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Having a Life or Business with Purpose...or Both!
Hello Friends and Clients,
This
is the story of two companies. Both are true.
Let me start with Company One...
Company One was never
satisfied. In good times they were unhappy. In bad times worse. They
were always fighting and bickering. The owner was a bully. His manager
was always shouting and belittling employees. I witnessed good
employees endure the brow beatings and yet stay with the company. Most
were unhappy but seemed resigned to living defeated lives. The company
had a bonus system and they were always pushing the idea of working
harder to hit "bonus," yet, money was not motivating better work
habits or results. The owner and manager were mystified as to why the
bonus was not giving them a happier workforce. They wondered why they
had tremendous ups and downs. The company would take two steps forward
and three steps back. I am sure that this cycle continues for them
today. The company was focused totally on the "results of their
labors." They were concerned with rewards, money, prestige and
accomplishments. They were focused on the destination and not the
journey. You could feel the tension in the atmosphere most days at
Company One.
Although this company was successful in conventional ways, they had
no idea about how to go beyond these traditional ways of measuring
success. They could not, in their minds, connect the idea of feeling
happy and satisfied with work. The owner, top managers and all the key
employees were very unhappy. Talking about one another behind each
others backs, complaining how things were at the company and resigned
to "this is how it is here," were the norm.
Company Two had a much
different feel from the first day I started working with them. The
atmosphere at this company was remarkable! Happy and fun! Even when
the rewards or results were below expectations, they were supportive
of each other. From the owner on down, the respect they had for one
another was evident. The company was supportive of the employee's
personal goals. They knew each others hobbies and outside interests.
They spoke of purpose and encouraged employees to find their purpose
in life and at the company. Many had created their own job within the
company as it grew, based on their purpose!
The company had training around communication. Respectful ways of
complaining about performance that was lackluster, was taught! This
company was focused on the journey and not the destination. Company
two had a more stable performance. They did not experience extreme ups
and downs. The employees loved working at the company.
What was the difference between these two
companies? The difference was one was focused on getting and the other
on giving! Can you guess which was which?
Company One
was totally focused on "getting." It should not come as a
shock that the owner and top manager were totally focused on "getting"
in their lives as well. "Giving" was a foreign thing, even frowned on
or looked down at. Most everyone in the company was focused on what
they were "getting." Even if it meant doing mean, manipulative or
hurtful things to get what they wanted. Sabotaging another employee or
co-worker, or making another look bad so that one could "get" what
they wanted was part of the norm for Company One! It's no wonder they
had such wide swings in results with employees wasting so much energy
on individual, negative pursuits.
In Company Two, giving was the
focus. As a result, harmony prevailed. Little energy was wasted. The
"team" was giving customers and each other what they wanted. They
spoke of it often at meetings. Different departments were always
asking each other "how can we give you better ------ (results,
communication, support, etc.)." Saying "yes" to requests was
encouraged. Part of giving is saying yes and not no. Company Two is
focused on making the journey satisfying and fun. In fact, this is
part of the company mission. They are focused and speak about such
things as, "giving each other space, giving to worthwhile causes, giving help and support to one another, giving respect to each
other and all people, giving time to family, giving customers what
they want and giving employees time to just be." It's probably no
coincidence that Company Two is having a record year for sales and
profits.
Dr. Wayne Dyer says in his book, "Real Magic"...."Discover the joy
and peace of giving, not getting; of contributing, not acquiring; of
doing, not competing or winning. Why?" asks Dyer, "because you really
can't get anything. The message of your life is in what you give." He
goes on to say "You show up with nothing and you leave with nothing.
All you truly can do with this life in form is to give it away.
Purpose is always about giving."
Company One lacks a fulfilling
purpose. That is why they are never satisfied. The same goes with our
lives. If we lack a fulfilling purpose, we too will never be
satisfied!
Company Two starts its purpose
by focusing on giving! They are a happy, satisfied and fulfilled group
of people. People who you love to be around. It's no wonder that their
customers want to be around them too!
So, to have a life or company with a purpose, make your first
purpose to give, to serve. I believe all of us feel great when we drop
the focus on what we are getting and switch to giving. Detach from the
outcomes that you have pictured. When you go beyond outcomes, you find
yourself unconcerned about what is in it for you. You can switch to a
focus on the fulfillment of your company's purpose or your own. When
you can switch your focus, you can go beyond success, achievement and
performance as indications of your life's mission. You can live every
moment fulfilled and satisfied.
Still skeptical? Ask yourself, Which company would you want to be a
part of?
Gratefully yours,
Steve
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