Lake Macquarie brand and company culture architect Heidi Alexandra Pollard understands that it only takes nine seconds to make a positive impression.
In her latest book, launched last week by Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Councillor Jodie Harrison, Heidi explains UQ (Uniqueness Quotient) and how it helps readers to discover their own unique power so they can master first impressions based on their personal strengths.
UQ, it suggests, is a deciding factor in how successful people and companies thrive in the stressful modern world of social media, fast communications and globalisation.
“Today’s highly competitive business environment demands that individuals and organisations perform at higher levels and with greater speed than ever before,” Heidi said. “Leaders and employees alike must be prepared to define what makes them unique and focus on communicating it unapologetically if they are to continue to survive in the 21st Century.”
“UQ is the sum of four key skills that every leader and company must master to balance their quadruple bottom line for success. These four skills are IQ (Intellectually Focused), EQ (Interpersonally Connected), Body (Physically Energised) and Vision (Purposefully Aligned).”
As founder and Chief Empowerment Officer for Cardiff-based UQ Power, Heidi Alexandra has created a dynamic consultancy devoted to empowering leaders and businesses to stop being copy cats and instead recognize and amplify their UQ in their workforce and the marketplace.
“Around 71 per cent of Lake Macquarie residents live and work in the area,” said Councillor Harrison. “Heidi is a local businesswoman who demonstrates the level of talent and entrepreneurialism that this region is becoming known for. I am pleased to officially launch her new book designed to help others also reach their full potential joyfully and sustainably.”
Through her work at UQ Power, Heidi has discovered that many professionals who are outwardly very successful inwardly feel caught in a vicious circle. From business owners and managers to workers at the coalface, though most are highly motivated and results driven, many are near burn out from feeling overwhelmed and undervalued.
“According to a study by BeyondBlue, stress in the workplace results in a loss of $2.7billion in employee productivity in Australia each year. I myself have worked in toxic work environments and have seen the impact on great people when they feel unappreciated and change fatigued.”
“My key learning from working as a senior leader for 15 years is that when individuals are happy in their career or business and feel respected for their unique contribution, they are generally happier and better people in all aspects of their lives.”
“What motivates people is autonomy, mastery and purpose, and the key to living those can be found in empowering individuals to live their UQ. Happy workforces grow profitable businesses that give back to the community. So my mission today is to change the world one leader at a time.”
Image | Christina Gerakiteys, Heidi Alexandra Pollard and Tracy Rees, all from UQ Power
