Climb…

Ever noticed that the world is filled with mediocre teams?  Ever noticed how hard it is to receive good service from any company, anymore?  Ever noticed how few companies leave you wanting more?  

What is the name of the last company you enthusiastically recommended because of their outstanding work serving YOU?

The reason that there are NOT many great companies today, is simply because there is a shortage of great leaders.

TODAY.

The reason that there is such a shortage of great leaders today, is because success has come too easily. Think about that for a moment.  My  American generation has had no wars to test us, we’ve had no depressions to test us, we’ve had the chance of a lifetime and we’ve taken it…for granted that is. 

We’ve gotten soft.  

We want to build great families, great companies, great countries, without great sacrifice.  Actually most of us aren’t even motivated by building something great any longer.  Most, I’ve noticed, only are interested in building something BIG.  

Building something BIG so you can sell it for something BIGGER.  Along the way, we seem to lose interest in building great products and services for those pesky things we call customers.  Who knew.

We just want to get to the TOP.

We want to experience being on the mountain top without toiling and bushwacking our way up. We would prefer to drive our car to the top of Pikes Peak.  In fact, very soon the road up to Pikes Peak will even be paved.  Seems it was too tough for the average American to traverse the dirt road.  

Here’s some advice for all that are reading.  Want a better team?

Become a better leader.

Stop taking the easy way out.  Get busy getting better.  Look in the mirror and reframe what you see.  Stop complaining about the bad economy, collapsing rates, increased competition, price erosion, and a tough industry.  Start doing something about it.  

Resilient leaders do NOT take up residence in victimhood, they do what they can to influence whatever circumstance they are in, they see purpose in their PAIN, and they believe that they learn the most when the tests are the toughest.  They do NOT make excuses, they make themselves EXCELLENT.  They pursue this objective with whole hearts and mentally tough minds.  Not surprisingly, these leaders, attract the best team members.  You will too.

Stop driving others to take you to the top.

Start climbing and start helping those around you climb too.  You just might get stronger along the way, and who knows, maybe find that you enjoy climbing.

The reason there are so many mediocre teams is because you and I have had it too easy.  Challenge yourself.  Get out of your comfort zone. 

Climb.