Find Hidden Obstacles Holding You Back
You are a visionary. You’ve started your business, and you know where you want it to go. You have a clear vision of what you are trying to accomplish, and what you need to get there. But for some reason, you can never seem to break through to the next level. You are always struggling and barely moving forward. Don’t give up, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are likely some hidden (unintentional) saboteurs holding you back, and when you identify them, the sky becomes the limit!
First Things First
The first thing I do when I start working with a company is learn what the business leader sees for the company. Where do they see the company and where do they want to take it? After all, most of us start a business and want to see it grow, because we all know that if our business doesn’t grow, it dies. If our competition grows faster than we do, it’s a slow death. With luck, you might be able to survive long enough retire and either sell the business or hand it over. But, without growth, your business eventually dies.
What Does Your Team Think?
Once I understand the vision for the company, I talk to the rest of the staff. Where do they see the future of the business? Is it the same picture? Chances are the vision is different, maybe even drastically different. As the business leader, you are a visionary. You can see things for what you want them to become, no matter what they actually are. Most people don’t have that same vision. Sure, you probably sent out a vision statement, and have told people what you want. But do they understand it? When you get down to nuts and bolts, you want to see your business grow exponentially, while your team just wants growth. Or even worse, maybe they just want to survive! How can you have the rapid growth you as the leader desire, when nobody shares your vision? You can’t!
Get On the Same Page
For you to multiply the value of your employees and share the vision with them, you need to bring them into the huddle. You must have everyone on the SAME page, SAME paragraph, SAME sentence, and SAME word in the SAME book! There’s no way around it. You can’t start dreaming of doubling production, when your production manager is focused on maintaining current levels. If you need to double sales, you can’t have your sales team complacent, and satisfied with present numbers. It doesn’t matter how much you want to double sales, if you are relying on somebody that is satisfied with the status quo. If they are not motivated to accomplish the same growth that motivates you, then you’ll fall short every time.
Lead to Achieve Vision
As a business leader you need to lead. I’m aware you already know this, but it’s worth repeating. One of the most important part of leading is sharing your vision early and often. The brain isn’t programmed to change behaviors because someone hears something one time. It’s the repetition of an idea that causes a change in the understanding. When you tell someone that you want to double production, they hear increase in production. There’s a big difference between those two words, and they have to hear it over and over again, before they understand it at a deep level. Once they understand it, they have to buy in to it. (why is this better for me?) and once you have their buy in, then they make changes. What is growth, after all? It’s change, dressed up to look it’s best!
To lead a business to growth, you must share your vision with your team, and ensure that they share the same vision. Do their goals align with your goals? Are you thinking double when they are thinking more?
This Week’s Challenge
Work on creating a vision for others to follow. Clearly articulate that vision to your team, and their team. Make sure everyone in the company has a goal and that it directly supports the corporate goals! Do your goals align? Great! Now go inspire them to achieve those goals!
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Quote of the Week
“Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is the process, working together is success”
~ Henry Ford