Yesterday, as we wrapped up practice 84, little opi opened her mouth to come clean. She told her entire team she’s frustrated with her inability to live out her opus. She was very clear with her lack of effort. She didn’t blame anyone but herself. She admitted she was the problem child holding her better half back. The room was kinda stunned in silence as we listened to her heartfelt admissions pouring out peacefully, coherently, and oh so honestly. After a handful of minutes and maybe a few more, she stopped. I allowed the room to remain silent and waited. Nothing came but more silence until I broke it with a rhetorical question of sorts.
“You done crying,” came out ccd from me and was greeted with gasps and glares from the room and a look of confusion from little opi. I then gave opi some information she could use. I told her to STOP crying to her teammates. High performance teams want to hear what you are going to do. Coming clean and crying, literally or figuratively, about your circumstance should be reserved for your counselor.
When you practice with your team, however, cry as much as you want, come clean completely if you want – just don’t STOP there. Do not simply cry about it. Instead, end your heartfelt communication with your new PA to clean up your mess and get on with it. And, finish with your question to the team asking if you’ve missed anything material. Wrap it up with your real resolve to get better.
You and I get better when we come clean and finish with some new PA. Sorry if this one hits you as harsh. The truth is there are too many systems crying about their results and too few using that same emotion to commit to real PA that makes them better. You choose. Your choices have consequences…
BUILT TO LEAD 