Finding Your 'Why' - The Guiding Light for Leaders

Written by Faizan Haider from a podcast episode Dana Weaver appeared on. 

Let’s talk about your ‘why’ as a leader, and how that helps you move from feeling overwhelmed to scaling your business effectively, because you are likely juggling a lot.

It's like you have this vision for where you want to go, but sometimes, the day-to-day just gets in the way, and you end up feeling like you're going in circles. I understand that.

So, when I talk about your 'why', I'm not just talking about the epic concept coined by Simon Sinek. Your ‘why’ is more than just a mission statement, or something you put on your website. It’s really the core of what drives you as a leader and as a business owner. It's that deep, personal reason behind everything you do. It’s what keeps you going, even when things get tough. Think of it as your compass, it gives you direction and helps you stay focused on your vision, even when things get confusing or when the path ahead isn’t clear.

Now, a compass is great, but you also need a map, right? And sometimes, when you're following that map, you might come across some rough terrain, or a detour, and that’s okay. That’s where being a lifelong learner comes in and you have to adapt and be resilient to the situation you find yourself in. You have to be open to new ideas and be willing to change methods as your business grows. You don’t want to get stuck in old habits just because that’s the way you've always done things. It’s really about balancing having that strategic vision, that ‘why’ that guides you like a compass, while still being in a state of learning, so you can keep improving.

Having a clear vision will help you make decisions with confidence, and that in turn helps you stay true to your values. When you understand your values, you can make sure that everything you do aligns with what's most important to you, and this really helps you stay focused on your goals. It also helps you to say "no" to the things that don't align with that vision. As entrepreneurs, we're often handling many different priorities, and when you don't have that clear vision, it's really easy to get distracted, or take on things that pull you away from your goals.

When you don’t know your ‘why,’ you can start to feel like an imposter. It's like you start to believe that you're not good enough, or you're a fraud. And that can lead to all sorts of problems, like comparing yourself to others, and losing sight of your own vision. This is why it is really important to learn how to talk to yourself, rather than listening to yourself, because those limiting beliefs can hold you back.

When you find yourself in that place, questioning your own ability, ask yourself, ‘why am I doing all of this?’. Getting that clarity can help you take that next step and focus on the thing that is going to make the biggest impact. As entrepreneurs, we’re often running on adrenaline, always searching for the next big opportunity. But when you're in a constant state of ‘go, go, go,’ it becomes hard to step back and really assess what’s going on inside. That’s why doing that internal work is so crucial to accelerate the growth of your business sustainability.

So, here’s some advice that you can use right now:

First, take a moment to really connect with your ‘why’. What is the reason behind what you’re doing? How does it connect with your values? What gets you excited, and what makes you want to get out of bed every morning?

Next, think about how you’re communicating with your team, your clients, and yourself. This is important as it ensures that everyone on your team is working towards the same vision as yourself. Are you really listening to what they have to say? Are you giving them the space to share their ideas? Or are you too busy trying to do everything yourself? You don’t have to be a superhero- people are often more receptive than you would think when approached with respect.

It's really about making that shift from feeling overwhelmed to feeling empowered, and it starts with really understanding yourself, your vision, and how you can lead with clarity and purpose. Overcoming that sense of ‘Can I really handle this’ and all the imposter syndrome and doubts; in the moments when it gets too much, it's so important to learn to talk to yourself rather than listening to yourself, to reframe those negative thoughts that can hold you back.

And, finally, start looking at your processes. Where can you delegate? Where can you create systems that support you, rather than drain you? Once we really understand who we are, what our vision is and how we can personally be the best version of ourselves, then this process becomes easier as we set goals and systems that are more aligned to what we do.

Remember, there’s no ‘right’ way to do it, it’s about finding your way and making a positive impact. That’s what we need more of in this world, women who are leading with authenticity, who are empowering others to be the best they can be. So, go out there and make it happen. You've got this!