Are you battlefield ready?

I recently listened to a podcast with?Jocko Willnik?(ex US navy SEAL) said something that really struck me as a business leader. He said that on the battlefield you need a leader that is focused within, ensuring the troops are working as an effective and efficient team, and a leader that is looking outside the troop, into what is happening elsewhere on the battlefield. You need both inward and outward thinking.?

Too often as entrepreneurs we get hyper-focused on the inside of our business, the doing, making and creating, the managing of people, finances, production and sales, that we forget to lift our eyes upwards and out into the world outside of our business.?

There are always a dozen reasons for this – we may be short of resources, there may be deadlines, challenges, and customer problems that need to be solved. We might be focused on innovation and improvement, getting the wheels of the business oiled and quality perfected. We could just be battling to stay alive.?

But unless we make the time, create the space and employ the strategies to look up and outwards, we may find ourselves battling away in the wrong direction, or solving a problem that’s already been answered elsewhere. We could be missing a changing trend in the market or a new customer opportunity.? We could be chasing hard down a rabbit hole to nowhere.?

So this week, I have set a daily target to identify one thing that could make a difference to the way we do business. For 15 minutes (as part of my morning power hour) I will now actively look for what’s happening in our industry and across other industries, locally and in the rest of the world to find one small gem that can change the way we do business ever so slightly. In this way, I’m sure to keep us battlefield ready – not just to fight, but to win.?

Have a fabulous week ahead!

#FearlessLeaders #BusinessGrowth #BusinessTips

Read last week "Building a winner's attitude"...

Each week I receive heartwarming emails in response to my weekly greeting. Your words also serve to inspire others along their journey of transformation. If this helped you too, I'd love to hear - simply reply to this email. As always, let me know if you'd prefer to remain anonymous. Here is a snapshot:

"Positivity breeds positivity. Thanks for the reminder. Love the message , focus on what you can do better ?? Have a super week everybody and kudos to" - Kantha

"You're absolutely right - there's always a choice. Focusing on solutions and empowering others is the key to progress. Keep shining a light on these amazing entrepreneurs and their positive impact!" -Ayesha

"A shout out to all the South Africa entrepreneurs (small of big) that see opportunity in the midst of challenges ??.?A great post Catherine." - Linda

"Thanks Catherine for motivation for us to stay on focused in our business.?May bless You and continue strengthen your work. Stay blessed." - Thabiso

"Good afternoon.?Thank you so much Catherine." - Sbonile

"Very interesting! Your articles are all nation/Entrepreneurs builders. I like reading them and that book (VcSheep will never rule the world)?I love it a lot.?Thanks very much." - Frans?

Thank you for reading my #weeklygreeting . Each Monday I write a blog with inspiration and tips for business and life.?To join my network please 'Follow' me, or hop on and take a look at my past articles here .

About?Catherine Wijnberg

Catherine Wijnberg is a powerful advocate for change, for entrepreneurs, for Africa and the planet.

She is the Director and Founder of Fetola , a leading provider of world-class entrepreneurial support programmes for African entrepreneurs, building businesses that last through scalable solutions that deliver social, environmental and economic impact.