By Perry Marshall
40 years ago, a Pittsburgh metal foundry plant manager named Wayne Alderson shot a riveting film called "Miracle of Pittron."
He said,
"People who own and manage companies have huge potential to influence the world for the better. Why aren't they using it?"
I think it's because they don't understand the power they wield.
YOU probably don't understand the power you wield.
You're more powerful than you think you are:
-The mass media is full of psychopaths who broadcast their mentality of
oppression and despair.
You, as an entrepreneur, live in a world of opportunity and cooperation. People do respect you and listen to you, whether you realize it or not. They know you've ventured farther than they have.
-For most people, their $1300 mortgage is a big deal.
You face a $13,000 or $130,000 monthly payroll. You might as well be bench pressing 800 pounds for all they know. But you do it, month in, month out.
-You create a culture for your customers.
In fact your 1 job as CEO is to establish the culture. We talk about "Planet Perry" in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way but I'm dead serious about establishing an atmosphere that is markedly different from the world around you. You can do the same.
-Everyone else is brooding about problems, scandals and financial armageddon.
You shine your spotlight on what people CAN do, what IS possible, the ingenuity that solves our problems.
-Most people devalue human beings and parade the bad examples for all to see.
You can celebrate the good ones. "Do gooder" isn't an insult, it's a compliment.
-You create a culture for your employees and contractors.
You make them feel appreciated. You give 'em the gold star when they come through for you and the good feelings flow outward to their customers, co-workers and families.
-You know something that most people don't know.
There is ALWAYS a way to turn lead into gold. There is ALWAYS an under-valued resource sitting right under your nose, that solves a problem for a person who's standing right next to you, who will pay money for it.
-You know something else most people don't know.
Every second of every day, 10,000 people search the web and a whole bunch of 'em can't find what they're looking for. As long as that's true, there's an opportunity for you.
Stand up, square your shoulders, walk tall. Defy the norm. Challenge the status quo. The hinges of history turn on "ordinary" people who do just that.
Perry Marshall
