Given a choice, people do business with people and companies they like. If only Amazon has 2 day service, you might not win customers with a one week delivery schedule and no other compelling value. All things being equal, we tend to buy from people or brands we like or trust.
So, how do you create alignment and trust? Do you share your “why” with your customers, your clients, your team members? Simon Sinek talks about how to develop your why in his book “Start with Why:How great leaders inspire action”. If you want the 18 minute version watch his TEDTalk.
In this never ending pandemic, we need to stay centered and grounded. Going through the “why” exercise will help you do just that. Once you’ve created your first draft, share it. Then share it again. Make it a clean, tight 2 minute story. Some years ago, I was on a plane to hear Sinek speak at a Vistage Chair Conference. 4 chapters into reading his book, I was so excited anticipating his talk about his “why,” I started typing my “why” on my Iphone. Sinek spoke about his next book instead. Oh well. My “why” hasn’t changed.
Me: I coach leaders of organizations to be better leaders. When they become better at leading, they have more successful organizations that employ more people. That brings stability and financial security to many more families. When we have more successful and stable families we have more successful and stable communities. So making a positive difference with leaders will create a better Los Angeles and a better California.
Do you see that every 1-2-1, every peer group meeting, every interaction is an opportunity for me to make a difference in the lives of hundreds and then thousands and maybe millions of people. I am humbled and excited by the opportunity.
So you: you have a personal “why” and a company “why”. I challenge you to get connected with both and to share them. Be centered and clear and a little vulnerable.