Growth Instigators Hotline
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Growth Instigators Hotline
#447 Hat. Representation.
A simple hat can change how you lead. We unpack how an everyday object transforms into a living promise: a cue for consistent behavior, a beacon for personal identity, and a surprisingly effective way to spark conversations that spread your message. You’ll hear how listeners use color, pride, and presence to become ambassadors without scripts—and why those small signals matter more than any single “perfect” meeting or one-off decision.
We break down the classic traction path—idea, website, cards, shirts, then hats—and show how wearables become mobile billboards that people actually want to champion. But the heart of the story is personal. Each time you put on a hat, you make a choice about what you represent. That choice invites accountability, because visibility turns intention into action. We connect that practice to reputation and legacy, explaining how repeated, public micro-actions build trust you can see and feel.
Along the way, we shift from brand awareness to meaning. We talk about questions that reset your day: What will people know me for? What does my leadership signal in how I walk, talk, and show up? The answers are not theoretical. They’re lived in small, repeatable moves that anyone can start today. Keep it light, have fun, and don’t overthink the look. The point isn’t the hat itself; it’s the behavior it prompts—real conversations, real follow-through, and a community that mirrors consistent values out in the world.
If this resonates, share it with a friend who’s building something, subscribe for the next part of our five-part series on hats and leadership, and leave a quick review to tell us what your hat represents. Your story might be the spark someone else needs.
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Welcome to message 447 of the Growth Instigators Hotline. I'm Aaron Havens, your host and growth coach. This week we are talking about hats. An everyday normal object that we can assign deeper meaning to, something that can remind us of a bigger truth. Welcome to part two of five. As we dive into leadership lessons, we can learn from a hat. Okay, I have one word representation. That's right. Multiple callers left messages yesterday talking about what they want when they represent and what they represent when they put their hats on. I'm humbled by Jared, who says he is proud to put on his growth instigator hat. I think he got a gold color one, if I remember right. Gold, white, or black are your three color options. And he puts that gold hat on and he tells everyone about the hotline when he wears it out in the public. Thank you, Jared. That's humbling. It's marketing 101. You get an idea, you buy a website, you print business cards and t-shirts, and when you're really getting traction, you buy hats to give away. People love hats. And people become brand ambassadors wherever they're at, whenever they put on your hat. Mobile billboards. Okay. Enough on brand awareness. Let's talk about you. What are you representing today? Next time you put on a hat, can you think what will people know me for? What is my leadership representing? How I walk and talk and live? What does that say about me? It's not about having a good team meeting or one good conversation or making one good leadership call. No. It's about consistency, nonstop, showing up and representing who and what you want to be and to be known for. Dare I say legacy? As you move about your day today, may hats remind you that this is your one and only life. Go for it. So yeah, go for it. Have fun. Don't overthink it. Rock it the way you know how, and the rest will fall into place. That, my friend, is how a common everyday object can instigate growth. Tune in tomorrow as we talk about the part three of five of what we can learn from hats. I'd like to hear some more of your observations. What growth lessons can you apply to hats? For those of you calling the Growth Instigators Hotline, I'd love to hear your thoughts after the beep, or you can send me a text. For those of you listening in on our podcast, visit growth instigators.com and send me your thoughts. Let's never see a hat the same.