Exclusive Interview with Vered Lerner
Today we’d like to introduce you to Vered Lerner.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
My pleasure to speak with you!
I believe we are all exactly where we need to be at any given time. For me, life has been quite interesting. The journey so far has been fascinating. With every experience there has been a valuable lesson. There have certainly been ups and downs, disappointments and celebrations, as well as many AHA! moments.
In my opinion, earned experience is much more valuable than learned information. While formal education is wonderful, it does not provide the practical aspect of experiencing something and actually dealing with its every aspect. I have a deep appreciation for the hands-on process of acquiring progressive knowledge and skills.
I was fortunate to be raised in a business-oriented environment where creativity is encouraged and a safe space is provided for trial and error. I witnessed multiple businesses take off, some soaring and some crashing. Failure is part of the business process and is actually positive if handled properly. This is what set the stage for me to climb the corporate ladder, ultimately leading me to venture out on my own as a confident entrepreneur.
The exposure I had to small business ownership, followed by corporate experience and working as a freelancer for multiple companies inspired me to develop creative solutions to common business problems. In addition to this, interpersonal relationships intrigue me and are a huge factor in business. The combination of people and operations can make or break a business. That’s my area of expertise.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Challenges are a part of growth and can be overcome. I believe that incremental successes should be celebrated and each progression is a step closer to the ultimate goal. Since goals do (and should) change as we develop, our attitude must also be adjusted.
Some of the challenges I faced relate to typical issues in the business world including personality types of various colleagues, managers and clients as well as inefficient or inadequate systems. Other challenges came from extenuating circumstances like family demands and access to resources.
I learned very early on to identify the core problem and not focus on the surface symptom. This means that I look beyond the obvious and analyze on a deeper level. It often leads to situations that can seem uncomfortable but when rectified properly are highly rewarding.
I am not one to give up quickly and will take the time for due diligence. If I need more information, I do my research. If it’s a human conflict, I consider the source and possible root cause. For instance, if I lack a technical skill I will either learn it or hire an expert in that particular field. If I find myself in a personal conflict with someone, I approach the situation with an open mind and benefit of doubt.
My ability to remain neutral and positive allows me to maintain composure and stay focused. There have certainly been times where my limits have been tested and I’ve learned to apply self regulation techniques.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I founded Bizstance Services Inc., a full-service management consulting agency, providing professional business services, consulting, coaching and corporate training internationally; and VLC – Vered Lerner Coaching, focusing on the individual within, with an emphasis on Emotional Intelligence.
You. Empowered! Success Academy by Vered Lerner delivers training and coaching in business, leadership and personal development as well as confidence, storytelling and public speaking development.
Our programs are offered both in person (on-site depending on client location) and virtually with remote access for group training and coaching as well as private one-to-one options.
I specialize in helping individuals, teams and businesses operate with clarity from a strong foundation. I work with clients committed to reaching the next level and prepared to do what it takes to get there.
Clients are empowered with a combination of education and action steps to ensure strategy implementation for optimum results. It’s one thing to possess knowledge but quite another to apply it. Working with a consultant or a coach is most effective in staying on track and maintaining accountability.
Our holistic approach to addressing issues and solving problems results in increased productivity and higher profits. While working with individuals and teams, I focus on relationship building and positioning people for success by developing their skills and emotional intelligence.
I am sure there are other great companies delivering fantastic results. The benefits of working with me are the personal touch and customized solutions I am known for. We genuinely care about our clients and offer continued support.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
The best advice I was given and continue to share with others is to embrace everything it takes to succeed. This presents differently for everyone but the basic assumption is that finding success takes time, effort, consistency and commitment.
Education is important and knowing how to apply it is wisdom. That combination is an ideal formula for success. It is also distinguishing when to keep going and when to walk away, how much to give and when to say no. People-pleasing is one of the top reasons preventing success. Boundary setting is critical.
Both personal and professional endeavors require your all to succeed. Expecting things to work out without putting in the effort is simply unrealistic. Moreover, when things are going well, they need to be maintained. It is advisable to seriously think about all of the details pertaining to a desired outcome.
Career and business success demand a lot of your personal time and resources. Staying relevant is important and what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. Keeping up with trends in your industry is smart thinking. Anticipating changes is forward-thinking. When you are staying ahead, you are not catching up. By doing so, you may also be regarded as a thought-leader.
It’s important to point out that professional success does not automatically translate to personal success. There are many people who have a thriving career, are financially wealthy, travel in great social circles, yet find themselves unhappy. True success must be defined before being pursued.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success is viewed differently by every person. One may attribute it to wealth and another to health. One may measure success by educational credentials while another by professional accomplishments.
Our cultures, backgrounds, environments and families usually influence the way we regard success. We may also be affected by expectations from those around us including educators, friends and colleagues.
As we mature and evolve, our perceptions and appreciations change. What mattered before may not seem as important now and as we transform, so do our preferences and desires.
For me, success is a combined sense of accomplishment, satisfaction and pride. It does not necessarily have the same value or level across the board or at all times. For every age and stage there are different types of successes.
To me, personal success is continued personal development with gradual growth and sustainable improvements. This means that I understand and accept myself. I acknowledge what I need to pay attention to but don’t allow it to overshadow the positive. Healthy relationships are definite blessings.
Professional success is evidenced in the way people and businesses are impacted by my work. My mission is to improve lives and businesses. By doing so, they can continue to do their work and pay it forward. When we are intentional in providing value, everyone benefits.
Overall success is when our personal and professional lives are harmoniously intertwined. This allows for smooth transitions between work, family and recreation. It is when we live life purposefully and meaningfully by design.
What’s next for you?
I am excited for the future. I anticipate adding more trainings to the academy so they can be easily accessed by those seeking improvement, development and growth.
It is clear that emotional intelligence awareness is gaining more popularity and respect with a deeper understanding of how important it really is in every area of our lives.
While I enjoy working with adults to develop their emotional intelligence, it is apparent that we need to start earlier in life. It is always easier to operate from a strong foundation and it is our responsibility to provide it to the younger generation.
I am currently working on emotional intelligence training for children and youth so that they can lead a better quality of life from an early age. This will be geared towards their progressive level of understanding and available to parents, caregivers and educators.
I am also working on empowering young adults with important life skills that will prepare them for the reality of the business world and life events. The goal is to prevent overwhelm and unpleasant surprises as they transition from one stage to the next, as well as developing solid decision making skills.
Continued learning is something I support and welcome. There is always wisdom to gain from every situation and encounter. There is a lot to be said for keeping our eyes and ears not only open, but ready to absorb something new.
I look forward to creating a greater global impact and inspiring more future leaders.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
For more information about professional business services, consulting, coaching, corporate training programs, workshops and emotional intelligence development:
vered@bizstance.com
437.800.1221