The 3 Keys to Empowerment: Pick a Goal, Have a Purpose | Travel Research Online

Image
Image

The 3 Keys to Empowerment: Pick a Goal, Have a Purpose

“A team is two or more people working together to accomplish a common purpose and who are held accountable for the results.”

The 3 Keys to Empowerment by Ken Blanchard, John P. Carlos, and Alan Randolph

The two words that jumped off the page when reading this passage were “purpose” and “accountable.” I also picked up on the word “team.”

The word “purpose” in today’s context can be considered as your goal. An old saying reminds us that “if you do not know where you are going, any road will take you there.” Similarly, once you identify your “purpose” or “objective,” you will have a better chance of accomplishing your mission.

The truth is (in this or any other business), due to the nature of today’s competitive and unpredictable world, too many of us resort to the tendency of “winging” their way through life. They take on challenges as they surface, and not in any particular order. I suppose this tenacious approach could be considered exemplary, but it also impedes progress, as it is helter-skelter and unorganized at best.

Click on the book to grab your own copy of "The 3 Keys to Empowerment"
Click on the book to grab your own copy of “The 3 Keys to Empowerment”

Pick a goal. Choose an objective. Have a purpose. Then do something that very few travel professionals do to any degree of proficiency. Hold yourself accountable to your goal, objective, or purpose. There, I’ve said it again but with different words: “If it is to be, it is up to you.”

It is time for you to cross the Rubicon. (A little reference to some Roman History: The idiom “Crossing the Rubicon” means to pass a point of no return, and refers to Julius Caesar’s army’s crossing of the Rubicon River (in the north of Italy ) in 49 BC, which was considered an act of insurrection and treason. Julius Caesar uttered the famous phrase “alea iacta est”—the die is cast—as his army marched through the shallow river.)

(Note: And here you thought I was an empty suit. You guessed it: History Major, UMASS, 1972)

This reference may be a stretch, but my meaning should be clear. Don’t hope. Don’t wish. Don’t pray. Make it happen because that is what you have made up your mind to do. You are holding yourself accountable. Make it happen.

The third word I highlighted in this passage is the word “team.” You may think that since you are a one-man band that you don’t have a team, but nothing could be further from the truth. You may not have fellow employees, but you do have preferred suppliers. If you don’t have a team, get a team. Business today is too hard, if not impossible, to go it alone.

With either employees or suppliers, meet with these folks to identify your “purpose.” Then hold each other “accountable” for your documented results. This is the way it is done. Do it.


Mike presents a business-building webinar on the third Thursday of every month sponsored by AmaWaterways. To receive monthly invitations send Mike an email with the words “business training” in the Subject Box. You will also receive a link to the recorded version.

For information on Mike’s Fourth Annual Training Cruise, email Mike at mike@mikemarchev.com with the word “cruise” in the subject box.

Click Here!

Share your thoughts on “The 3 Keys to Empowerment: Pick a Goal, Have a Purpose”

You must be a registered user and be logged in to post a comment.