A solid foundation is most important because it creates the structure for all growth. It needs to be solid and broad enough to handle any situation and ensure if things get tough it can provide stability and comfort for your relationships. People will know you have the ability to last no matter the circumstances as you have built a foundation that will endure and handle the challenges.
A strong foundation alone isn’t enough as it needs pillars to provide ongoing support. These pillars are your values, your vision, your people, your culture which are what hold up the weight of growth. Without them, the heavier your success becomes, the more cracks will form, until the foundation crumbles and everything you’ve built comes crashing down. Then you’re forced to start all over again.
I recently met someone who was heading in exactly that direction. Totally sales driven and growing. I asked him about his values. Don’t have time for that as I have too much business already. I then inquired about the type of people he was looking for to build his team. His answer was successful sales people.
Every question was met with a revenue-generating response. The company didn’t stand for anything. All he was interested in was the numbers. He was building a sales enterprise that didn’t stand for anything. Guess what happens when the sales don’t match expectations? Or even what type of person he attracts? Yup, only those interested in money. Any guess what happens when another company comes along and offers more $$$’s?
Now I compare that to a business that was methodical in their approach. They defined who they were based on who they wanted to become. Their values were most important. They looked for people who believed in the same philosophy as they did. They always asked questions about collaboration. Who the person helped along their career journey? Who benefited from their interaction? Their talent and success were secondary to their internal strength and belief in helping others. They believed that when the going got tough, they had built the right team to persevere.
Guess which one is prepared for future success, no matter what?
If you need help building a solid foundation for your future growth, let’s talk. I love helping people and businesses set themselves up for future success by putting the pieces in place to endure tests and still keep going….forward.
