I get to do the best thing ever in my job. I get to learn about people, their passions, their strengths, and their goals through the lens of their business.
Work, when we’re connected to the purpose in it, when we’re channeling our strengths and feeling the positive impact, whether at a coffee shop or in an ER, is a manifestation of who we are.
In my business, we help companies find what makes them different and the right choice for the right people. Then we bring it to life in a story they can own and share with others.
We talk to their customers and teams. We look at competitors. We dig to understand why any of it matters in the first place.
And then we bring it all together in a strategy session with their leaders—and we trigger conversation.
That’s where we find it. There’s always a moment (or two or three or ten), when we see the magic. We get inside the minds and hearts of the people leading the effort. After we’ve peeled away the superficial layers, the generic positioning, the features and benefits, the buzzwords.
We see their love for their craft, the problem they solve, the people they serve.
It’s in those conversations that you get to witness the mastery. A glimpse into how they think, how they see the world, and how they solve problems. You get to live vicariously in the mind of an expert, doing what they do best.
We go in knowing the process works, but still—at the start of every engagement, there’s this voice in my head:
How are we going to help these people? Is there anything more to uncover beyond the surface of what they do? Especially when we’ve worked with others in the same industry…is there really anything new to say?
Always. There always is.
Because what looks, at first glance, like just another business in a sea of sameness, always becomes something distinct, powerful (even magical) once you dig beneath the surface.
We’re miners for meaning. And I love it.
The process takes time. Companies don’t often slow down to ask these questions. But when they do, when we help them peel back the layers, they see it too. The power in who they are and what they do.
That got me thinking…
What if we brought that same curiosity to other parts of life—not for business value, but for human value?
At the next BBQ or networking event…what if we stayed curious? What if we dug deeper instead of asking about the weather or what they scored at Costco?
People are fascinating. Life is fascinating. But we have to look.
I had a glimpse of this on the weekend when we watched the Netflix series Quarterback (Season 2). It’s a behind-the-scenes look at three NFL quarterbacks during the 2024/25 season. I’m a sucker for these types of shows. Netflix kills it with F1: Drive to Survive, Full Swing, Receiver…
There’s a scene where all three QBs are shown on split-screen, each explaining what’s running through their minds as the play clock ticks down, the positioning, the play options, the reads, the risks. Decisions that have to be made in seconds.
I’ve been watching football since the Seahawks won the Super Bowl in 2014, and still…I probably understand 10% of what’s actually going on. But that scene? Mind-blowing. It made me appreciate just how much mastery is required to play that position.
It’s that level of depth, of expertise, of invisible-to-the-casual-observer insight—that’s what makes everything more interesting.
Imagine what you’d learn if you asked your teammate, your neighbour, your Uber driver a few more questions.
You might just find yourself at the centre of the onion.
Mary
P.S. We help visionary leaders and organizations achieve more impact through purpose, engagement and storytelling. When you’re ready, here’s how we can help:
- Build the story of your impact through Envision OnPrpose™
- Energize your people’s potential from the inside out with Engage OnPrpose™
- Amplify your industry voice through Influence OnPrpose™
- Develop purpose-driven leaders and storytellers with Influential Leaders Circle™
P.P.S. Check out past One Thing Thursdays here.