How to turn resilience into business, Denise Richardson

Australia, Malaysia and the Middle East – how my traumatic childhood helped me navigate worldwide business by Denise Richardson

Without enduring a traumatic childhood, it is unlikely I would have developed some key character traits, that helped propel my career success internationally, in diverse countries such as, Australia, Malaysia, Middle East and the United States

Some of these traits include resilience, communication, problem-solving self-belief, and the ability to remove limiting belief patterns.

My early years were widely different compared to other children at school.  Growing up in a single-parent household of violence, alcohol, and drugs encourages you by necessity, to mature quicker.

By the time I was 11-years old, I was the adult of the home.  I was required to navigate a route around my mother’s addictive behaviour, self-harm, overdoses, and being homeless on a number of occasions.  Early maturity for me was not only a matter of practical necessity – but also survival.

I was unconfident as a child and it would take a number of years before my confidence blossomed. However, what I did possess early on; was a good degree of emotional intelligence, common sense, and an ability to find solutions in challenging situations.

I also discovered that growing up financially poor, homeless and in an environment of criticism, grounded my ego which really helped in my leadership roles and working in diverse cultures.

In my late twenties, I relocated to Australia.  I wanted to start building a career internationally and because I was highly independent, I believed I could achieve what I set my mind to – no matter the risks.

Within six years of being in Australia, I became the Managing Director in Malaysia: my first non-western business culture.  I had now been in business for several years but working and leading a company in Asia, was wholly different to anything I experienced previously.

When undertaking business in another country, you need to learn and respect the people and their culture and understand the correct business etiquette.  Culturally, Asians operate very differently to previous cultures I had operated in.  For example, they work really long hours, and it would not be unusual for people to still be in the office at 10 pm in meetings.

I found that the comprehensive training I received in verbal and non-verbal communications skills as a nurse and a police officer in my early twenties, became a valuable asset in my cultural toolbox.

Within a few years, I would find myself in the Middle East. I became responsible for countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, amongst others.

Again, the cultural and ideological landscape shifted, with the additional challenges associated with being a woman in business. I even purchased a burka out of respect when I travelled to the less westernised parts of the Middle East.

I have had the pleasure and opportunity to live and work in some very diverse countries in the world. And no matter if those countries are in the East or West, I know my childhood experiences helped me be successful in my leadership positions and in conducting business.

It is true that I had a disadvantaged and damaging childhood, but early on, I decided that I would be defined by the choices I made in life – not the choices imposed upon me as a child.

Since leaving the corporate world, I have written and publish a best-selling memoir and established an international consultancy business with the mission to support, guide, and inspire women to have greater self-belief and courage.

In that simple maxim, I have found courage, opportunity, and a love of life.

Cruel: One Child’s Story To Survive by Denise Richardson is published by New Horizon Publishing, priced £7.95. See more at https://www.fearlessoutcomes.com/

Edited by Patrick O’Brien.

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