“It’s only after you’ve stepped out of your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, transform.”
– Roy T. Bennett
A lot of struggling business owners and managers insist that this year, this decade will be different—and yet, they aren’t making the systemic changes that will make it happen. If your business is struggling, you may need some real change to emerge.
This new year, let’s get some perspective together and look at how real change could look for your business.
Achieve Distance
It starts when you zoom out. Are you in a position to honestly evaluate your company’s position, or are you too immersed in the day-to-day to see clearly?
A little voice will start to chirp, “Wait for the economy to turn around!” That’s a dangerous voice to listen to.
A proper recovery could take years. If you’re going to make more money, it’s up to you to do it. And if that’s what you’re trying to accomplish, get some distance from your organization’s internal machinery. It could be an afternoon walk or a weekend retreat, just make the time step back to reflect on the hard, honest questions that will get you through this.
Here are three scenarios, with three sets of questions:
3 Types of Change
You can’t make the change you need unless you feel the urgency in your bones. Fortunately, if you were honest with yourself about your situation, you’re halfway toward the mindset you need.
Inspired leaders inspire their teams, and whether you have a team of 2 or 200, you need them to make this happen. Don’t let yourself think that they can’t sense what’s happening: they know and they’re waiting for leadership.
You can make 3 kinds of change:
An economic downturn is a tough storm to weather, and inaction isn’t an option if you want to come out the other side unscathed. Consider this a rite of passage in business, and lean into the challenge. Stay realistic, get a plan in place, and hang in there.
