As humans we have a tendency to fall back on what we know or are comfortable with in times of difficulty. When times get tough, our true character shows. The same is true for businesses, especially social enterprises.

Just as a trip home to spend time with family can help to rejuvenate, refocus or reprioritize our lives, so too can businesses get a “jump start” from their fallback. What is that fallback for you and your business? Might it be a chat with your advisors? Maybe it’s a company meeting to dust off your mission statement and realign current projects.

But why do we need this? As business progresses, efforts can sometimes be more focused on the details than the bigger vision. Now don’t get me wrong, living in the details is a necessity for companies, but that’s where leaders come in to provide guidance and a sense of calming to ensure that we still are moving towards the greater vision.

Yet at times we may diverge from our values – this is not unusual. This is where our fallbacks come into play. They serve as a healthy reminder for who we are, why we’re doing this, and can sometimes provide a unique perspective to which we’ve become blinded.

Social enterprise is a real challenge due to the very nature of going against the grain of traditional capitalistic business. You might get swayed by profits in exchange for your values. Think back to why your started or joined your organization.

I challenge you to think about who your fallbacks are in your personal life as well as business. Maybe it’s time to reach back out to them if you are in need of a jump.

- Chris