Let's talk about the language we use when we talk about business. Let's look at the words we use to address things like risk.
Comfort.
Change. Challenge.
Success.
How is our communication, and the words we use to communicate, dictated by preconceived notions of what is expected of us - particularly when we find ourselves conducting business?
For instance, how often is your communication determined by what you think is expected of you? From both others and yourself?
Take another moment and think about the following: we are often trai
ned tominimize disruption, not encourage it. At WOW 1 DAY PAINTING we've made it our mission to take on the painting industry and shake it to its core. Too often when discussing things like risk, change, and challengewe use words that are largely negative. On the flip side, when we talk about things like comfort andsuccess, we construct these things as positive and desirable.
And yes, success is a thing you want in your life. But success can also mean doing the same thing over and over again, never deviating from the course, or challenging the status quo.
Which leaves me to question: can success stop being success if your recipes and strategies do not support growth, adaptation, or change?
A number of years ago, my then-CEO challenged myself and a group of leaders to think about this construct. Part of his message was the idea that incremental gains are realized by the everyday processing and analyzing of facts. Quantum leaps are realized by paradigm shifts.
Think about that.
But first, think about the shift that needs to occur in the way we think and talk about business if we are ever going to get to that quantum leap.
As business leaders, the responsibility to get to this place rests with us, and in order to achieve this, we must make a change to the overall business discussion.
So my final question (I promise) to you is:
When was the last time you asked yourself, "Why not? Why can't we do that?"
As leaders and entrepreneurs, we are daily bombarded by Nay-sayers, Can't Doers and What-if'ers. Which again isn't a completely negative thing. These people keep our feet on the ground and our systems running.
However, if you are not the one asking "Why not?" in your business, then who will? It certainly won't be the individuals who believe that success is contingent on rote mechanics and comfort zones.
So in this vein, I encourage you to try the following:
1. Think of a dream for your organization that is such an aspiration that it seems almost crazy. A true BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). Something for which the path does not seem clear.
2. Ask yourself, "Why not?"
3. Think quietly on this for a few minutes.
Don't allow yourself to be a Nay-sayer. Move beyond the language and the reactions you have been conditioned to ascribe to this kind of goal.
Instead, use new words that will help clear a path to this result.
Disruptive innovation is daunting and scary, but the great thing is - it's okay to talk about this.
I truly believe that "Why Notters" build businesses.
Do you?