The Complex System: Story of an Entrepreneur

Show Me You’re Strengths

I’m really tapping into the whole strengths revolution that Marcus Buckingham introduced me to. I just picked up his new book, but I also finished StrengthsFinder 2.0 which picks up where Marcus left off with Now, Discover Your Strengths. This book really digs into the 34 strength themes and added improvements to the online test. I recommend it.

I’m a believer in timing. I think that the timing for this work is right as I’m focusing nearly 80% of my time on team building. I’m approaching Leads360 2.0 pragmatically starting with an inventory of my assets, my team. We’ve got some great people here and before I start adding more bodies I want to make sure everyone is clear on these things:

1. What are the roles and responsibilities of existing staff and management?
2. What strengths are we working with among our current team?
3. Are the current employees focused on strength building or weakness fixing?
4. What are the roles we need to fill with new people?
5. How do new hires balance existing employees and promote mutual strength building?

Answering these questions is time consuming but I’m convinced it’s worth it.

Chapter 2

Of course I’ve always been driven by my own engine power; I’m an entrepreneur. But I’m also driven by the fuel of others, in particular, the people I work for. I think that’s somewhat unique; in my experience, the ego often plays a big part in the drive of a successful entrepreneur, but I’ve always prided myself on being a bit different.

For me, the idea of learning just a bit more today than I knew yesterday keeps me going. I’ve mentioned before how my dad taught me early on that I should hire people smarter than me. I think I do that not only because it makes me successful, but because it makes me smarter. I learn from watching others. I’ve learned just about everything I know in business from watching other people. After all, I didn’t really learn much in school; well about business anyway.

So, I titled this post Chapter 2 because I’m moving into a new phase; propelled by the fuel of others, I’m eager to learn more; and have a hell-of-a lot of fun doing it.

On Friday the 5^th of October, we completed a venture capital round of $3.25 million. And of course while there is no guarantee that this means we’ll be any more successful, I’m extremely proud of this accomplishment. Not just because it was a lot of work (I’ll soon post on the reality of raising venture money), but because I believe it is right for me.

I’ve done a lot on my own. I’ve accomplished just about everything I’ve set my mind to. I’m confident I can keep doing that. But now I’ve got some rocket fuel in me. Now I’ve got a lot more smart people surrounding me. Now I’ve got even more people counting on me, and pushing me to deliver. And because I have that unique quality of being driven to please; and because I sincerely get pleasure out of it, I know the future is bright.

It’s going to be a ride. It will probably be more like the classic wooden rollercoaster that rattles and cricks as you whiz by than anything else. But it’s going to be a blast and I’m ready for it.

Stay tuned.