Tag: business model

Leadership Starts with the Heart

Mf59
We've all encountered organizations who have systems that seem to work smoothly. For example, in banking, Chase will probably get 99% of their transactions right today. Accenture has a process that will react when a company puts out an RFP. But as great as their processes may be, if the leaders inside lack heart, there is something fundamentally wrong.

Leadership starts with the heart. Indeed, indeed.

Great organizations (small or large) begin from the heart. Their business models are full of art. That kind of art that solved a problem, made a customer smile or inspired a child to dream. No guarantees of success I know, and certainly you've got to have a business model that can make/raise money. But if you listen to music don't you want the melody along with the rhythm? If the organization only has one side of the equation and not both, then you're looking at a hollow endeavor.

The great warning goes out to organizations that abandon the heart, thinking the head can do it all. 

Looking Past the Transaction

Rare is the organization that can look past the transaction.  Often, they're so fixiated on sales and sales forecasts.  The better idea here is found in the faith-based (not speaking about religion) approach to selling and relationship-building.  The belief in your product or service in such a way as to having faith that it will solve a problem or create a desired breakthrough.

This is tough work and it requires a steadfast reliance on the mission.  A career, a transaction-based business model or protecting market share will never do.

So the next time you look at that client or prospective client, do you see a transaction that benefits your business model?  I hope not.  You should see someone who has a problem you can solve and a relationship to be built.  There's no substitute for the latter.