Time is the most precious commodity for us business owners. We’re visionaries who love shiny new things and getting stuck into the next project often before the last one is finished. Doing the detail isn’t our strongest point, and our constant changing of priorities, and inability to delegate effectively, often gets in the way and leaves us frustrated.

But this week I’m reflecting on all of this, because we said farewell to our Apprentice Stuart. It’s been quite a journey (cue X-Factor music). You see, when Stew came to our Apprentice Open Day last year, along with 12 other budding candidates, you wouldn’t have known he was there. He wouldn’t say boo to a goose and was desperately out of his comfort zone. BUT he stood out. Not just because of this, but also the fact he walked miles in the rain to get there (45 minutes early), was the only one to bring along his CV (dripping wet), and was the only one to follow-up (via email to avoid speaking to anyone) as soon as he got home (we booked him a taxi).

We took a punt, offered him the role, and he’s been with us for 12 productive months. He’s helped us launch I don’t work Fridays and was instrumental in getting it to an Amazon #1 bestseller, he’s devised and implemented social media strategies for various businesses (including our own), enriched our website, created the artwork for our SCALE Operating System Handbooks, got us using video and so much more.

And it’s not just technical skills he’s developed. We’ve been proud at his increasing confidence with people – as our clients have also noticed – he happily picks up the phone…he asks visitors how they are, what can he get them to drink…he walks with a spring in his step. We’ve loved having him around.

You see, the lesson we learned in all of this is that all Stew needed resonates with one of our philosophies on our SCALE Manifesto:

People need something to believe in, someone to believe in, and someone to believe in them.

Powerful isn’t it.

And something to think about this week.