I get asked who my competition is a lot.
My answer, “I don’t know.” I don’t feel like I have competition.
No arrogance.
Just the firm belief of abundance.
There is enough for everyone.
We don’t need to compete.
We need to collaborate.
We need to focus on creating value.
Period.
Community is one of our core pillars.
Take Roots was born from the desire to help people, to create value and to build stronger communities. This belief drives our work each and every day. Working with organizations invested in making a difference fuels us to keep going – expanding our reach, telling more stories and believing that change is possible when we come together.
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” – Coretta Scott King
Collaboration is the magic sauce.
Workplace insecurity is a thing – even for people who wouldn’t normally consider themselves insecure. Insecurity is alive and well in the consultancy world too. The fear that someone else may get a ‘gig’ over you even if he/she is more qualified. This mentality fuels fear, the feeling of fierce competition and the need to protect oneself but I would challenge you to think about it this way – when we bring the right people together and create value, who wins? Everyone.
Be clear on how and where you can create value for a client.
Surround yourself with like-minded, high-performers who compliment your skills.
Be a connector.
If a client, potential or current, comes to you with an opportunity and you know that it isn’t in your wheelhouse but you know someone in your trusted circle who can do the job and do it well, say so. In that moment you’ve already created value. How? You’ve gained the client’s respect by acknowledging the success of the project is far more important than you securing another gig. You’ve strengthened your relationship with the individual you’ve recommended for the project by making a deposit in the ‘trust jar’. And, chances are, the client will remember that you put the needs of the project ahead of your own and come back to you with another opportunity. Win – Win.
Abundance.
While scarcity focuses on what we don’t have, abundant thinking is an attitude and mindset that focuses on what we do have. It allows us to see possibility rather than limits and can shift our perspective. It can help us lead more resilient and creative lives and help our teams function at their highest levels of productivity and collaboration.
In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, Stephen Covey explains that when you live in a world of scarcity, you compete for available resources, even when there is an abundance of them.
I choose to operate from a place of abundance. As a small business, I firmly believe it is my responsibility to give back to community. Our Community Give Back Program was created to build capacity and assist nonprofit organizations to advance their mission and deliver programming to deserving clients.
Final thoughts…
There is enough for everyone.
Collaboration creates value.
Operate from a place of gratitude.
Community over competition will continue to be my motto