Success starts with core truth

I’ve always been fascinated by what creates high performance in a company. Over the years I’ve noticed that the factors which support peak performance in an individual are the same factors that cause a business to operate at its best: a focus on core truth, a commitment to a clear vision, and the ability to see and seize unexpected opportunities or guidance.

A key driver of many successful businesses is that ineffable, deeply-held “knowing” of a senior executive or business owner that they are on the right path regardless of the challenges they meet along the way. Their certainty expresses itself in language like, “I believe that this department (division, company) can be successful” or “I don’t know how, but I know we’re going to do this!” You can tell that the statements are not coming from bravado; you can hear the deeply-held conviction in their voice.

I call this deep level of knowing “core truth”. Every successful business person I’ve worked with or interviewed has credited their success in large part to acting on what they often refer to as gut instinct, a deeply felt certainty that this is the way to go even though logic might suggest otherwise. They learned to trust their internal “green light” or “red light” feelings and they use their core truth in decision-making as much as they do their thinking mind.

A business that operates from core truth seems to exude a higher level of commitment, conviction and passion that in turn resonates for us. Most of us prefer to buy from companies that we believe in: we trust that they will deliver on their promises.

Core truth also provides the solid ground upon which to stand when challenges arise. For example, a colleague of mine was preparing to give a presentation to a major corporation. Even though the presentation was excellent, she continued to feel a nagging sense that something critical was missing. We talked the day before the meeting and I asked her why she felt her company was so uniquely suited to take on this project. She started talking about the values upon which her company was founded: being innovative, integrating systems to save both time and money, using best in class technologies.

The more she talked about her business’ core values (truths), the more passionate and self-assured she became. The truth of what she believed became the spark that turned a factual presentation of capabilities into a roaring fire of conviction. When her company was awarded the project, she was told it was due as much to who she was being as it was the impressiveness of her track record and unique services. They felt the fire of her conviction and truth.

What companies would you say communicate and follow their core values and truth? While I haven’t done any research on the companies I’m about to mention, I would nominate Zappo’s, the original Bear Naked granola company, General Electric and UTC. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click on the following link to learn more about the LIVE like YOU MEAN it! peak performance training. Or visit LinkedIn to learn more about my marketing and project management services: Power Source Now, LLC .