Yesterday, during practice 30 with a strong team of five, we practiced giving feedback to help a teammate gain some organization. Four people gave one teammate the gift of their clarity. One teammate tickled the ivories like a banchee trying to capture every idea being sent his way. After a handful of minutes a magical insight was offered. I interrupted and asked the one to play back what he had just heard. He did a great job recalling much. He missed, however, the magic.
Remember, your brain can effectively hold one mess at a time. And, as C.S. Lewis said, “Putting first things first, doesn’t make second things less…”
Well meaning teammates will offer strong teammates twelve things to work on and they’ll all be fairly good things. Sadly, this kinda feedback will overwhelm even the best of us. Send less. Think more critically when asked to help. Offer one thing. STOP. Ask the receiver what they heard. Rinse and repeat until it’s squeaky clean.
Yesterday’s practice was all about reminders. There is nothing new at BTL. There is, however, much that has been forgotten. Our aim is timely reminders. The intersection of high performance, remember, is found at the corner of belief and ACTion. Guidance isn’t very helpful if, upon arrival at said corner, it tells you the next twelve turns to make.
Turn right here, I can handle.
Even when given the green light, send less. Even when you are facing a horder of bad habits, send less correction. Even when you’re invited in after all these years, send less. Send less, my well intentioned friend. Send less.
More will be received…
BUILT TO LEAD 