“Success is when I add value to myself. Significance is when I add value to others.”
— John C. Maxwell
In a world obsessed with metrics, margins, and media attention, success is often reduced to numbers. But at V Formation Consulting, we believe leadership is about something deeper—moving from success to significance.
Success means developing your skills, expanding your influence, and achieving goals.
Significance is about transforming others investing your time, talent, and resources to help others rise.
“It’s not about how far you go. It’s about how many you bring with you.”
The Story of David: A Journey from Self to Service
David was a Silicon Valley CEO. His company was growing fast, investors were pouring in, and the media called him a rising star. But during an all-hands meeting, a junior engineer asked:
“What are we building this for and who are we building it for?”
The question stuck. Days later, David visited a mentor who had left the corporate world to lead a nonprofit for at-risk youth. The mentor told him:
“David, you’ve succeeded. Now it’s time to matter.”
That conversation changed everything. David redefined his company’s mission. He empowered his team, launched a mentorship program, and even stepped back as CEO to give others room to lead.
The result? His company didn’t stall it soared, powered by clarity, retention, and a deeper sense of purpose.
Real Leaders Who Chose Significance
This transformation mirrors the real life journeys of world class leaders:
Bob Chapman – Barry-Wehmiller
He turned manufacturing floors into human-centered workplaces, pioneering Truly Human Leadership that values people over pure profit.
Howard Schultz – Starbucks
He offered healthcare to part timers, education to baristas, and dignity through opportunity transforming a coffee shop into a culture of care.
David Green – Hobby Lobby
He built a billion-dollar brand on biblical values closing stores on Sundays, donating profits, and using business to uplift ministries and missions globally.
The V Formation: A Leadership Metaphor
In nature, birds fly in a V formation to reduce wind resistance and share strength.
The leader at the front breaks the wind, creating lift for those behind and when they tire, others rotate in.
That’s the leadership model we live by at V Formation:
• Align strategy with purpose
• Elevate people through service
• Accelerate growth through shared momentum
“Great leaders don’t just rise they lift others with them.”
We’re not here just to scale businesses.
We’re here to build movements that matter.
Live the Legacy
At V Formation Consulting, we help organizations scale with clarity, capital, and conviction.
But more importantly, we help leaders step into significant leadership one that doesn’t just build a name, but leaves a legacy.
“Success builds your name.
Significance builds your legacy.”
If you’re ready to soar with purpose, with people, and with impact let’s take flight together.
