If you’ve been in business for any length of time you get it. You know all too well the hard work and determination it takes to move your business from start up to second stage. You get yourself up at 5 a.m. and, more times than not, work through lunch. Once you arrive home, you have a quick dinner and later check your emails.

You’re all too familiar with the sweat equity it takes to be an industry leader. You understand what it’s like to work hard, be diligent and show that entrepreneurial perseverance.

In one of my Profitability Labs, we discussed just how much entrepreneurs persevere. You work hard and keep taking on more.
Before you know it, you’re living in the context of “I don’t have time”, “I’m so busy”, “I don’t have the resources”. Accomplishing your goal feels like you’re paddling upstream in mud.

What’s often missing from business leaders is inspiration. More specifically, enrolling others so that they see a whole new world of what’s possible for them by being a part of that vision.

To enroll others in your vision, you must be clear about the contribution that your business makes in the world. When you are present to your contribution and operate inside that contribution that you make in the world through your products and services, you’ll transform your thinking, your actions and your business.

Others will be inspired by your vision. They see that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

For example, one of my clients has a business that manufactures light poles. Imagine taking action inside of “we make light poles.” Pretty boring, right?

Accurate? Yes.

However, it doesn’t separate them from any other business that manufactures light poles. It also doesn’t provide an empowering, creative context under which the team operates.

So, I took my client through part of my systems process to identify the bigger contribution of why the business exists. Through the process, he discovered the deeper contribution to the world.

He recognized that they just don’t make light poles. They keep communities safe.

They keep communities safe! Now, THAT’S a contribution. That is what inspires him and enrolls others.

My client began to take action under the brand new contribution. In his leadership role, he now also has a new empowering context.

Now, taking action in the contribution of we keep communities safe, opens up a new world of opportunity. You can also see how this approach can change the team’s decision making around quality assurance, quality improvement, and even customer service.

When you get crystal clear on your contribution your business makes in the world, you’ll be more apt to align your action, create brand new opportunities, and identify new ways to serve your community at a higher level.

When you enroll your team in the contribution, you’ll notice something. You’ll notice inspired action. You will also have a grounding framework for decision making.

Getting really clear on your contribution opens up a whole new world of possibility. It also shifts you from perspiration to inspiration for you, your team, and your business.