What Is It That Only You Can Do?

Washington gives up his military command.

The other day I was reading the Harvard Business Review and came across an interesting interview with John Mackey, Co-CEO of Whole Foods Market.

In the interview, Mackey stated the he often asks himself the question, "What Is It That Only I Can Do?

Great question.

Because of his unique expertise, vision, perspective, position and talents, he identifies what it is in the organization that only HE can do to make progress and gets busy doing it.

Interestingly, when George Washington attended the Second Continental Congress in May of 1775, this very idea was also at work.

Washington had the prestige, military experience, charisma and military bearing of a military leader and was regarded as a patriot. 

Because of all these factors, leading the Continental Army was something only George Washington could do. And after his hard-fought victories on the battle field, only he could lead the nation as its first president.

Washington made history once again in 1783 when he ceded his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Army to the Congress. It was something only Washington could do--relinquish military power so as to send a clear message: the United States was to be led by civilians and not military dictators. 

Washington did what only he could do. How about you?

Given your unique gifts, talents, background, and experience, I can assure you that there's something that needs doing that only YOU can do.

Will you identify what that is and take it upon yourself to do it? You might just make a little history.

Happy President's Day!