"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men
to gather wood, divide the work and give orders.
Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."
-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I look through thousands of quotes and there are always those few that just jump off the page at me. This one by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is a perfect example of one that got my attention tonight. When I find quotes like this, they always make me think of something in my life or thoughts that this speaks to.
What this one says to me is that as a business, we need to sell the sizzle, the dream, the grand objectives, the plan. It's not about the nuts and bolts and day to day that fires people up, it's being a part of something much larger and more exciting. It's not the paycheck, it's the belonging, the participation, the expenditure of creativity and expansion of skills. It's about the relationships that grow and become more. It's about the leaders of the company caring and sharing and taking the rest along. It's the promise of a grand future, a better future, a worthwhile endeavor.
It also says to me to teach people to understand instead of replicate. To think for themselves rather than look to others for direction. To be leaders of themselves and lead right where they are. In other words, to see the vision for themselves and move toward it individually and collectively.
It is the vision, the excitement surrounding it and the effective sharing of it that is a key ingredient in a growth-oriented company. Don't we all want to be a part of the dream?
Get Excited--Even If You're The Only One. The Rest Will Follow Soon Enough.
Spread Some Joy Today--What fun it is to be part of something grand, bigger than ourselves and worthwhile. A bit of joy in that.
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