April 23Unstoppable Impact
No services are of any value, but only likeness. When I have attempted to join myself to others by services, it proved an intellectual trick,—no more. They eat your service like apples, and leave you out. But love them, and they feel you, and delight in you all the time.
Ralph Waldo Emerson—“Gifts,” Essays: Second Series (1844)
The most potent way to think about any entrepreneurial venture isn't taught widely.
The classic start-up founder is urged to research and observe a gap in the market, find a way to fill this gap, and then explore cost-effective ways to reach this market. (All the better if you can work the word “lean” into a pitch deck.)
There's nothing wrong with this advice, but the most successful ventures of all time have found or happened upon something far more compelling. These companies, products, services, brands, missions have discovered a way to create a profound impact for everyone they draw into their universe.
So, the question is this: could you start or reshape a company by focusing solely on creating the greatest possible impact? Could you love everyone and everything about those you serve?
It might cause you to change your business plan, but it might just unleash a force of unstoppable impact on you and whatever you were meant to create.
Who knows—maybe it won't work. But don't you want to explore it?
Challenge Question
- What measurable impact could you create for those you serve?
Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.
Read now
Unlock full access