talks. I hated big events with a lot of people around. Speaking in front of a large audience wasn’t my strong suit.

Speaking to a large audience

My partner coach, during my manager years at PwC, pushed me out of my norm. He told me he had considered me to lead the implementation of a new audit methodology that we are launching to teams. This required facilitating a number of training to teams for the entire assurance practice. Speaking to a large audience! He told me to think it over.

I lost sleep that night. My inner voice wanted me to go for it. But my reality reminded me that I was not wired for that stuff.

Eventually, I said yes. I did tons of preparation for the big day. On training day, I thought my heart is going to explode. It beat so loud I hardly heard the words in my opening spiel. One run, followed by another, and another. It wasn’t that bad after all. We had overall good reviews from the audience. My partner coach even commended the team for successful training runs.

A few years after, I have been given the opportunity to be one of the lead partners in the methodology, learning and development, and risk and quality fronts

training sessions and speaking to large audiences.

Admission to partnership

Becoming a partner at PwC in July 2007 was another push out of my comfort zone, a complete turnaround. From a follower to a leader. I am at the helm of making sure clients are constantly delighted and teams continue to be inspired on the job. I make decisions, I call the shots. Everyone looks up to me. Now, this is my 11th year as a partner at PwC. Certainly, a lot of breaking out of comfort zone, including stumbling blocks along the way, but certainly valuable learnings, too.

Learning a new industry

My admission into a partnership required my transfer to a new

This was a total switch from the consumer and industrial products industry from which I built my experience from my associate to manager years.

Meeting with top client executives with years of experience in this new industry certainly took me way out of my comfort zone. I know I needed to learn the industry fast. I sought a lot of coaching from my group partners, and even from my managers, who were the real experts in the industry. Going through thick reading materials became a requisite preparation for client meetings. I also loaded my car stereo with

that played during my drive to

is now my seventh solid

- dustry. I have become more comfortable, particularly in the insurance industry sector. Meeting with client senior executives is now more of a fruitful exchange. I have also written a number of insurance industry articles in this column. Currently, I am working with the industry players and regulators on important projects affecting the insurance industry. This

Taking the plunge

By taking the plunge, I realized I could do more outside of my comfort zone. Stumbling blocks and missteps along the way are certainly an important part of my learning process. I am a workin-progress. There’s still a lot out there to learn.

We need to seize the opportunity to learn. Listen more to the inner voice within. Do not be afraid of stumbling blocks along the way. Missteps are inevitable but an essential part of the learning process.

As one of my favorite quotes on the topic goes: “Coming out of your comfort zone is tough in the beginning, chaotic in the middle, and awesome in the end. Because in the end, it shows you a whole new world.”

So go ahead. Take the plunge! Give yourself the opportunity to learn, grow, and be a better version of yourself.

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