When we interact with various business owners, there is inevitably a time in a conversation where the topic of what is keeping the owner up at night comes into play. We try to get this on the table early in a relationship because not dealing with it is always a distraction to progress moving forward. The answers are all over the place depending on what was just the most recent problem of the day or week.
When we get serious about exploring this area of losing sleep, the business typically falls into something having to do with issues holding back of growth of the organization. It might present itself in terms of cash flow issues. It could show up in a discussion about not having talent or the ability to recruit or hire. It might show up as not having process and/or structure. There are a variety of ways owners describe the breaking down of sleep patterns but in the end, it is about having their business being able to flourish to a new and better level of results.
One of the largest challenges is to be able to have owners stop working so hard in the business (day to day energy) and to step outside and work on the business (strategy energy) for a cycle of time so it can be more productive moving forward. Owners know the business; they are typically the best salesperson, the best technician, the best_________. Unfortunately for the business owner, it takes people to make the business flourish. If the only person is the owner, then there is a defined cap on the growth to the next level. It is just a numbers thing. One can contribute X. Two can contribute 2X. Three can contribute 3X and so on. The reality is that with each additional resource on the team the increase should be a multiple factor. Two on the team strive for a 3X return. Three on the team strive for a 6X return etc. The owner who is working so diligently in the business directly caps the growth of the business because they are not enabling the multiple X growth. Their energy is focused on their own X potential and not the multiple of “X” potential for the business.
This week as the leader of the “X” team, it is time for you to explore how you can give yourself the permission to sleep and place your energy in the strategy energy mode so that the collective can grow to the next “X” level of productivity and contribution. To do this, you need talent to understand core components of your business. What is your Purpose – your why. What is your vision – what does/will it look like? Your core values and principles – how will the collective behaviors operate consistently? What are the expectations of the relationships in and outside of the business? What is the compass of success to guide, explore, develop, take action, and navigate along the path to the next level of results?
So, the first step is not with your team. The first step is with you the leader. If the leader can’t capture the next level in their head and behaviors, then it slows the whole business down. It is about understanding where the priorities need to be today, tomorrow, and next week. By using a framework, successful leaders can adapt so they can have a well-oiled business leading the charge to the next level of results. To get there, consider engaging a Promise Guide to work with you and your leadership on a Promise Culture Priority System. Engaging the discovery and action plans for Purpose, People, Pace, Perception and Profit.
JKL Associates can bring our proven system into your organization both in person or virtually. We also offer open cohorts for leaders to participate in on their own and take back insights to their business from the growth they experience. Reach out to us today for dates and more information. – Call FL (407) 984-7246 or MI (313) 527-7945.