Why are you in business? I’m not asking for your marketing message or sales pitch. What is the reason—beyond the common goal of making money—that drives the actions your business takes? Is this purpose more than just satisfying stakeholders and meeting profit margins by managing costs and selling a set number of units within a specific timeframe? Sure, these metrics are essential for running a business effectively (left-brain), but to achieve true engagement and a vibrant organizational culture, there must be an emotional connection to a purpose that goes beyond these figures (right-brain).
The time invested in creating metrics compared to the time spent sharing passion is seriously unbalanced. I’ve never heard anyone say they want to work for a company because, “They have such great metrics. I can’t wait to join them!” People – skilled, passionate individuals bursting with energy and fresh ideas – want to engage with and be part of a meaningful purpose. This purpose can be expressed through various activities, whether it’s selling computers, designing toilets, or developing the newest limb prosthetics.
The expression of our passion at The Leadership Advisor comes in the form of being a business advisory partner to our clients in the areas of leadership, culture and engagement. These are the areas in which we have chosen to express our passion. What’s our passion? Glad you asked…
We want to be recognized as a no-nonsense partner that is probably a bit unorthodox, but effective. 21st century business begs for business heretics (thanks Ted Coiné) that operate a bit left of center. We want to be known for positively impacting society because we showed businesses how to champion human potential in many contexts AND make a profit. Social good and profitable businesses don’t have to stand on opposite sides of the same fence. Hence, our call to action: It’s Time To Make A Difference. It’s our timeless admonition to demand a new standard and support those who feel moved to act.
We will forgive a multitude of shortcomings of someone who passionately embodies this sentiment in their work. I make sure the culture created in and by The Leadership Advisor is dripping and screaming this message in everything we do. People can connect with this and run like hell with it, and I want them to. Do we still use quality metrics that ensure business success? You bet your jelly doughnut we do. We just don’t let the metrics become a wet blanket for why we’re in business.
We want to leave a trail of renegades who “get it”. We want leaders who leave a wake of people who have been indelibly impacted in a way that won’t allow them to act, except that which reaps profits as well as contributing to the betterment of society. Is our goal and passion to change the world? You bet. Do we plan to make money while we’re doing it? Absolutely. Do we need to utilize both left and right brain approaches to make it happen? Every single day.
Passion is what takes us beyond job descriptions and gives us the ability conquer obstacles that would otherwise be impossible. Passion is what nurtures the application of discretionary effort and without passion, your culture is nothing more than a stuffed shirt.
Is your culture connected and driven by passion, or is it merely a bunch of words on posters hung in prominent places around the workplace?