A Message From Focused Care's CEO

Lori Strubbe, CEO

Contribution: The Fourth C of Lasting Performance

Years ago, I remember thinking how much easier things must be at the corporate level. I’d hear coworkers say, “They don’t see what we go through,” and I understood that feeling because I used to say it myself.

Now, having stepped into multiple roles as VP, COO and CEO, I’ve come to see things differently. Not because the challenges disappeared, but because the view changed. Contribution, I’ve learned, isn’t just about what’s visible, it’s about what’s shared.

It’s not just about what’s done on the floor or behind a desk. It’s about how we support each other, how we carry the mission forward together. Contribution is shared—it’s the quiet effort, the thoughtful decision, the extra mile taken without being asked.

When we recognize that every role adds value, we build a culture where contribution isn’t measured by visibility, but by impact.

The Weight Few See

What looks easy from the outside is often invisible to the crowd. From a financial standpoint, I know I must meet payroll every two weeks, come hell or high water. Margins are razor thin. When we fall short, it’s often me and my family who go without.

From an operational perspective, every decision I make can ripple across 10,000 people within 24 hours — for better or worse. Unless you’ve sat in that chair, it’s almost impossible to put that weight into perspective. The responsibility doesn’t end when the office closes. It follows you home, it interrupts your sleep, and it strains relationships with family and friends.

That is contribution too. The unseen sacrifice, the quiet stewardship, the accountability for things most people will never notice.

Respecting Every Perspective

And for what it’s worth, I know you have your own story — the burdens, responsibilities, and impacts of your role. I’ve walked the path from entry-level jobs to senior leadership, and I don’t discount any of those perspectives. Every job along the way taught me something about contribution: what it looks like on the front lines, in middle management, and now in ownership.

My hope is that when I miss the mark, you’ll pull me aside and share, rather than criticize from a distance. We all see only a slice of the whole picture, and contribution requires that we honor the slice others are carrying.

 

The Four C’s of Performance

That’s why I believe so strongly in the 4 C’s of performance: Competence, Congruence, Commitment, and Contribution.

• Competence gives you the skills to do your work well.

• Congruence keeps you aligned with your values and the organization’s mission.

• Commitment drives you to show up consistently, even when it’s hard.

• Contribution is the capstone — the outward expression of the first three in service to others.

Contribution shifts the question from “What’s in it for me?” to “What impact am I making?” It’s about leaving things better than you found them, whether that’s mentoring a colleague, improving a process, or making decisions that safeguard the future.

Stewardship as Leadership

For me, contribution is ultimately about stewardship — of people, culture, and outcomes. It’s not about entitlement or ease. It’s about carrying a responsibility that often goes unseen and uncelebrated but is essential for collective success.

It’s not the easiest seat to sit in, but it’s the one that matters most. And if we each embrace contribution, at whatever level we serve, we not only improve our own performance — we elevate everyone around us.

Your Turn

Think about your own role. Where do you see your competence, congruence, and commitment showing up? And more importantly — how are you making your contribution felt?

I’d love to hear your story. What does contribution look like from where you sit?

 

Read Full Message