By Jason Richmond, CEO and Chief Culture Officer at Ideal Outcomes, Inc.
You can be sure I’ll be cooking up a storm on July 4th. And when I spring into action at my Big Green Egg smoker I’ll be cooking up something fun and different. It’s one of the things I love to do. But while I’m focused on my cooking I never lose sight of the reason we’re celebrating July 4th in the first place—and also what it means from a business perspective.
When you get together with family and friends to commemorate the birth of our nation or when you watch a stunning display of fireworks light up the night sky, I encourage you to do the same. Look at July 4th not only as a day to kick back and relax, but also as a day to ignite your own sparks of independence, innovation, and resilience. Here are some ways to think about how examples from our country’s founders can be relevant to success in the business world of 2024.
Be Bold
It’s hard to imagine a more courageous decision than that made by the Founding Fathers, and business leaders can certainly learn some lessons from it. Companies begin when bold individuals seek their own independence and turn a passionate idea into reality. It doesn’t happen without a lot of forethought and planning before undertaking what could be a life-changing event. When you have the strength of your convictions, just go for it!
Have a Clear Vision
The men who brought the United States into being had a strong vision for the future of the country and what it stood for—a united and free nation. The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals of this fledgling country. Every startup should similarly know where it wants to go, what it wants to accomplish, and what it believes in. Starting a business means you have to have faith in a concept before anyone else does and be prepared to fight to turn it into reality.
Create a Strong Team
Every great visionary accomplishing nothing without surrounding themselves with a group of likeminded individuals who share the same beliefs and have a commitment to the mission. In the summer of 1776, 56 men from 13 colonies affixed their signatures to the Declaration of Independence. As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” While you’re not likely to face execution if you don’t execute a business plan successfully, the message about a group of people working together and standing firm together is clear. Collaboration is an essential factor for the development of any organization.
Don’t Give Up
The Revolutionary War wasn’t going well. George Washington’s army had suffered several major defeats and morale was sinking. But Washington wasn’t about to give up. In driving rain on Christmas night 1776 he led his bedraggled Continental Army across an ice-choked Delaware River to launch a surprise attack. The success of this audacious move re-ignited the fight against the British, giving new life to the American Revolution. Experienced entrepreneurs understand that they will have battles of their own and need resilience to overcome obstacle after obstacle. They know that failures are nothing more than stepping stones on the way to victory.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
The patriots of the revolution didn’t have the ability to email or text, but they did have their own key communications system. Towns, counties, and colonies had “committees of correspondence” in which leaders wrote letters to each other to exchange ideas, confirm mutual support, and debate and coordinate their campaigns against the British. And no one can forget the way Paul Revere spread the message, “The British are coming! The British are coming!” In today’s age, communication at every level is an essential component for success—not only to keep your employees and stakeholders up to date and engaged, but also to keep your customers in the loop and continue their loyalty to your brand.
Ignite Success
In the spirit of July 4th, let’s remember that the values of independence, innovation, and resilience are not only foundational to the identity of a nation, but are equally vital in nurturing business success. Look beyond the pageantry of parades and spectacular fireworks displays and learn from the bold actions of our Founding Fathers. They showed us that vision, courage, and collaborative teamwork are timeless qualities that propel us forward, both as a country and in our business ventures. By integrating the spirit of independence into operations and marketing strategies, businesses can create a resonant and impactful presence that carries far beyond Independence Day itself.