Hi all,

This week we focus very much on the power and importance of Communication, making Connections, building your Network and creating Communities. All of which my guest, Steve Lenox, does exceptionally well.

Steve runs his own consulting business, Lenox Consulting, and has offices here in Cork as well as in New York and New Jersey.

In addition to his busy consulting practice, Steve is the President of the Irish Network USA which is the national umbrella organization integrating the Irish Networks that exist in various cities across the United States. It allows members of the networks to connect with their peers and to develop relationships that will foster success in their business, economic, cultural and sports ventures. During Steve’s time here, it has grown to over 20 Chapters and has a mission to bolster business between Ireland the US.

During the conversation, which we recorded just around St. Patricks Day, Steve talks me through his career, lessons learned along the way and shares lots of advice from personal experience on how to develop and grow in business.

The topics discussed are:

Steve’s Irish American Background
Steve’s first experiences in Ireland as a student in Galway in the late 1990’s
Communicating at the core of all the work Steve does.
How Community & Communications are tied together
Always having a natural ability to talk with others and help build community
Early roles working for Senator Lautenberg in New Jersey and running his office on a day to day basis
His position of President of the Irish Network USA for the last number of years.
Focusing on Business Development, Public Affairs, Legislative Advocacy & Digital Strategy.
The difference between Statesmen v Politician
Making the decision to leave the political role to working for himself - When is the right time to do it?
Having a Mentor and Support to get his own career up and running
Having the skills to get his consulting business off the ground
Developing Business Contacts in both Ireland and the US as the Business started up
Committed enough to make produce
Core values– Honesty, Hard work, Trust, Loyalty
Control v Freedom – working this this and being able to develop this
Knowing that not every contract comes in and how to keep going!
Details on Irish Network USA – which Steve is the president of in the USA
Setting up chapters across the USA building this up
Different levels of energy required for different situations
Introvert, Extrovert and Ambiverts
Work-life Balance
Productivity and Approaches
Feeling your way through crisis and incidents
Making Difficult Decisions
Advice & Mentors – Don’t bring the problems, bring the solutions
Developing skills and approaches
Key 1% Better Tips:

Success – happy with work, paying the bills
Learning from early business mistakes
Networking & the desire to talk with others with purpose
Until someone says no, you keep on pushing!
Selling yourself and your reputation
Getting clear on the core values
Learning from the role as president – being able to accommodate different peoples personality
Delegation and know he can’t do everything
Recognising the difference between who you are in work, life and in different areas
Books Recommended: 

Oliver Plunkett on Tamony Hall

The Godfather

Get in touch with Steve:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/LenoxConsulting

Website - http://www.lenoxconsulting.com/

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