Happy Independence Day to all of my friends and colleagues! I hope yours was treasured with friends and loved ones.
As I spent time thinking about this fabulous national holiday, I asked myself if any of us are really free. I guess the answer to this depends on who you are and how you define it.
As citizens living in a democracy, I think we can agree that we are, in fact, free. We have the freedom to choose our leaders, where we live, how we live, and how we think. But from a business perspective, some may argue that forces beyond our control – like the economy, interest rates, governmental mandates and laws – dictate our success or failure in the commerce arena.
In this post, I would like to challenge that way of thinking. I believe that true leaders have the ability to control the degree of freedom we enjoy in the work that we do. The plans you develop, the projects you initiate, the people you choose to surround you, and the belief system you have in place regarding what you think you can achieve in this lifetime are all within your control. The most successful business leaders I know are prepared, flexible and persevering. They are armed with a wide set of skills, data, and a support network that will get and keep them on their desired path. They monitor and adjust their plans when roadblocks appear on the path and they do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to create the success they know they are destined to experience.
So as you celebrate this Independence Day holiday, know that freedom has its price and carries with it responsibility. As a business leader, the level of preparedness, flexibility, and willingness to go the distance is what separates the mediocre from the legendary.
To all of my friends and legendary business leaders out there, happy Fourth of July!