Look Inward to Move Forward

With all business endeavors, it’s important to have a guide so you know where you want to go. Many times, it’s not clear exactly which path you should take, but if you have a solid set of principles to rely on when making decisions, it will help ensure you’re taking the proper steps to keep your business strong.

I recently spent a few days back in my hometown helping my parents with a project. It was the first time I spent an extended period there in many years, so I was able to do a few things I’m not usually able to do when I visit for the holidays. I met up with a friend I hadn’t seen in years. We went through Boy Scouts together and it was great to reconnect. Speaking of Scouts, I also visited my old Scout Troop, talked with several new leaders, young Scouts, and committee members. I was constantly reminded about the lasting impact Scouting had on my upbringing. I also couldn’t help but notice how different life in the DC area really is from most other places I visit. Life appears much simpler, less hectic, and more personally connected.

What does this have to do with running a creative communications business? My experiences in Scouting heavily influence the decisions I make for the business. For example, one of the primary things I ask myself is, “How will this decision affect the experience my clients have?”

Part of Scouting’s value system is to consider others before yourself. Since I work with so many wonderful clients, it’s important to understand how my decisions impact them. Those connections that I saw firsthand in my hometown reminded me that business is all about personal relationships. The more familiar I am with where my clients are coming from and how they view the world, the easier it is to provide great solutions to their challenges.

Step back from your day-to-day work every so often and reflect on where you are and where you want to go. It can be difficult to look inward and examine your principles, but when you understand how and why you and your clients make decisions, positioning yourself for success will become a lot easier.