Let’s talk about the important connection between your Compelling Why and organizational growth. 
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Founder's Framework
June 30, 2024

WELCOME TO FOUNDER’S FRAMEWORK

New look, same purpose: Founder’s Framework was designed to help ambitious founders like you build a company you’ll love forever. 

 

Enjoying the newsletter? I’d love to hear what you think.

WHY YOUR "WHY" MATTERS SO MUCH

My ongoing Grow or Die blog series has explored several aspects of successfully leading an organization through the five Stages of Development. I’ve touched on the importance of building a strong foundation, creating the right structure, finding your organizational fit, and mastering the art of letting go to achieve sustainable growth. Today, I’m focusing on a key principle that ties all these aspects together: discovering what I like to call your Compelling Why.

 

Founders understand the importance of a compelling purpose, passion, and/or just cause — aka your Compelling Why. It’s what companies are both held accountable to and propelled by. It’s what your Ideal Customers and team members are drawn to. And it’s crucial to any organization’s strategy for intentional, sustainable growth.

 

Read more in Grow or Die #5: Growing with Purpose.

 

There's no question the concept of having a Compelling Why resonates with people, yet it’s often underestimated or overlooked. Too many business leaders assume that it’s an abstract idea, something nice to have written down somewhere but not something that can really be leveraged to impact the bottom line or daily operations. They completely miss the critical link between a Compelling Why and organizational growth.

 

It’s people. 

 

Simply put, people want to do work that matters. They want to work for companies whose Core Values align with their own. And, last but not least, they want to work somewhere with a thriving culture. In my experience, companies developed around a Compelling Why offer these benefits. They attract great people who, in turn, do great work. Communication is clear, teams are aligned, and goals are exceeded. This is what drives the business forward. It’s a self-fulfilling growth prophecy. 

PERSPECTIVES

“To love what you do and feel like it matters — how could anything be more fun?”  — Katharine Graham 

 

“There are two ways to build a career or a business. We can go through life hunting and pecking, looking for opportunities or customers, hoping that something connects. Or we can go through life with intention, knowing what our piece looks like, knowing our WHY, and going straight to the places we fit.”  ― Simon Sinek

MARK MY WORDS

As I shared in a previous issue, entropy is always working against your organization. It takes a concerted effort to combat this force with thoughtful and strategic growth. 

 

Identifying and honoring your Compelling Why is needed to fuel this growth. To be clear, I don’t just mean revenue growth here (although of course that’s vital). I’m also talking about the size of your organization, the efficiency of your processes and operations, and the development of your people. A Compelling Why is going to inspire and offer guidance to your teams as you continue to scale, providing clarity and direction in an otherwise uncertain environment.  

 

And that’s exactly why your Compelling Why is so important — not just for you, or even your customers, but for your team. Because without a focused, aligned, and thriving workforce, your chances of turning a profit are all but nonexistent. Keeping your organization on the right path with your own unique Why sets the wheels in motion for continued success. After all, to grow with purpose, you must first start with a purpose. 

Founder's Framework Podcast

STAY TUNED

We’re excited to introduce the podcast component of Founder's Framework. Watch for my thoughts on the importance of small and midsize businesses in a healthy society and the unique challenges founders face. This episode highlights the critical role of frameworks in maintaining a company's Vision over time, ensuring long-term success and satisfaction.

Mark Abbott
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Ninety, 1920 Prospector Avenue, Park City, Utah 84060, United States

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