This is a guest post by team member, Joel Fortner. Be sure to follow Joel on his blog and Twitter.
Do you remember what you wanted “to be when you grew up”?
I bet it wasn’t someone who worked in a cubicle or a square office where motivation was solely found on a poster with a penguin.
Kids tend to think big, don’t they? When I was a kid, I knew kids who wanted to be doctors, lawyers, dancers and athletes. I never had a friend who strove to work from 9-5 on the third floor.
Somewhere along the line we stop being bold. Regardless of why, we get logical and find safety in blending in with the pack.
Then one day, we start a business or become a leader inside one and our finely-honed logic and fear dictate our decisions.
And when asked, “What do you do?” or “Who are you?” we say or write things like this.
We solve your needs by providing strategic solutions that leverage best practices to transform your business into a next-generation enterprise….blah blah blah. Gag me.
What does this even mean? Where’s the inspiration? Where are the people even found in this?
This happens when we lack courage. When we want to sound sophisticated.
The thing is this inspires no one. It does anything but build trust, let alone tell people what you offer.
So here’s an exercise I want you to do.
1. Get with your team and answer this question – Who are we?
Read what you’ve written down somewhere to describe your business. Talk about it for a little while. Write down what’s said.
2. Then ask, “Why do we matter?” And talk this through.
3. Compare your answers to both questions. In the second list, you will discover who you REALLY are.
Let this new perspective pour through your business. Let it shape your marketing and culture.
People want to buy from, work for and associate with people who inspire and grow them. When we don’t, we settle for less.
Who really wants to be less?
