Against The Grain

23 - 3 Ways To Level Up Your Leadership

There’s this misconception about LEADERSHIP - that only the chosen few are leaders, that the title of leader has been reserved for the top ranks only. There’s also this belief that to be a great leader you need to change the world.  Not true! We are ALL leaders. It doesn't matter if you're the president, a professor or a humble parent, you ARE a leader. You see leadership has nothing to do with your title. It’s about how you treat people, how you listen, how you make them feel. So whatever role you play in life - be it personal or professional - at some stage leadership WILL be required of you. So wouldn’t it be wise to figure out how you can become the best leader you can be? This episode talks about the big shift we're starting to see in how we view leadership, and the emergence of modern leaders leading from their heart and putting service ahead of self-interest. You’ll learn what good leadership looks like and how you can easily level up your leadership abilities and positively impact others. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2277880/open_sms] Connect with me on IG: louise.fuster [https://instagram.com/louise.fuster?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==] Jump on my mailing list HERE [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6361de3b73ea718dcff1196d] Grab your free Retreats On Repeat workbook HERE [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63abcd421488000c28b9bca8] Work with me as your coach HERE [https://calendly.com/louisefuster-coachingretreats/your-free-2023-activation-session-clone]

22 - How To Persevere When All You Want To Do Is Quit

Perseverance is a quality highly valued in our society. Some like to say it’s the secret sauce to lifelong success. And yet, while it is a valuable trait, it isn’t the sole determinant of success. There are many factors that contribute to success - there’s also focus, consistency, passion, attitude, and a willingness to learn, grow & adapt. However having a solid commitment to yourself to stick at things is the one thing that will always give you an edge in life and in business. Perseverance matters. And WHAT we persevere at matters. To experience anything meaningful in life - be it excelling in your craft, becoming a leader in your field, building a business or running a marathon - it will require some devotion to your long-term visions.  In this episode of Against The Grain you’ll learn ways to strengthen your perseverance, and how to stay the course when your perseverance tank might be running on empty. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2277880/open_sms] Connect with me on IG: louise.fuster [https://instagram.com/louise.fuster?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==] Jump on my mailing list HERE [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6361de3b73ea718dcff1196d] Grab your free Retreats On Repeat workbook HERE [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63abcd421488000c28b9bca8] Work with me as your coach HERE [https://calendly.com/louisefuster-coachingretreats/your-free-2023-activation-session-clone]

21 - The Impact Of Heartfelt Hospitality On Your Guest’s Experience

Hosting a ‘holy crap this is the best retreat I've ever been to’ is less about your itinerary and inclusions and more about how you make your participants FEEL. So while gift bags and monogrammed journals are definitely nice they're not going to create such a lasting impression that your guests trip over themselves to come back for more of whatever it is you’re offering. You wanna know what will though? Providing GENUINELY GREAT HOSPITALITY!  Yep…  * Actually giving a sh*t about your attendees * Having their best interests at heart, and  * Making that your unique point of difference It’s no longer enough for people to leave your retreat feeling relaxed and inspired for a fleeting fluffy moment. The experience you’ve delivered should resonate long after your event ends. And it's your duty as a retreat leader to create that. This episode of Against The Grain emphasizes the importance of providing genuinely great hospitality: * What it is * Why it’s vital in elevating your guest experience, and * How you can incorporate it into your retreat business.  Because aside from delivering on your retreat promise, embodying HEARTFELT HOSPITALITY is what will bring your attendees back to do business with you time and time again. *Note: This episode is relevant to any individual or business who provides some form of customer service - how you treat your people, how you listen, how you make them feel should be right at the top of your priority list. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2277880/open_sms] Connect with me on IG: louise.fuster [https://instagram.com/louise.fuster?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==] Jump on my mailing list HERE [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6361de3b73ea718dcff1196d] Grab your free Retreats On Repeat workbook HERE [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63abcd421488000c28b9bca8] Work with me as your coach HERE [https://calendly.com/louisefuster-coachingretreats/your-free-2023-activation-session-clone]

20 - The One Thing That Can Fast Track Your Dream Retreat Into Reality

When you first envision running your own retreats you don’t quite grasp the extent of what you’re getting yourself into. Sure you might have a general idea of what you think you need to do to organise and bring to life an in-person event, but in reality running retreats is like an iceberg. There’s the bit you see floating above the water, the best part and most fun which is hosting your retreat, and then there’s a whole heap that’s going on below surface level that you don’t easily see. The work that’s not often showcased or talked about, frankly because it’s not that glamorous, but it’s super important as it’s a big reason why many aspiring retreat leaders give up on their retreat dream. It’s event planning… and because it's complex, time consuming and oftentimes stressful, it’s an area where you’ll most likely require SUPPORT. To lead a retreat and do it well you must focus deeper than just the tip of the iceberg. In this episode of Against The Grain you’ll hear why leaning on support is a smart move, even for seasoned retreat leaders.  And you’ll learn * How calling in support can fast track your dream retreat into reality… even if you have no idea what you're doing. * The different types of support available based on your current circumstances and needs. * How support is the backbone to setting yourself up for repeated retreat success. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2277880/open_sms] Connect with me on IG: louise.fuster [https://instagram.com/louise.fuster?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==] Jump on my mailing list HERE [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6361de3b73ea718dcff1196d] Grab your free Retreats On Repeat workbook HERE [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63abcd421488000c28b9bca8] Work with me as your coach HERE [https://calendly.com/louisefuster-coachingretreats/your-free-2023-activation-session-clone]

19 - The Power Of Planning: The Key To Delivering Incredible Events

Having the vision for an incredible retreat and deciding you’re ready to run one, is one thing. Actually planning and preparing your in-person event is another thing entirely. Before you get to step into the limelight and play host to your retreat attendees, at least 90% of your time, effort & energy will be consumed by all of the planning and organising that has to come FIRST. And it’s here where a lot of potential retreat leaders find themselves paralysed by the often complex planning process. I get it. As someone who’s spent a literal lifetime working in roles that require excellent planning, organisation and time management - with 20 of those years managing, operating and delivering events - I know there’s a heck of a lot of planning and coordinating that takes place BEFORE it's retreat time. There's so many elements to consider AFTER you’ve nutted out your retreat vision & vibe. So if you're about to or are in the early stages of putting a retreat together, OR if you’ve been imagining leading your own retreat in the future and have been wondering how much effort and energy will be required… this episode is for you. I’m dropping insider knowledge about the POWER OF PLANNING RETREATS > Why you shouldn’t poo-poo planning > What’s needed to properly plan a successful in-person event  > And the time it realistically takes to get shit sorted So when the opportunity comes to lead a retreat, you are adequately armed to prepare and deliver the best possible experience your people will love! Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2277880/open_sms] Connect with me on IG: louise.fuster [https://instagram.com/louise.fuster?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==] Jump on my mailing list HERE [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6361de3b73ea718dcff1196d] Grab your free Retreats On Repeat workbook HERE [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63abcd421488000c28b9bca8] Work with me as your coach HERE [https://calendly.com/louisefuster-coachingretreats/your-free-2023-activation-session-clone]