As I listen to young founders, I find myself asking questions about their beginning. What is the story? What were you thinking, feeling, and doing? What pain point did you see with such clarity that it triggered something more? It was a repeated quest to hear their story firsthand – personal, intimate, and real.
As I listened, I discovered several passionate centers. These individuals wanted to share! Their intensity came through in passion, conviction, and belief. It was stunning to hear. I found myself asking the obvious; “have you ever thought about your story? It is the foundation for your vision. It sets the stage, invites the listener to join you, and then lays out a picture of the future.
When the truth of our hearts is shared with others, it is intense. When I hear this from a founder, several realities emerge.
Empathy and kindness to anyone in a similar situation. Their experience has been etched into their inner being and the result is a calling to help anyone in a similar situation. It is an automatic connection based on shared emotions and memories. Hopefully each will always remember how and why they felt the way they did in those moments.
A calling to do something about it. For some, there was an accidental discovery which s/he realized could be replicated. In the realization a response to the call was formed. The pivotal moment is hearing the call – many do not hear or ignore what they hear. The calling is an early outline of a vision for the future which is filled with the just cause for others.
Belief in one’s purpose, action, and desired outcome. Not everyone knew exactly what step came next, but they knew why. With each believer came a cause, recognized by some, often just beyond their vision with others. As a listener, the belief I experienced was tangible and authentic.
Imagine my first line as the founder of my live when God asked to hear my pitch; “Listen hard! Open your ears! Listen to my cries for mercy.” (Psalm 130.2).
