Edge of Possibilities

What’s possible with a clear, sharp edge? When I was growing up, I would split firewood with my grandfather. He often talked about how a sharp axe is a safe axe. At the end of the day, we would go up to his shed and sharpen the axe so it was always ready to go.

With this blog, my heart's desire is to help foster discovery with you, your business and your team. Let’s explore three areas. 

1. Defining Your Edge

2. Sharpening Your Edge

3. Protecting Your Edge

Every leader and business can be good at many different things. If you were to drill down, defining what gives you the edge, that niche, setting you and your business apart, what would that be? To look forward, sometimes it helps to reflect.

Reflecting Questions

1. What fueled you to start your business? 

2. What is the why behind your goals?

3. What is it when you do it, people say, wow, you’re really talented?

Leadership is an ability to rewire your mindsets for success. 

1). Defining Your Edge

Let’s dial in on defining your Edge. There are lots of opportunities for distractions in business and leadership. Knowing your client’s needs, your team's goals, your business niche, your strengths, your service will help you to really define your edge. 

1. What sets you/your team apart from others?

2. What are you solving for your clients?

3. What are your client’s pain points?

My grandfather said there are things we could do to help protect the edge of the axe maximizing the sharpness. One was avoiding hitting rocks or even injury that causes delay and time wasters. He said often, a sharp edge is an effective edge.

2). Sharpen Your Edge

Let’s explore considerations to keep your edge sharp. Celebrating positive WINS throughout the day allows leaders to connect the dots of growth.

1. What daily habits would support a sharp mental edge?

2. What attributes would feed your ecosystem keeping the edge sharp?

3. What personal development would sharpen your edge?

For example, reading consistently, team huddles, celebrating your team and clients, celebrating movement of goals. How could you create a thriving ecosystem? Core values and solid habits help to protect the edge.

 3). Protect Your Edge

I can remember my grandfather having me lay the wood I was splitting on top of another piece of wood. This protected the edge. The way we stood and the way we positioned our body during the swing influenced our capacity and safety. 

Studies show vision leaks. Consider creating ways to feed the vision and celebrate any forward movement. Our mindsets will begin connecting the dots.

1. What is your actual firewood you’re cutting?

2. How could core values and habits help with efficiency?

3. How could you define goals to grow capacity?

Vision: What it looks like built.

Purpose: Why you do what you do.

Explore Your EDGE

1. What is your core business?

2. Do your customers know your business?

3. What is the edge that others notice?

Consider setting aside a few minutes in the next week and reflect on these questions. Many times a question can unlock a treasure to another question. Explore: YOUR EDGE OF POSSIBILITIES.

There was a principle a leader shared with me many years ago.

Many live their entire life and never fully live. We know there are bridges of development that are catalysts for the next season of growth. It would be the highest honor to explore growth opportunities with you. Remember, you have an EDGE that sets you apart.

In Gratitude,

Ed Garner

P.S. I want to encourage you to read last week's blog where I talk about being a reinvention company - one who consistently innovates!