Business, much like life, is less what you do and more why you do it.
Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why, explains this concept well in his famous Ted Talk. Your why is your purpose, your belief, your motivation for action. The concept is explained well in the parable about the three bricklayers. They story goes like this:
“Once there were 3 bricklayers. Each one of them was asked what they were doing.
The first man answered gruffly, ‘I’m laying bricks.’
The second man replied, ‘I’m putting up a wall.’
But the third man said enthusiastically and with pride, ‘I’m building a cathedral.'”
–Author Unknown
The third bricklayer clearly knows why – his purpose is clear. This story of the bricklayers also reveals two secrets of success: attitude and the ability to see the big picture.
Your attitude towards whatever you are doing determines your ultimate level of success. Having enthusiasm and pride in what you are doing will show in your work. Your attitude is one of the most important things that you control, and you get to choose your attitude each and every day. The choice you make will determine your success.
Being able to see the end result, rather than just the task, eliminates obstacles, focuses your energy, and provides motivation to excel. At times our focus is only on the immediate task (the ‘what’). When we change our focus on the bigger picture (the ‘why’), it provides motivation to continue and can inspire solutions to challenges.
We’re fortunate to be home to many local businesses and organizations that are focused on the “why” and not on the “what”. These organizations help define the Vail Valley, and these leaders are cause for continued optimism when we hit the next inevitable obstacle to economic or social success.
Contrast that with numerous organizations and professional service providers who might do business in the valley but are not located here. A recent example springs to mind with a new service provider who jumped ship only a few months after landing a large business contract, leaving the local partner for a competitor. That might be business as usual in the big city, but fortunately for us that’s the exception to the rule in the Vail Valley. Business ethics goes hand in hand with understanding your why, as businesses who focus on the why are typically more invested than those focused on the what.
Vail Valley Partnership invites you to celebrate our community leaders in business and the non-profit sector at our 13th Annual Success Awards, to be held at the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch on Friday, May 13. We’ll be celebrating those who are working to build the cathedral, to borrow from the story of the bricklayers – the businesses, organizations, and individuals who each play a significant role in driving the Vail Valley’s business community and economic growth.
The 13th Annual Success Awards recognizes businesses that have excelled over the past year and acknowledges their hard work and dedication as the best in the Vail Valley. All nominees share a common trait; they are focused on the why and are helping to build a better Vail Valley. Nominees include:
- Business of the Year
- Crazy Mountain Brewing Company
- East West Destination Hospitality
- The Gallegos Corporation
- Small Business of the Year
- Alpine Arts Center
- Malen Yantis Public Relations
- Resort Books
- Nonprofit of the Year
- Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley
- Mind Springs Health
- SOS Outreach
- Small Nonprofit of the Year
- Eagle River Youth Coalition
- Ute Springs Experiential Learning Center
- Vail Valley Charitable Fund
- Best Place to Work
- Alpine Bank
- Walking Mountains Science Center
- Vail Valley Foundation
- Community Impact Award
- Antlers at Vail
- Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley
- Vail Valley Charitable Fund
- Tourism Professional of the Year
- Amy Cassidy
- Kristen Pryor
- Kristin Yantis
- Young Professional of the Year
- Amy Ben-Horin
- Gretchen Swanson
- Kristen Bertuglia
- Actively Green Award
- Alpine Bank
- Town of Vail
- West Vail Liquor Mart
- Healthy Workplace Award
- East West Destination Hospitality
- Vail Valley Foundation
- Vail Valley Jet Center
- Innovations in Local Government
- Town of Eagle- Singletrack Sidewalks
- Town of Gypsum- Business Grant Program
- Town of Vail- Commission on Special Events
- Member of the Year (Chosen by Vail Valley Partnership)
- Chairman’s Award, Glenn Davis, Alpine Bank
Congratulations to all the nominees, and to all local businesses and leaders who focus on the “why” – you help to make the Vail Valley a great community to live, to work, and to play.
Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership