I also believe when you feel resistance to something because it’s embarrassing or cringey, that’s actually a sign that it might be time for some vulnerability on your part.
As a leader it’s actually a requirement that you are open to this kind of self-analysis because it’s directly related to performance.
You don’t have to be vulnerable in public if you don’t want to.
You can read this on your phone in private.
I’m the one who has to write it.
It’s feelings time.
The vision exercise
Early on while running my agency, we did a vision exercise.
Part of it was to imagine the things we might achieve. Unattainable and aspirational things at the time.
- Big numbers to hit
- Dream clients to work with
- Talented people to hire
We were precise, putting actual names down.
The specific I remember the most was we said that when people on our team got married, we wanted to be invited to their weddings.
That one sticks in my mind because we absolutely crushed it, and were invited to two.
And at both weddings, there was a point in the speeches, where they took time to talk about the agency. Not just a passing mention either, there were other people from the team there and they gave a shout out the relationships we’d all built with each other.
If you were going to push me for the most rewarding moment in running my agency it would probably be that.
What else does it tell us about me? I like to be the centre of attention at weddings? I don’t know.
Let’s stop analysing me, it’s your turn.
Sentimentality as a competitive advantage
The point of this is that understanding a specific moment in running your agency that made you feel the most fulfilled can help you see your “why”.
Knowing your why can help keep your business aligned with what you want or help you realise what you need to change.
You take on clients that align with your values. You build a culture that people stay for.
This will directly impact your longevity as leader and contribute to the success of the agency.
Because longevity is good:
- It’s easier to grow over a long time.
- The chances of big opportunities appearing increase
If you stick around, good things are more likely to happen.
Longevity is leverage.
What’s your moment?
When you stop to think about the most fulfilled you’ve ever been in your role as founder, what comes to mind?
Whether that purpose is to achieve status or to be fulfilled by helping others.
Maybe it’s the personal growth that comes with firing a bad client.
It could be linked to some kind of financial milestone, and that’s fine but dig deeper.
Why was that money more important?
It’s fine if it’s something that feeds your ego.
Underneath the achievement is the reason you do this.
It’s possible you find nothing. Or the why is so far from the regular day to day of running the business that you realise everything has to change.
Well, that’s going to come out in the wash at some point. Better to make it clear now.
Pause for a moment. What’s one memory from your business you’d hold onto if everything else disappeared? Why does it matter?
Give it a whirl
Yes, this is basically my ‘Start With Why’ edition. And yes, I found that book both useful and cringey.
But even when you commit to being a bit vulnerable and looking for your purpose it can be hard to find it.
Don’t worry, sometimes you aren’t ready to see it. If it doesn’t come quickly then try a different purpose finding exercise, or just come back to it later.
Don’t think too hard about this stuff.
But if you aren’t thinking about it at all, then maybe you are resisting.
And if you aren’t running a business that can give you those moments, then you are missing out.