Your One Word

In a world of mind-numbing complexity, fake news, information saturation, and the brain fog brought about by a media-dominated culture, where do we turn for clarity and solace?

Here’s a start: look for your one word. The one-word concept is the essence, the core, the soul, the raison d'être, the purpose for something’s existence.

Dissecting Shakespeare's work could be life’s pursuit, but Macbeth is about one thing: ambition. Othello’s one word would be jealousy. Amazon’s one word, as I would describe it, is convenience. Washington, D.C., power! Associations = mission.

In the book, One Word That Will Change Your Life, the authors tell us that choosing one word for 2020 has much more power than any set of New Year's resolutions. Abundance, thrive, focus, love, master...what is the one word that will have the biggest impact on every aspect of your life?

Shifting gears, what is the one word for your organization. Just ONE.

Anyone can describe their organization in a few sentences, but what is at the core that defines who you are and why you matter to those who you serve?

For the company I am a part of, 360 Live Media, I could say events, marketing, associations, or creativity. But using the Six Sigma technique of asking the 5 why’s, I’d tell you our one word is impact.

We exist, succeed, and are driven by the outcomes we deliver. It’s what motivates our team and builds their career mastery. It is why we are hired, and it is at the core of our purpose.

What is the one word for your organization? If you don’t have one, be prepared to be shaped by the perception of others. Nature abhors a vacuum, so let your one word fill the hearts and minds of everyone you serve.

Interestingly, when I asked 360’s longest standing client (10 years), Richard Hunt, CEO of Consumer Bankers Association what our one word is he said, innovation. Just goes to show that we need to ask those that we serve what they think to really understand what is valued.

My word for you is NOW!