A great testimonial & a crisis of meaning
I don't know about you, but I'm in this business to change lives. I think that's why we're all in the businesses that we are. Why else would you do it?
For me, it's not just a job, it's a calling, and I want to work with people who feel the same way. Because if you pursue a calling, and not just a job or career. EVERY act is intentional, and there's nothing so profound as intention.
Earlier this week I had a great call with one of my clients. The energy we had created by the end was terrific - optimistic, energized, thoughtful, clear, satisfied, alert. We had discerned much to contemplate, and specific strategy steps to navigate some major decisions. I asked, "How do you feel?" I ask that to people sometimes - feelings tell you quite a bit about what's going on and bring up much to explore and dissect. Understanding our feelings is often the key to unlocking crucial pieces of our leadership puzzle.
After I asked that question, I received a beautiful response! The testimonial below is a paraphrase.
Man, do I LOVE getting feedback like that. Shows me that I'm doing exactly the right thing for the right people. That client is going places, no doubt. There are challenging decisions ahead, and vulnerable leaps, but they will land in a better place, free to make the positive impact they are here to make in every sphere of influence they touch.
Some people say the human species is in the midst of a crisis of meaning, a time of collective reevaluation and reorientation in response to major changes to our very underlying social, economic, geographic, cognitive, and technological dynamics. Such crises have happened before and will happen again. I think this is correct. I feel like people are contemplating entrepreneurial success differently than even two decades ago, which is when I started my own journey. We are collectively thinking much harder and deeper about the meaning of the success we seek, and not just the sweetness of the success itself.
I remember at the beginning of my journey, one of my mentors gave me a warning. With freedom comes despair. We don't realize how meaningful the chase is. And when we catch it, the human condition is still there, with its distinctive void, demanding new ways to find satisfaction.
That's an awareness I bring to every conversation about success, and it's what sets me apart. So, if that's a conversation you feel called to, let's start it. If there's one thing I know for sure, it is that the world needs as many people as possible having that conversation.
Talk to you soon.