Why We Fight!

This past month I have been watching the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers. The series follows the 101^st Airborne Division through World War II and specifically focuses on the group of men that make up Easy Company. The second to last episode is titled “Why We Fight”. In this episode the men of Easy Company are suffering battle fatigue; they have been away from their families for almost three years and they have consistently been on the front lines in the war against the German army. The soldiers’ hearts are beginning to harden as they become numb to the world and war going on around them. They are asking themselves; “Why are we here? Is this worth it? Have we really accomplished anything?” I could not help but see a connection between their feelings and the feelings of many professionals trying to earn a living in today’s challenging market.

These same questions are being asked by those who are feeling the fatigue of an ever changing market filled with external forces they cannot control. While our physical circumstances are very different from that of Easy Company; the emotion and frustration level is similar. In the last month I have handed out two boxes worth of tissues while listening to agents pour their hearts out concerning their financial troubles, frustration over failed transactions, and an admission of pure exhaustion from sleepless nights filled with worry.

I have also spent time talking with other leaders and coaches on how to best counsel my team during these difficult times. Gleaned from these conversations are the following four tips that I believe will help us all to continue to fight the good fight and be effective leaders in our industry.

Reconnect with your vision for your business. Your vision statement outlines the convictions you stand for, the meaning (purpose) behind the service or product you offer, where you want to see your business go in the next few years, and the major goals you hope to achieve along the way. You answered the “why” questions before, when you wrote your vision statement. Now is the time to review it again and if your reality has changed; make adjustments and recommit to your purpose. If you have not completed a vision statement for your business, I highly recommend going through that exercise knowing that I am happy to help you achieve that goal.

Keep pushing forward every day. We many not “win” every day, but we can learn from every experience. We can make the adjustments to our overall strategy that will help us win the next week, month, and year. The key is to stay on the offensive and keep moving forward with positive action. The smallest effort can motivate you and inspire you to keep fighting. If you feel burnt out try a 5x5x5 strategy: five calls per day, five emails, and five personal notes to different people.

Take time for personal development. Author, John C. Maxwell says, “I read daily to grow in my personal life.  I listen to others daily to broaden my perspective.  I spend time thinking daily to apply what I am learning.  And I try to write daily so that I can remember what I’ve learned.” What about you? Are you reading books, listening to podcasts, and researching blogs that are relevant to your reality? Make the effort to keep a journal of your experiences, conversations with people, answered prayers, challenges, and victories. Then read through them regularly to find inspiration.

Connect with people. Success requires you to do more than just communicate with people; you must connect with them. As a leader in your industry, you need to be engaging your past clients, your sphere of influence, and prospects in ways that acknowledge the reality of your situation as well as theirs. Share your vision with them and remind them of how important they are to your overall success. Listen to their needs and concerns. Relate with them, empathize with them, and offer solutions that make sense. This type of connection will bring you closer to people and hopefully get you back to the heart of your purpose and give meaning for doing what you love to do.

The men of Easy Company were reminded of why they were fighting when they came face to face with the horror of the Holocaust. Easy Company stumbled across a Nazi concentration camp and experienced the horror of the condition of the camp and its prisoners; the experience reminded them of why they were fighting. They were fighting not only to liberate a continent but to save humanity from the oppression, murder, and extinction of the Holocaust.   

I hope these four tips provide you with a roadmap for remembering why you fight through each day to serve your friends, family, and clients.

Question: What is your big “Why” and how are you staying focused on it during these challenging times?

Make it a great day!

Coach Dan

No related posts.