Go Big or Go Home
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The phrase “go big or go home” is probably considered a cliché in our culture. You’ve probably heard it for years, recently, and with increasing frequency. The idea seems to be everywhere in our culture.
I think the GO BIG mindset has also invaded the thinking of most leaders, or even been there all along. This is not necessarily bad nor unexpected – “big(ger)” is usually a significant part of what leaders are paid to do . . .
- Make the customer base bigger.
- Make the sales line on the P&L bigger.
- Make the profits of the organizations bigger.
- If you’re in a non-profit setting, you want to make the donor base bigger.
- Leaders also want to make a bigger impact!
I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really takes for something to “go big.” I’ve concluded there are a few pre-requisites for healthy, sustained, “bigger.” Here’s the first:
The success of all big ideas hinges on perceived value.
And, here’s the tricky part . . . you, as the leader, do not get to decide. The people that the idea is intending to serve are the judge and jury. Yes, the customer, or potential customer, has the ultimate authority to decide if your big idea lives or dies.
And, to compound the challenge, many big ideas (products, services, and activities) have multiple customers. Be sure you know who your customers are – not just the end users. Each customer group can have unique, and sometimes conflicting, expectations.
If you want any of your idea to “go big,” be sure your customers believe it adds tremendous value.
How does the idea, product, service, or activity you are advocating add value?
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The concept that there are many thing that the leader does NOT get to decide struck me. Very true! Leaders have to get buy-in from many others to be successful.
Sometimes even buy-in isn’t enough, especially if it’s passive. Leaders often need enough influence and trust from their followers to turn those followers into the pioneers for the decision or idea.
The leader not choosing is key to the user experience model. In my field we have to make sure that the user is the driver of change and that their voices are heard and responded to.
Thanks for putting this in such great language.
Trust me when I say that I want to go “bigger”, but I feel the best way to go “bigger” is to go “better”.
Love your one-pagers with great leadership tips. We are currently working on a culture transformation of our organization and we have started with leadership. Strong leadership is key and we are not just focusing on developing leaders at the top but rather throughout our organization. We want all of our leaders to have the skills to “go big”.
In the field of educational leadership, “go big” can and almost always will refer to increasing student achievement scores. While this is the promoted goal of most all instructional leaders, somtimes it is a difficult sale to our customers – our students, parents, community – due to the perceived lack of extrinsic value associated with a test score. How do we proceed when the “go big” goals that internal systems place upon us are not always aligned with our customer base’s values? How do we align a test score with success? How do we ensure the students we produce meet the needs of our comminities? That is the real value of “going big!”
I would love to get one of those books!
Timely thoughts as I look to create new leadership material. Perceived value to the client is key.
Great post
It seems that at each step of the “big idea process” there are “live or die” decisions. First you decide if your idea even sees the light of day. Then you have to sell the internal team. Next you move on to selling the company on implementing it. Then the final “sale” is the customer – whomever the customer is. And I am sure I’m missing several other “sales” points. That is why leaders have such a love/hate relationship with big ideas. It is so exciting when they “make it” and so frustrating when they don’t.
My struggle is always identifying the customer at each decision point and patience! Great post – got me thinking this morning.
The fact that the success of an idea is on its perceived value struck me. Perceived value is not always objective, therefore the success may depend on other factors which will need to be overcomes.
Believe it or not, I just heard this phrase about 2 weeks ago and I’m 50+. This kid said it who was investing in this house in an upscale area. All of us who heard him were astounded that someone so young would go SO BIG. But if market conditions are right, going BIG is the right thing to do. LOVE IT!
I’m in education and feel we are at a point in education where we need to think more along the lines of “think big or go home.” That applies to building relationships with students, parents and our community (building that bigger base of support/resources). That applies to our instructional practices (what worked in 1980 doesn’t work today). That applies to the curriculum (memorization of old versus creating innovators, problems solvers and creative young minds). Our teachers are engaged in Student Impact Projects this year as part of professional development (think Genius Hour or 20% Rule) and we’ve seen some great “think big or go home” ideas, plans and processes come from it!
Yes, please.
Love your books. What to go big?
“Without customers, students, clients, followers, etc”, we all go home! Developing the balance between “going big” or “going overboard” is truly a fine line. Take the educational side of what happens when we overload the mind? Surely there are times we just want to quit, too much information in a short time leads to congestion of information that can be overwhelming for the students, Teachers, workers, leaders, at some point, granted some individuals can adapt and cipher out what is critical, others may not.
The key is determining how much we can absorb, and rationalize to contribute in a positive sense without overloading! There are arguments which to treat better workers or clients, “don’t bite the hand that feeds you”.
Interesting stuff. Thanks!
My recent introduction to this sight through Twitter has been awesome!! If the sight is this good, I would love to get a copy of the book for even more insights.
Good Post
In a hospice, the “go big” for me is customer service. How can we think of creative ways to serve people at end of life? How can we help people at a time that can have a “do over”…we have one shot at helping them have quality of life at the end of their lives. This takes creativity, compassion, and thinking outside of the box.
Grateful for your nuggets, gems, tips, and musings! Looking forward to Mark’s book!
Thanks Dan. To me, this is Marketing and Sales 101. But we get so busy managing to meet or exceed plan that we sometimes forget to bring the customer along to gauge success. It’s an afterthought..
I love this blog, leadership can happen at any level of an organization and thinking about responsibility to each level ‘go big or go home’ can apply to each one of us (project management, sales territory responsibility, marketing ideas, finance, etc.) as we all have customers or a base we influence. I do not have a book and would love a copy.
Have followed the blog for sometime and use the info in my business a lot. I’m part of an organization that empowers the leadership team to use their own ideas, share them with the team and many serve in a leadership role above and beyond their management position. Many serve in our industry’s volunteer positions on our company’s dime. “Leaders of Leaders” need to give value to their customer or audience base by providing a value proposition that works….a win win. I would love a copy of the book as I use these practices in my everyday role.
An excellent way to think about as you said the cliche of “Go big or go home”. I have used that mantra many times in my career. But as you pointed out, it doesn’t matter how big it is to you if the person receiving it doesn’t give it the same “big” value. I really enjoy reading your bite-sized morsels on leadership concepts. Keep ’em coming!
One does see the results of how bigger is often perceived as better. Donald Trump is a prime example. Much of what I have read indicates that the ability to scale up is necessarily built on the mastery of the basics. So in my opinion that is always a good place to start, and revisit consistently.
GO BIG
A great testing environment for this idea is to pick a handful of current customers who will be honest with you and give you feedback. This will allow you to shape your idea for the masses. Great blog today Dan!
So true. I am an educator and so often we fail to get parents involved with our big ideas. Why? I don’t have a great answer unfortunately.
Before you can “go big” YOU need to “be big.” It is a leader who has the respect and appreciation of those who work for him/her that will jump over walls and move mountains. “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Prov 29:18. Are you the leader that can rally the troops around the vision? Is that vision your ego or the goals and values of the organization? We need to be big leaders to achieve big dreams, but we can’t be so “big” on ourselves we cast a shadow on the vision or worse, blot it from view.
Thanks Dana. The idea that we have to be big is so powerful.
Exactly.
You also need to include capacity in the equation. Going ‘big’ isn’t going to have a big impact if you can’t sustain. Making sure all the tools are in place for growth is important to make sure the ‘go big’ concept can be attainable reality.
Pick me! Would love this book for our Leadership Team!
Go where it matters and this includes home! We need to make the distinction between busyness and creating the breakthrough. New and differentiated vs better or faster.
One of the key concepts in this post was: “The success of all big ideas hinges on perceived value.” As a leader, no matter how convinced you are that your idea is biggest and best, ultimately those you lead are the ones who will determine the success of your idea based on their perception of its value.
Sounds terrific! Thanks for the opportunity!
There is always a first time and big is sometimes just bigger but with room to grow. Dan, keep inspiring me.
I work in healthcare services at a college, and it can be hard to get to know our customer base at times. Doing our first customer satisfaction survey this month as one way to learn more. Thanks for all the wisdom!
As always, another thought provoking post. I echo the sentiments of other readers – “be big” to go big; “to go big – go better”! These are great additions to topic
I would love to have that book….I do agree that your/our idea has to bring value, but the consensus building of those around you to help champion that idea has to bring value to them as well. Our first customer are those that we work for, work with and lead/serve (our own team), affording the end user to have belief in the product/service/idea. The “why” will be more believable.
Free books bring out the comments. Usually there are only a handful of comments. I would benefit from the book no doubt, as a pastor looking to train up elders and leaders for the next 20-40 years.
Re: this post, I’m not so sure about go big or go home. This appeals to the risk-taker. Put it all on the line. If one took this into the investing world it might end badly. Small can be beautiful. Small can be manageable. Most churches have less than 100 members. These are community churches, focused on a local parish or neighborhood. Many small businesses thrive as small business. The personal can be lost in the big.
I like to apply the concept of bigger to the process of thinking or planning; bigger not necessarily in terms of size, rather in terms of space. Meaning that we should allow our strategic plans or thoughts gather in space that is not confined or limiting as what we have been doing. To me that is like trying to put new or different ideas or thoughts into a box that was designed for different ideas/thoughts. Relating that back to size, doing so seems small. Thank you Dan for your daily thoughts and ideas. I am better at what I do because of you.
I have found that “bigger” is simply a refocusing of priorities. Our largest priority should be our customers whether in a service industry, manufacturing, or anything. We exist to service their needs and provide something they require. When we lose sight of that, we get off track and off mission. Whatever we do, whatever our “brand” is, our pie chart should reflect the needs and wants of the sector we look to effect. As it shrinks, the other slices of the pie may get bigger, but that is only because the pie is getting smaller as our market share (or how every you measure efficacy) gets smaller. Continually evaluate your focus and where you have empowered your team members. It is through that vein that you can focus on the bigger and have measurable results to show.
As an educator, I think we in the education community seem to forget that we have a customer base, and often we don’t include our customer base in the decisions that impact them.
It is an important thing to remember that we are not always the decider of whether or not our “Big ideas” are successful. It is the consumer of our products that have the ultimate control of that decision.
I appreciate how each of us can interpret “Go Big” in our own manner. To me, ” Go Big” has everything to do with establishing strong relationships, both in our organizational and personal lives. Without those strong relationships, you won’t have shared learning, motivation, trust, valuable feedback, influence, and fun, safe, and creative environments.
With most everything today it is about the customer experience. It doesn’t matter if you are selling widgets, food, an app, a service, etc. If the customer experience is not good, you will not be successful. In some cases this is a minor tweak to what others may be doing. While other times this could be a “go big” experience that customers love. Either way, without the customer buy in, you will fail.
It is so true that the customer defines what is bigger…or better. And it’s important to remember the definition will change person to person. Find your niche in the long tail and build your tribe. If it is better, it will usually get bigger.
“Go Big” is itself a value added idea. It says, “I need to be a part of something bigger than myself.” Customers get to decide if the idea is big enough or significant enough to give them significance. We have the opportunity to dream “big enough” or “significant enough” to offer them value. So, we should dream “bodacious” dreams! Then take small steps in their direction.
Anyone could apply “Go Big or Go Home” whether they are a leader or not. Someone looking to become a leader would benefit by applying the concept when pitching and implementing solutions. This can be applicable even looking for a new job: write big but true accomplishments on your resume – look for the next big position or even 2 positions bigger. I too would love to get a copy of the book for even more insights on how to GO BIG.
I am reminded of the quote from the Art of War, “Strategy without tactics is the slowest way to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” Build strategy to assure the big idea is successful
Bigger impact is the key. When we make a change, it’s for a purpose and the bigger the impact, the more that purpose is realized
I think it is very crucial that we think of all our customers when a decision “big” decision is made. Often time we only think of the external customer and forget about the internal customer.
I’m looking forward to reading Mark Miller’s new book.
Helpful post Dan! I prefer to innovate and create than sustain; and so the idea of “going big” appeals to me. And, as you rightly remind us, the only that finally gets to determine when we should “go big” and what “go big” looks like are the various customers–the end users and the partners/collaborators along the way.
All big ideas have to start from a germ of an idea and it takes patience and commitment for it to grow. This applies to people as well; and good Leaders nurture, nourish and feed until the idea is mature enough to go out into the world to be judged on it own merits. They know who, how and when to engage with to ensure the best possible outcome has the highest potential to succeed – that is where the BIG (Best in Group) comes in. If we stop thinking of “big” as a size, but as an acronym we can all have the BIG ideas! (No, I have not won a copy of the book, but would love to).
This content is coming at a good time for me.
Even though I think the idea is great, valuable, strong & innovative unless others also affirm & see the same “vision”, it falls on deaf ears. Bringing other colleagues along is an essential part of leadership. One challenge is when inaction just creates delay which kills the initiative of others.
I agree that the idea of a leader using the big or go home attitude is part of leading a high performance team or company. It neccessary to set higher standards or set new bars. Great people want to be challenged and expect leaders to challenge them regularly. If you aim at standard you will almost always miss. If you aim much higher with a team that believes in the cause or mission you will always accomplish things that you think were almost impossible. I believe it and have been fortunate enough to have experience it.
The comments have been rich for this post. Thanks for offering the book just for the engagement it produced. “The success of all big ideas hinges on perceived value.” and “Each customer group can have unique, and sometimes conflicting, expectations.” A challenge to “Go Big” is defining and communicating the idea in a language your audience hears and speaks.
Actually Dan, I totally agree with your premise about customers and end users. For a teacher, it would be easy to consider customers as only the students – they are the end users. But the actual customers include, fellow team members, co-staff, principal, parents, etc, each of whom have (hopefully) similar perceptions of the value of a teacher’s approach to the work of teaching. Thanks for the thought-provoking post!
Great question – how does what we have or do add value? Think I’ll put that on my desk so I am reminded to add value to peoples’ lives around me!
This awareness, “As the leader, you do not get to decide. The people that the idea is intending to serve are the judge and jury.” is a key element to success. I work in a church and operate on a team basis for leadership. The ultimate reward is when when the process is fulfilled from the pulpit to the parking lot volunteer.
I ran a church camp for 32 years; I just retired 3 days ago. I grew the business from 80 to 900 beds; being big did not mean less headaches- it meant that we had to work harder to feed a bigger animal with more moving parts. Big created momentum and it reduced the competition, but it also created a higher expectation by our guests. Big wants to crawl towards a bureaucracy; I fought back. I preferred big to small, but small has value as well.
I work in schools as a leadership coach, working Heads/Principals, middle managers and teams of teachers. “Going big” generally is about advancing the mission of a school in deliberate ways: nuanced efforts have a big impact down the line in a student’s journey and a parent partnerships through the relationships formed as much as curriculum content. Those who successfully work in schools are master recalibrators. “Big” is an an accumulation over time. Thank you for your leadership vitamins. I consume them gratefully, regularly, as do my clients.
I am new to Leadership Freak, and it is Awesome!, I find I am printing out almost every article to Post on my communication board. Thank you for the work that you do- it is changing lives.
As an educator, of course, we focus on our students. But our “customers” are more complex and include our colleagues (team members, coaches, principals), parents, board members, etc, Each have a critical role in student success. It takes a collective commitment by all of us. Thanx for another learning post!
Thanks so much for this opportunity! Just the other day, I was in a conversation about leadership and the impact on the culture of a school building. This blog starts each of my days in the most positive manner. Thank you!
Sounds like a book worth reading. Always looking for nuggets of truth.
Always start with the end customer and work backwards to figure out who all the other customers are in the value chain. As a senior leader, our team leaders are my customers. I serve them. They then serve the team. They serve an intermediary (think a retailer) who then serves the final consumer of the product and services we sell.
And some people seem to think “big” literally means “BIG”. It can mean more or better. In fact, we may achieve “big” by getting smaller. It’s not the word that matters; it’s the idea it conveys.
Perfect topic today! This afternoon we are hosting the awards ceremony for our first indoor triathlon held on 2/24/17. We are a senior center with a small walking track, therapeutic pool and cardio equipment. Last September our brand new assistant fitness coordinator proposed this concept and my internal responses included “What is that? How many patrons would attempt this? Thank God my external response was “Interesting, what would that look like?” We had to limit the registrations to 32 people only because of equipment available. We turned people away! Our athletes were ages 54-87 and represented the very fit and some who have just started to exercise in the past year. The building was filled with energy and excitement beyond our expectations. They expressed so much pride in themselves and encouragement for each other – WOW! Leadership lesson = trust and support your team and they will make you proud. http://www.bloomfieldtwp.org/seniors
I love to share the book with our team. Thank you for consistent inspiration!
Leaders are followed because they inspire a culture of caring for ALL stakeholders.
As a new leader, I would love one of these books to help guide my way!
When I think of this “big” concept, I think of how leaders need to invest more in their above average performers. Those are the people who are more than likely going to reach excellence. It is easy to focus on under performers but most growth comes from those employees who already demonstrate natural ability. Thanks for your investment in us with your wonderful content!
Many of my “big” ideas (dare I say aspirations) have had moments of reforming because of customer and staff feedback – whether positive or negative. A good number of those ideas weren’t big in their scope but they were risky, required change, took us another step, different, paradigm shifting. Doing the same thing “bigger” isn’t always big. Doing something new….that often mentally and emotionally feels bigger.
Outstanding leadership is the key to recruiting, influencing, and engaging a team of people who use their abilities to impact an organization with vision/dreams that will fulfill the central purpose for the existence of the company, business, ministry, or service.
Value is always the driving force in an idea, that value can already exist as a unmet need or can be created through advertising and information spreading. Ideas with out value are just ideas nothing more nothing less.
The concept of the customer’s choice to do or do not do business with a company/product, being looked at as the customer getting to choose to hire or fire a company/product is a favorite of mine. Both as a consumer and provider.
The decision to “go big” is much like poker (texas holdem). If you have done the proper research on your “big” move, it’s like starting with pocket aces. The best hand you can start with, yet not a guaranteed winner.
If you “go big” due to a feeling, or just changing for the sake of change, you may be heading in to the hand with a 7-2 (worst starting hand according to probability). Although starting behind the proverbial eight-ball you can get lucky, beat the odds, and be victorious against pocket aces.
A company makes the choice of what hand they hold. It is the customer that decides the “flop”.
As for the book. I would enjoy reading it then passing it along to others who may also benefit.
Going big is more than just pushing forward for greatness, it is becoming small (humble) to learn how to carry forward our vision. A powerfully embodied vision has power to influence and grow “big”.
This morning we had a staff meeting, and based on the climate survey, the customer is not on board with leadership’s big idea. Deliberate better practice and more communication will hopefully bring the customers on board.
My organization is a “growth spurt” and we are aligning services and products to the needs of our members. We are looking at ways they can do business with us easier and have an impactful member experience that is superior to our competition. I would love to have a copy of this book to continue that momentum as well as changing the “old behaviors” of our more tenured employees.
The field of government training is different. So much of our environment is influenced by factors beyond our control. I don’t get to decide bigger! Often I’m fighting for best practice. Thanks for this blog. Sharing with my leadership program participants and we all find great value!
A great reminder to never ever forget the customer. We’re in the midst of a transformation of how we develop software and are very focused on the “how we are going to change” and less focused on why we are changing in the first place, which of course was the customer wasn’t happy. We need to connect to the customer throughout the process. Thanks!
this is great, you have to look through the customer’s lens and add value. solve their problem and you win.
What if “go big” as a leader MEANS going home? As in, to go inside and discover what you’re here for, who you’re meant to serve and helping those groups “go big” as themselves? Going home requires being the biggest you possible, to serve the organization – its leaders, employees, and customers or members – in the most authentic way possible, with the assumption that the organization is built on positive practices to make a difference. I’d love a free book, but more appreciate the opportunity to share.
Love it!! Mark Miller is a rock star on Leadership.
Enjoy reading your daily messages and would love to win a copy of the book.
Excellent reminder. It’s not about us. It’s about them and their needs and wants…and whether we express it all in a way that resonates.
Great points. I learned some of this in graduate school classes: there are different audiences, not just the end user, and they have different perspectives; you have to get buy-in from all the team members; and better is valuable strategic thinking.
I work with a non-profit. We are currently trying to increase our donor base. It’s so true that you have to know your “customers.” We previously took a “one-size-fits-all approach” with our donors, but we’ve found they group into very unique clusters. Our single approach only worked with one cluster. Three others remained untapped. Since, we don’t want to “use” our constituents because we exist to serve them, we realized that we need to look at ourselves and do more than craft a special message for the other three clusters. We need to make sure they know we want to serve them, too. In fact, one cluster seems to be “customers” that think they serve us, instead of us serving them. That’s a hurdle for drawing them into our donor circle.
I want to be a better leader!
Dan, your approach of using the customers as the basis for whether an idea takes off or not is crucial! I know that information that I can take back to my principals and superintendent about how to look at professional development. I also agree with cedar12brook in his/her statement. I would very much appreciate receiving the book to reinforce ideas and anchors as the professional development specialist in our school district!
Looking forward to reading this book as I continue my growth as a leader.
For our small manufacturing company, going big often means helping all our team members see outside of the box of just their job responsibilities. It’s a mindset we cultivate by sharing everything from our financial health to how we think about adding more staff or how we deal with international orders and mostly importantly, WHY we’ve chosen to act in that manner. A bigger picture helps my employees get satisfaction from their work as well, while hopefully delivering a better product and service to our customers.
“The people that the idea is intending to serve are the judge and jury.” This is so true. If there is no audience for your idea then it won’t get anywhere. The end user decides whether your idea is worth following and if they don’t find value in your idea, then it’s a big bust.
I’ve been thinking about what “going big” means for government. It’s not about profit or customer base, but it’s about serving the public good in better, more creative, more efficient ways. Given attitudes about government, we should definitely find ways to do this.
I always try to remember that, more often than not, the success of the big idea still hinges on the successful execution of many small actions. It’s the small actions that people remember. “[Big idea] is wonderful because [examples of many small actions]”
And, of course, the customer has to want or need what you’re offering.
The thought on perceived value along with several customer bases is what I related to. We have a huge variety of customer bases yet there is a singular perceived value for all customers. Yet that value is accomplished in different ways for each customer base. We find we have to adjust details of our product applications for each customer base for it to accomplish that value in the various situations.
To be a successful leader you must build a trust with your teams. Be someone who can be respected and open to feedback. I am always striving to be the best I can be so I may inspire others to do the same. I love getting my Leadership Freak emails that help me remember to walk the walk. Looking forward to reading the book!
In the skiing world, the mantra is “Go Fast or Go Home.” This applies to the business world too. Going big, but moving ponderously, is a recipe for failure. Someone else will get there first.
In education, this is so true. We constantly have to think of ideas with the customers (students) in mind; however, it is easy for any of us to get stuck in the concept of “what’s in it for me?” This is dangerous to any organization to think in such a close-minded fashion.
Interested in his new book!!
Great article! Love the last time about making sure your customer’s see the value in it. Our core values of Innovation, Passion and Attitude personify our own ‘Go Big, or Go Home’ mentality. Would LOVE to read this book. Thank you!
Value. I find that no matter what you have to show everyone value. If someone sees how valuable something can be for them it is hard to say no. If you show that ‘value’ AND they see your own passion and desire for that to impact them, its almost a sure thing that they are going to want to be a part of that entity.
I enjoy reading Leadership Freak. As a middle school teacher I find useful advice that applies to my field as well.
Love the Leadership Freak!! Always a meaningful quick-read. It is sometimes hard to ‘think big and act big’ while remembering the boundaries of exactly who you are leading – and for what purpose, but leadership is the vital pieces of success. Thanks for always bringing thoughtfulness for leaders! Great piece!
Go bigger could also mean enlarging the number of people in your organisation that buy into your idea and actively support it. They move your ideas forward for you.
So by getting active buy in you go big.
Our agency has just launched a Leadership Development Program to help our staff develop leadership competencies and make them viable candidates for our top three leadership levels in the agency.
This book would likely be VERY helpful to include in our leadership training classes.
We are currently retooling our leadership team and are particularly puzzled by those whose behaviors seem an attempt to actively try to thwart progress while they verbally support these changes. We are refocusing our efforts on deciphering the “culture” of who we are vs. who we say we want to become….a fascinating and arduous work indeed!!
Value is the selling point on anything in life. In order to go big, you have to dig deep for the small details. Good article thanks for sharing!
“Going Big” doesn’t necessarily mean immediate gratification. Slow playing a situation to sustain credibility and to keep the customer returning is more important than just acquiring a new customer. This goes for customers as well as those who you lead/manage. You have to be credible in-conjunction with adding value, and some times this is a long play.
Let’s continuously work to educate our customers so they are prepared to make great decisions/choices that are in their best self-interest.
As I understand, customer should take pride in your activities till last. When questions comes on loyalty it’s bigger than the pride.
2. Loyalty keeps talking about values which are attached with your customers , brand and organisation.
3. How would you keep taking feedback from your customers, ensure it first , make a connect , if its constructive will accentuate more positives in your organization and build culture of “your company at door step”.
4. Customer must speak about your organisation contexting on feedback , if it’s there then
5. First time redirection will be there. And relationship building will be started and each customer will start talking to another potential customer..
6. A vase of base of new customers will be in place through networking process.
Value and relationship based solid customer base will be there with a Trust
Crazy
When someone figures out that a leader does not get to decide then they have hit the jackpot and can go big! Love it! If not they better go home.
When working in middle management, often the first “customer” to convince is your supervisors. Convincing supervisors is difficult as they can have more information and a bigger picture perspective than you have. Spending time understanding their perspective can pay off big time later on.
Thanks for all the opportunities for growth you have given me over the years!!
I like the reminder to know who all my customers are. Often I think of the end user and let passion and excitement of an idea drive the development, which makes it harder to go back and rebuild.
Making it better by involving help and letting go of ego ownership is always my challenge.
Thanks for recapping truth in going “bigger”!
This can’t be more true! Knowing that the customer is the judge and keeping them in mind will help keep the organization focused and motivated.
Outstanding! Look forward to reading this book
I would really appreciate the opportunity to receive a copy of your book please. I am in a leadership role and any supporting reading for the position to assist me in becoming a better leader would be very welcomed.
We had this conversation yesterday in a meeting, about the differences of small, incremental changes versus a big, all-encompassing change. There is a place and time for each kind of change and each one has its own merits. Right now…we are going BIG.
Great point – the customer is the judge & jury! This concept should keep a Leader humble and always thinking more about others than themselves. Although, I know leaders who get too caught up in ego to see the truth in this idea. I just strive not to be one of them. Can’t wait to read the book!
It’s wonderful if I get a copy of the book! 🙂
Perhaps Go HUGE or Go Home would be more appropriate right now.
I would love to get a copy of the book. Many organizations think it’s just the internal approval needed, when it is ultimately the customers approval that determines success. Great insight as always.
So true…I wonder how often leaders (or anyone who has a great idea for that matter) just run out of steam when trying to help others see the vision.
I recently had a big idea! It took me considerable time and effort to convince my customers (My Leadership) that the idea added a tremendous amount of value, and even more time to bring the idea to life. When The project was completed I was very let down that my leaders were not validating all of my hard work. After a short time I sent out a thank you e-mail to all those who had helped and immediately my frustration for lack of recognition was gone. Thank you for all of the wisdom you share, it is a tremendous help!
I’m always on the look out for a good book about developing strong leadership skills, and look forward to adding this one to my collection!
I am always looking for books to build my professional library. Would love to win this book.
Thanks Dan for the encouragement. The idea of going big having nothing to do with size rather adding value is something I work towards daily as a manager. Appreciate all you do to impact those working on leading people rather than having the title of “leader”.
I really enjoy this blog and am able to apply principles immediately to my daily work and life. I had read a number of the other books recommended and would be interested in this one as well. – Heather
I liked Dana’s post about first being big ourselves. I can see that as a strong leadership point. Not too big to cast the shadow, but big enough to be the vision and rally around the movement to go big.
I’m in a new role growing leaders. Leadership Freak is a source of daily encouragement in this.
About them which is outlined right here I had some uncertainty with my
moms and dads and now I had actual points that will
help me to spell out my perspective! Thanks! http://bit.ly/2pV7SUP