Happy Tuesday, Reader!

​

If there's one thing that's certain in business right now, it's uncertainty. The constant shifts in markets, policies, and global conditions can paralyze business leaders. But uncertainty doesn't have to knock us entirely off course, and we certainly don't need to live in a perpetual state of anxiety.

​

With the right alignment and tools, we can navigate these unpredictable waters with confidence and clarity.

​

(Interested in working with an expert business strategist to create navigation charts personalized for your business? Click here to chat with me about mid-year planning sessions.)

​

Last week, I shared the foundation of sustainable business growth—what I call the Alignment Trinity.

​

When we align our people, systems, and habits, we create the conditions for lasting success.

​

As a quick reminder:

​

• People must be aligned because business strategy fails without them.
  ​
• Clear systems provide direction that even aligned people need.
  ​
• Daily habits determine whether any long-term vision becomes reality.

​

​

Only when these three elements work in harmony can we create community, impact, and profits simultaneously.

​

Today, I want to focus on the "people" element of this trinity by introducing two powerful tools for connecting with your stakeholders. But first, let’s talk mindset.

​

Aligning your people for sustainable success requires knowing who your people are.

​

When small businesses compete head-to-head with corporate giants in marketing, they mostly lose. We’ve all seen the “mom-and-pop” stores pushed out by shareholder-backed big-box companies. Of course, many of these businesses are driven by keeping those shareholders happy.

​

Small businesses win by doing what their larger competitors cannot or will not: focusing on all stakeholders.

​

Your company's stakeholders include everyone with a vested interest in your business: employees, customers, owners, vendors, and their families. This group also includes the community where your business operates and whose resources you use.

​

Business is about people. Organizations that serve only shareholders will always struggle to take a sustainable approach to growth.

​

By aligning with your people—your entire community of stakeholders—you can start building a foundation that will sustain you through even the most tumultuous economic times.

​

​

People Alignment Tool #1: Heart-Focused Breathing

​

In our work with teams in conflict or high-anxiety groups, we often begin with this intentional pause. Based on HeartMath research and the work of long-time friend and colleague Stephanie Veraghen, this practice grounds you before tackling difficult conversations.

​

Right now, this pause is critical. We need to be deeply grounded to (as Stephanie would say) show up awesome for our people. Taking even 60 seconds to center yourself before a challenging conversation can transform the outcome.

​

People Alignment Tool #2: The "Which Means" Technique

​

This technique, often used in sales as “feature-benefit statements,” proves incredibly helpful when working with anxious team members or concerned contractors during uncertain times. Here's how it works:

​

1. Offer a solution, feature, or possible resolution: "Ms. Customer, we can help your marketing team save thousands on advertising with a more strategic approach to your digital marketing spend..."
   ​
2. Explain the benefit using a "which means" statement: "Which means you will save money to meet your new budget cuts without reworking your whole campaign strategy."

​

This might seem like a small connection, but explicitly expressing the likely outcome and what it means for them helps relieve anxiety and stress by closing the expectations loop. We often think benefits are obvious, but they're not—especially during high-anxiety times.

​

These Alignment Tools Combat Uncertainty at Every Level

​

Heart-focused breathing and the “which means” technique can be used for more than just closing a deal. They're powerful instruments for addressing that pervasive sense of uncertainty we’re all experiencing. Use them to realign your 2025 strategic plan to meet your people where they are.

​

Essentially, a working strategic plan functions like these two tactics at a company level. It provides a pause for grounding in uncertain times, followed by clarity about what we're doing next and the expected outcomes.

​

When communicated effectively, a people-aligned strategic plan helps create meaningful connections with all stakeholders and transforms paralyzing uncertainty into navigable challenges.

​

This approach gives everyone—from team members to customers—the confidence that while you can't control external circumstances, you can control how you respond to them together.

​

Are you ready to realign with a strategist who understands the value of a people-first business?

​

We are now booking our Summer Strategy Sessions for July & August. This unique 2-day intensive allows committed business leaders and their teams to pause and create an action plan for what comes next.

​

We’re offering both full- and half-day strategic sessions to help you realign for 2025’s current realities. Host them live at your office or at Awesome Inc., our new location in Lexington, KY.

​

Schedule a chat with me to learn more.

​

​

Until next time,

​

Renia C.

​

P.S. - If the summer doesn’t work for you, let’s look ahead to fall. Contact us about our Fall 2-Day Strategy Retreats. We’re booking now!

​
​

​

​

​​​​​