The soul of the thing

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The soul of the thing

You know and I know - founders always have a vision. But in the last 2 weeks I’ve walked 12 founders through my impact integration framework to examine their vision, strategy, & systems. Guess what’s been the hardest part?!

I ask them what their vision is and they say something like “hold on let me find the paper…”. I understand the urge to show off the fancy words you carefully crafted for your website. But strategy requires clear vision.

What leaders are missing is the soul of the thing - the part that feeds their energy or makes their heart break or makes their heart sing. I use 3 key parts to craft a simple vision that drives the work:

It’s intentionally oversimplified because it forces you to be specific about the most important components. One founder went from “business coaching for new entrepreneurs” to “equipping women to pursue their passions sustainably”. Not only is the latter clearer and more targeted than the first, the way a founder’s face lights up when they get to share the real soul of the thing is magical.

Remember from last week that you can’t plot a course to an unclear destination. No matter how many times you’ve thought about or said aloud your vision statement, a solid strategy requires that the vision gets to the truth and the soul of the business you’re actually chasing.

How to use this:

1. People: this could be clients, stakeholders, puppies (those aren’t people but you get the idea). Does it include a specific demographic? people in a certain stage? who believe or value a specific thing?

2. Action: The action you take when you’re interacting with those people what do you do for or with them? You may have more than 1 thing here but if you have more than 2 or 3 you’re overthinking it.

3. Outcome: What is different for the people in the first box after you completed the action in the second box? What changes in their world because you did it? This could be a feeling, a change they experience in their wellbeing, or something you do in their business.

Events & Free Stuff

• Strategy Office Hours - On August 28th all online community members (that’s you!) are invited to drop in and talk through as many strategy questions as we have time for. We’ll start by talking through vision 👆 to get us started and then open it up from there.

• Coming soon! Sales Boosting Book Club!

  Starting September 19th, I’m teaming up with Brandon from Small Axe Sales to offer an expert led book club on “Go Givers Sell More”. If sales gives you the ick, this is a a great chance to learn and apply a simple value-based framework at an accessible price point. Tickets go on sale next week! Reply to get first dibs!

• Impact Integration Work Sessions

  If the questions above were helpful and you want to dig in more - or if you have other strategy sticking points, book a free work session where we deep dive into your vision, strategy, and systems. I have 1 or 2 slots a week for these free, 1.5-2 hr sessions.

This cool thing I found

Resources & products I’ve loved or recommended lately:

• I carry this portable second screen with me when I’m co-working and I get lots of questions about it. It comes with a cable to connect to your laptop and it’s own cover/stand. No charger necessary. I love.

• Some friends put an underwater camera at the end of their pier in Key West and I love watching it to decompress. Check out Viva the Keys and watch for the giant grouper!

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