What if the key to success wasn’t just about hitting goals but about refining the journey itself? In the latest episode of .team Talks!, host Jane Hales sits down with Rachel Swann to explore why process matters and how it fuels business growth, creativity, and unexpected discoveries.
A Career Built on Curiosity, Courage, and Coachability
Rachel Swann’s career journey spans industries as varied as steel, lingerie, gaming, and SaaS. Despite their differences, she has found that success in any field boils down to a few fundamental principles: curiosity, courage, and coachability.
Throughout the conversation, Rachel emphasizes how these three qualities drive growth, whether in consultative sales, revenue operations, or leadership. By staying curious, asking the right questions, and being open to coaching, individuals and businesses can refine their processes and make informed, strategic decisions.
Process as a Tool for Efficiency and Innovation
One of Rachel’s most compelling insights is the value of process—not as a rigid structure, but as a framework that empowers efficiency and innovation. Processes eliminate unnecessary decision-making, allowing individuals to focus on what truly matters. Yet, Rachel also warns that processes shouldn’t be followed blindly. The key is to periodically evaluate and optimize them to ensure they still serve the larger business mission.
She shares an example of an outdated invoice approval process that had been unnecessarily complicated for years—until she asked a simple question: “Why do we do it this way?” It turned out that one of the approval steps was in place merely out of habit. By simplifying the process, the company saved time and resources, demonstrating the power of questioning existing workflows.
Why Businesses Struggle with Change
A particularly thought-provoking moment in the discussion is when Rachel and Jane address why so many companies struggle to align their processes with their evolving strategies. Businesses often update their strategies every 18 months, yet their operational processes may go untouched for four years or more. This misalignment can lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and stagnation.
Rachel argues that organizations should apply the same level of scrutiny to their internal operations as they do to their strategic goals. Just as businesses analyze market trends and customer behaviors, they should regularly assess whether their processes still serve their intended purpose.
The Courage to Challenge Assumptions
A major theme in Rachel’s career—and in this conversation—is the courage to challenge assumptions. Many professionals assume they understand their customers, their competitors, and their workflows without truly questioning them. However, real growth comes from asking, “What does success look like in their own terms?” and “Is this the most effective way to achieve our goals?”
Rachel shares a humorous but insightful take on ROI (Return on Investment). Many professionals claim to prioritize ROI, but few actually define what that means in concrete terms. For one client, success simply meant spending their full marketing budget so they wouldn’t lose funding the next year. Understanding these nuanced perspectives is what makes consultative sales and process refinement so powerful.
Why You Should Tune In
If you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or professional looking to refine your approach to growth and efficiency, this episode is a must-listen. Rachel Swann’s insights into the power of process, the importance of questioning assumptions, and the role of curiosity in business will challenge the way you think about success.
👉 Tune into this insightful conversation on .team Talks! and discover how embracing the journey leads to growth, creativity, and unexpected discoveries.