Have you ever felt busy… but not clear on why you’re doing what you’re doing? I’ve been thinking about that lately.
Many small business owners have a mission, something that drives them, but our function… that’s a little harder to define. Honestly, it’s something I didn’t fully understand until I came across a perspective that made me press pause.
In a recent Entrepreneur article, Marcus Lemonis shared how his role has shifted. His recent work, the show “Fixer,” isn’t just about fixing businesses; it’s about preparing people to succeed without him.
That stuck with me:
His role is no longer just to fix, but to prepare others to succeed without him.
And it got me asking a deeper question:
What does that look like for me? What is my function?
What’s the Difference Between Tasks, Mission, and Function?
Here’s the simplest way I can explain it:
- Tasks are what fill your to-do list.
- Mission is the reason you get up in the morning.
- Function is how you help others thrive, in a way that only you can.
For a long time, I thought my role was about:
- building strategies
- running marketing plans
- managing campaigns
- creating content
- keeping up with platforms
But that’s just tasks. Important tasks, yes… but still tasks.
The Shift That Changed Everything
My mission has always been rooted in helping people improve their marketing so they can connect with the right people and move them to action.
But when I started asking myself, “What’s my function?” everything got clearer.
My function is to create clarity that equips people to move forward with confidence.
Not in the sense of handing off plans or checking boxes, but helping people discover the clarity they need to move forward with confidence.
- To help others see what they couldn’t see before.
- To help leaders simplify their message and confidently take the next step.
- To help teams align around what matters most so they can thrive, with or without me in the room.
At the core, you might say I’m a Clarity Catalyst.
Creating clarity isn’t about having all the answers or keeping people dependent on me. It’s about asking better questions, helping people discover what matters most, and equipping them to move forward long after our conversation is over.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
We’re stepping into a world where AI is moving fast, content is everywhere, and automation is only increasing.
And yet…
The more automated the world becomes, the more your humanity will matter.
Your voice. Your experience. Your perspective.
A client asked me recently what I think about AI.
My response was simple:
“AI will push us to become more human.”
Not less relevant, more intentional.
What Lemonis Got Right
The article mentioned that one of Lemonis’s shows didn’t land the way people expected. Why? Because people didn’t need him to renovate.
They needed someone who could speak truth, challenge their thinking, and prepare them for what’s next.
His wife said it best:
“Don’t do something everyone else can do. Do what only you can do.”
That’s function.
How Do You Discover Your Function?
Here are a few questions I’d encourage you to reflect on:
- Where do I bring the most value to others?
- What do people consistently come to me for?
- What kind of work actually energizes me?
- Am I operating outside of my function right now?
You don’t have to figure it all out today. Just begin the process of reflection.
I started leaning into this back in August of 2025, and even now, it’s becoming clearer with time. What I’ve noticed is that as my function becomes clearer, my direction does too. I naturally start refining and adjusting my approach.
Think About This:
When you get clear on your function, you stop chasing every trend, you start focusing on what actually matters and you lead with more confidence and less pressure.
Final Thought 🤔
Maybe the shift isn’t about doing more. Maybe it’s about getting clear on what only you can do, and building everything else around that.
That’s what I’ve been learning lately.
I’m curious, what are you seeing in your own role right now? What would you say your function is?
A Few Questions I’ve Been Asked About This
How do teams operate better when everyone knows their function?
When people understand their role, they stop competing and start contributing. It creates clarity across the team.
How do I know if I’m operating in my function?
Look for patterns. What do people come to you for? What work gives you energy instead of draining you?
Can function change over time?
It usually becomes clearer over time, not completely different. Experience refines how you live it out.
How do I align my team with their function?
Start with honest conversations. Pay attention to where people thrive, not just where they perform. I also use the Working Genius Assessment with our team and clients that I coach, as it helps me become more aware of what areas energize them and which areas frustrate them.
Why does this matter for culture and longevity?
Because clarity reduces burnout. When people know where they fit, they contribute with ownership and the business becomes stronger because of it.
Want clarity like this applied to your marketing?
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