Working on our business, rather than in it, presents the next step for so many of us.
Right now you probably work as the Chief Doing-Everything Officer of too many things–marketing, sales, product development, product delivery, accounting, bill paying, form-filling, and PC-repair person and on-and-on.
You know it’s time for team. Your business is solid enough for you to begin the move to the head of the team, not being the entire team.
Yet, as you think about bringing team members on-board, you might begin to sense a loss of control, of power. You might feel like no one can do it as well as you, or how will you manage someone who doesn’t work right next to you in your office space, how can you trust them.
How power has distorted things…and us.
Power–control–originally meant “able to be.”
Over time we have twisted it to mean “to be able.” Now we seek power–control–to be in command of things, people, situations.
To move fully and confidently towards working on your business, it’s not external power you should covet; rather inner power that comes from being a part of something larger–connective power.
While the wish for more control is certainly understandable, particularly as your business grows, controlling power will not set you free.
Controlling power sets you up to be the King of the Hill, the Queen Bee. Yet, being the King or Queen will not bring you what you seek. You stand alone at the top. You begin to guard your position least someone grab it. You’re alone without trusted colleagues by your side, pulling in the direction you set. You have so much responsibility, too little time, and the tension in your gut builds.
What would happen when you invite others to join you on your hill of control?
You’ll begin to lead, to work on your business, from a place of connection. You’ll become a part of something very much larger. Your vision becomes the vision of others.
As you ready to begin the move to working on your business, build from your connective power rather than your controlling power.
Connective power will set you free!
Go forth and do great things,
Martha Hanlon and Chris Williams