So, I want to ask you a simple question, “What do you make?”

Don’t be shy. You can tell me…

I know it’s not a question that we typically ask, or that we may even feel comfortable asking people – it’s a little bit rude isn’t it?

Well I think it’s time to change all of that. I think it’s time that we boldly declare to people what we make, and we are ready to tell people whenever or wherever they ask; or even when they don’t ask.

Here is what I am thinking: I am fairly certain that when you read the question, “What do you make?”, you automatically thought about money. How much money do I make? It is a standard means to measure our value, the level of responsibility we carry, how in demand we are and a variety of other things. How much money we make is a simple means of quantifying our significance or importance. However, I think it is a flawed means of doing so.

It’s time to think in terms of ‘qualification’, not solely ‘quantification’.

Think of what you “make” this way: What do you contribute? What are you adding to people’s lives, to society? What are you creating that contributes to the greater good? What are you doing that ensures people are better for having been “touched’ by you through your product or service offering – or how you lead and live?

Do you “make” a difference? And if so, what kind of difference do you “make”? Do you “make” things better? Do you “make” things worse? Do you “make” waves? Do you “make” trouble? Do you “make” people want to come to work? Do you “make” people want to do the best job they can? Do you “make” your staff and your customers’ lives better? Do you “make” sure that everyone in your care/leadership is respected, encouraged, affirmed, challenged, supported, and cared for? Do you “make” this world a better place?

It is far too simplistic and erroneous to measure what we “make” in dollars, and, therefore, to measure our value and worth monetarily. No, our true value and worth is found in the non-tangibles, those profoundly valuable aspects of life and work that are indeed difficult to calculate, yet are vastly more profitable as short and long term investments.

It’s time for a shift in thinking.

Perhaps as part of the process at your next staff salary review you could ask the employee who wants to address what they make, to come prepared to tell you what they make. Or at your next AGM you come prepared to clearly articulate what the company makes – without going into the numbers until later in the meeting. Why not sit down and take a good long look at yourself – do a self-review – and determine what you are really making? What is the nature of the contribution you are making to your organization and to the lives of those you lead.

The value of our lives is in the contribution we make, not in the money we take. As Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

Here is a simple yet profound definition of leadership: “Helping people be better.”

How do you help make people better at what they do and who they are? What are you giving? I am confident that as you focus on “giving” to others and how you help make them and their lives better, the “getting” part of the equation will follow suit.

So, what do you make? You can certainly make a difference in people’s lives if you choose to make a life and not simply make a living. Your value and worth is better calculated by the contribution you make than by the dollars you earn – and that’s as good as gold.