Discovering Your True North as a Business Owner: A Pathway to Success

Success in business for a business owner can be tied to staying with or discovering your purpose for starting the business or your “True North”.

With the demands of running a business sometimes overshadowing the core values and passions that initially inspired the entrepreneurial journey, It is during these times that discovering your true north becomes crucial to reinvigorate yourself and your business.

What is True North?

True north is a metaphorical concept that refers to the highest or most authentic version of ourselves. It is the core set of values and beliefs that guide our actions and decisions in both personal and professional life. Just like a compass points towards the geographic north, an individual's true north serves as a guiding principle to achieve success and fulfillment.

Discovering your true north is a journey of self-reflection, introspection, and exploration.  Here are some steps to help you along the way:

• Self-Awareness: Take time to reflect on your values, passions, strengths, and weaknesses. What are the core principles that guide your decision-making process?
• Define Your Purpose: Identify your purpose as a business owner. Why does your business exist beyond making a profit? What impact do you want to create in the world?
• Align Your Actions: Evaluate your business practices and ensure they align with this purpose. Identify areas that need adjustment and make changes accordingly.
• Seek Feedback: Engage with your team, mentors, and trusted advisors to gain perspective and feedback on your values and leadership style. A fresh viewpoint can provide valuable insights.
• Regular Reflection: Continuously reassess and reflect upon your true north. As you evolve as an individual and as a business, your purpose and values may also evolve. Regular reflection will help you stay aligned.

Ways in which knowing your true north aids your business success

Personal Alignment: Unveiling your true north allows you to align your personal values with your business objectives. This alignment ensures coherence and authenticity in everything you do, leading to a strong sense of purpose and motivation.  If honest is a a strong personal value you will want to to free and fair with your clients too.

Goals Allignment: Discovering your true north is essential as a business owner because it helps align your actions and goals with your deepest values and purpose. When you have a clear understanding of who you are and what drives you, you can make decisions that are authentic and aligned with your vision.

Strategic Decision-Making: Clarity about your true north provides a compass to navigate through complex business decisions. It helps you stay focused on what truly matters, making strategic choices in line with your purpose and long-term goals. For instance if building relationships is not high up for you, then prioitizing networking as a business strategy may not be for you.

Inspiring Leadership: Discovering your true north enables you to lead with authenticity, inspiring and influencing your team to do the same. Authentic leaders are known for their ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and create a positive working environment.

Adaptability and Resilience: When challenges arise, staying connected to your true north gives you the resilience to persevere. Your core values and purpose become an anchor during difficult times, allowing you to adapt and overcome obstacles with greater confidence.

Customer Connection: Understanding and communicating your true north builds trust and connection with your customers. People are drawn to businesses that are authentic and share similar values, leading to stronger customer loyalty and advocacy.

In a world where businesses are striving to differentiate themselves, authenticity and purpose are powerful differentiators. Discovering your true north not only delivers personal satisfaction but also enables your business to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.