Page 145 - ConvinceThemFlip

know the nature of your business
idea for what you specifically contribute at work can give
your professional life more direction and meaning.
Sometimes in the daily grind of things, we undervalue
our work. We focus on all that’s rote and routine and
unglamorous about our work, and lose sight of how we
connect to the big picture. But everyone on the planet has
an effect on how the world goes around. Ferret out and
recognize the value and significance of your contribution
and you’ll find it increasingly easier to connect with and
convince other people. Your work has value, no matter
how insignificant it may seem to you.
One of those who homed in on a personal big idea at
work is Pat Sullivan, who works for the export division
at the Department of Commerce in Ontario. Pat found
a phrase that sums up what he does and it makes him
proud; it also makes it easier to connect with people. Pat
told me, “When I articulated how I made a significant con-
tribution, things seemed to fall in place. Now I know why
I get out of bed in the morning.” Today, Pat feels like he’s
part of something bigger than himself. He is motivated—
not by a stick or a carrot, but by a sense of belonging. His
values are alive.
Before Pat found his big idea, he often found himself
almost apologizing for his department. He felt that no one
took him or his unit at Commerce seriously. It seemed
that few people in the business really understood what his
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