Steps on the Journey

What gets you out of bed in the morning? What motivates you? Why do you do what you do?

Do you actually know?

I know, I know, they are all variations on essentially the same question but it is a very important answer. Simon Sinek put it succinctly when he said that, “people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” He calls it finding your “why” and it is an individual revelation that, each person must answer for themselves (unfortunately, I am not going to be able to help you find your “why” in this essay but there are mentors who can help).

What’s mine? I’m glad you asked! My passion is helping people to find and become better versions of themselves…by their measure (no, I’m not trying to sell you something).

That’s right, their measure. I don’t get to decide what constitutes a better version of them. I may totally disagree with their chosen direction but it is ultimately not my choice. Of course, I can attempt to help them see that a goal of being a bank robber or something similar is maybe not the best choice but in the end, their path is theirs to decide. My part is only to provide the support and framework for them to make the best decision(s) for them and, yes, to possibly help them find their “why.”

While there are always mission and organizational goals, and we each have a role in reaching those, what is often lost is the people who actually make it happen. I believe a worthy goal each day is to help someone else take a step in their journey and, in turn, ensure the organization reaches its goals. I think that Sir Richard Branson said it best that, “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.” That shouldn’t be a radical idea.

If there’s anything my lifetime in the U.S. Navy and many years working with the Boy Scouts have taught me it’s that people are the true mission and mentoring, while often offering the greatest challenge, generally offers the greatest reward. If you properly train and mentor people then there is no need to micromanage. Allow them to grow and give them the freedom to do their work and your people will tend to be happier and more satisfied with their jobs. I’ve found that if I care for and empower those in my charge, they will do amazing things in ways I never even considered. General George S. Patton sagely said, “Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with the results.”

Of course, this can’t be generalized to every single person and not every position allows for individual ingenuity, but 95% of your employees will give you their best work if you let them.

Going back to the original questions, do you know your “why?” If not, there is someone out there who can help you find it and even if you don’t, you can still help someone else find theirs.

About the Author: Lee Crowson is a Story Teller and Asker of Questions who also happens to be a Navy Veteran and problem solver with over 22 years’ experience in organizational and operational leadership, communications and training. He has a strong passion for continual learning, endurance running, the outdoors and helping others to reach their full potential. He writes and speaks because it is more easily understood than his interpretive dance.