Pete, we were just asked to take on 2 more projects from a client! Things are looking up!” As I listened, I remembered a previous conversation about this very client. So, I asked him the following questions…
- “Hasn’t this client been difficult to work with?”
Answer: “Absolutely – a serious…”
- Haven’t they been more than really slow in paying their bills with you?
Answer: “Brutal!”
- As you look at the work booked, and potential work in your sales pipeline, do you need the work?
Answer: “No, sales for the near future are in a solid place.”
This leader quickly realized that this particular client was not ideal for the business.
Far too often, business owners and leaders fail to connect the dots between their (and their team’s) activities and the purpose of the business. The result is a significant disconnect between the nice words of purpose and value, found on the walls of the business, and the actual activity choices.
If you are leading well with purpose, then clarity will cascade throughout every area of your business. Purpose clarity helps drive out waste and brings meaningful focus to the needed conversations with your leaders, your team, your customers and your suppliers. Purpose clarity helps clarify what’s ideal.
The apostle Paul reminds us clearly in Colossians 1:3-5 MSG
Be intentional in seeing your purpose touch every part of your business. Do this and watch as these 5 ideals profoundly impact your business over time.
Intentionally leading with purpose clarifies your profile for an…
- IDEAL OWNER. Nothing is more important than for you to show up every day with clarity and conviction to be God’s man or woman in the business in which He has entrusted you to lead.
- IDEAL LEADER. I am often asking owners questions regarding how they choose their leaders. Are you clear on what the ideal profile is for leaders in your business? These are the people to whom you are entrusting the well-being and the work of your team.
- IDEAL TEAM MEMBER. Hire for attitude, train for skill! Clarity here will help prevent hiring decisions that you and your team will later regret.
- IDEAL CLIENT. If you are committed to leading your business and team “on purpose”, as cash flow allows, you will become more specific about the type of customers you choose to work with. This brings ease for all, greater profit and stronger relationships.
- IDEAL SUPPLIER. If you have done the work to ensure your suppliers are aligned with what’s ideal for your business, your team and your customers, you will bring ease to your whole business. When is the last time you interviewed a supplier to see if they were an “ideal fit”, helping you and your team be remarkable for your ideal customers?
Pursuing the “5 ideals” has had a profound impact on our business. To have this impact, you need purpose clarity.
How clear is your purpose? Without it, the 5 “ideals” will be no deal!
A Deliberate Application:
- How clear is your purpose?
- Do you agree with the “5 Ideals”? Why or why not?
- When is the last time you had a discussion regarding the purpose and values of your business and how they align with the “5 Ideals”?
- How do you see Paul’s words in Col 1:3-5 informing you? Where may there be “slack in your lines of purpose”?
- Who will you share this with?
