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Think Like an Owner Even If You’re Not One |
In his wonderful book Visionary Business, Marc Allen, bestselling author and the publisher and owner of New World Library, wrote that one of the benefits of profit sharing was that he didn’t have to worry about cutting costs throughout the company because his employees did it for him.
Since they had a vested interest in the success and profitability of the company, the employees themselves looked for ways to save money and improve the business. This idea, along with the way people are treated there, has made New World Library one of the greatest successes in the publishing industry and Marc one of the most respected people in the business.
While you may or may not receive formal profit sharing, you are being paid by your employer and being given the privilege of working there. I use the word privilege because that’s what work is — a privilege. Your job, whatever it is, provides for you and your family. It supports your lifestyle, enables you to demonstrate your talents, and provides you (I hope) with an outlet for your creativity.
Imagine how you would feel and what your life would be like if you were not able to work. What would you do all day? What would your life be about? This may sound like the ideal life to some people but in reality it rarely is. When I was doing research for my book Don’t Let an Old Person Move into Your Body, I observed that the older people I saw who were living active, vibrant lives were all engaged in some type of business, professional, or charitable endeavor.
And, at the other end of the age spectrum, I discovered that many young dot-com billionaires and millionaires found that after a period of doing nothing but playing they became bored and frustrated and, in most cases, returned to the business arena.
If you agree with the idea that your work is an extension of your best, creative self, then it stands to reason that you would want to be doing it. Of course, this ideal does not happen overnight, but if you follow some of the suggestions here, you can move toward it.
As someone who has been fortunate to be living his passion and purpose, I can tell you that it feels fantastic. Do I plan to ever retire? What do you think? One of my goals is to be the first hundred-year-old motivational speaker.
If you want to feel better about yourself and contribute more to your success, approach your work as if you were the owner of the company, whether or not you actually are. Pay attention to the details of your area of responsibility. When you see a way to improve a portion of your job, speak out. If you find a way to cut costs without sacrificing quality, bring it to the attention of your superiors.
Regardless of your position, you are a part of a team of people working toward a common goal, namely, to grow the company. Anything you can do to improve your specific area affects the entire business. While you may not be the owner of your company, you are the owner of your job. Take ownership of your position and be proud of what you do, regardless of your particular job at the moment.
Throughout my career I have observed two types of worker. One is what I call the “pigeons” and the other is the “eagles.”
Eagles are engaged in their work. They embrace it and perform their job to the best of their ability, with joy and enthusiasm, feeling fully connected to the task at hand and the company. Eagles tend to be happy in whatever job they’re performing.
Pigeons, on the other hand, just get by. They’re not particularly engaged in what they do and usually can’t wait to leave at the end of the day. The problem is, they’re not typically very happy, nor do they usually go very far in their chosen field. They are the unhappy, disengaged people you typically see in almost every large organization.
Are you an eagle or a pigeon? Which one would you prefer to be?