Creating Value

There are two fundamental ways to go about our work. We can look at the market or our employers as something that value is extracted from, or a place where value is created. The default for most folks is value-extraction. The value creation paradigm works much better and is a lot more fun.

When my team shows up Monday they could do either. The tools, vehicles, customers waiting for us, and training all cost our company money and provides the opportunity for them to apply themselves. They can use their skills, strength and stamina to help make peoples homes or at least make homes nicer. Or, they could just try to earn a paycheck. The know that no matter what, if they work X amount of hours, I will write them a check for Y amount of money.

The problem with extracting value, is it sets up a game that isn't very fun. The employer is forced to devise ways to extract labor worth as much or more as the money the employee is extracting. It becomes an ugly tug of war for human effort.

When we adopt the mindset of creating value, everything gets lighter and fun. Giving feels good. Achieving feels good. Making customers light up is fun. Exceeding expectations is fun. Best of all, the money just rains in without having to pull and fight for it.

So, go forth and create some value! Use your mind, body, and all the information at your fingertips to do something for someone that makes their life better.