One of my favorite Bono quotes is “you are only as good as the arguments you get.” Another favorite of mine is also the Kansas University basketball coach, Bill Self’s, favorite. This one is from Emerson.
“Our chief want in life is someone who will make us do what we can.”
In other words we need people to challenge us if we are to become who we’re capable of becoming. As leaders,then, why do so many spend so much time with their poor performers? Wouldn’t a better use of time be spent looking to our top performers for a better argument, a stiffer challenge, a new idea, and the like?
Yesterday, I challenged the team of 20 + to challenge their top performers and to challenge the head of their system. Yesterday, I pushed a few of them out of their comfort zone and into the challenge zone. A few might have even tasted the panic zone.
Your high performance resides on the hairy edge between challenge and panic. You cannot continue to build strength without pushing yourself beyond what you can currently accomplish.
Today, the 3PP, had a new leader. A guy named Pete took the reins for the first time and led a team of 8 crazies through 30 minutes of pain. He pushed people that are stronger than he is. He was uncomfortable and got moreso, not less as he pushed beyond what he thought he could perform. Today, he got stronger.
What are you doing to push your leaders? What are you doing to get stronger people to push you? What challenge are you afraid of? What challenge are you afraid of giving to your team? Why are you focused on pushing folks that don’t want to push themselves?
Why, Why, Why?
The answer is always 3-5 layers down. Keep pushing…
BUILT TO LEAD 