Everyday is NOT game day…

*Pursuing my passion/strength can be detrimental to the team.”

As I re-read my clients note to me this morning it hit me how slippery the slope of playing to our strengths. My client has taken a long, long time to learn this lesson. We’ve been working on transferring this kinda tension to teammates for four years.

He is actually a very quick learner.

You see, learning to lean into weakness makes no sense when you think everyday is game day. The business world is warped in this perspective. Business leaders have bought the lie – everyday is game day. The truth is every day is NOT game day. Every day is, in fact, everyday. Every day leaders choose to “act as a crutch,” as my client self described his default or pass the tension to the proper teammate. Learning to lean against the tendencies that led to your leadership is some kinda tough sledding. Most simply keep gravitating toward dominate skills and NEVER develop their weaker ones.

Everyday, virtuous leaders prepare the team for more tension. Everyday, virtuous leaders pass more tension to the team. Everyday, virtuous leaders teach the team. Virtuous leaders understand everyday is not game day. Everyday is everyday. And, everyday is an opportunity to learn, experiment, and get better at their chosen craft. Mastery is built this kinda way.

Masters do not simply play to their strengths. Masters understand their piece in the puzzle and the entire system inside and out. Masters, oftentimes, play to their own weakness for the learning, growth, and development of the team. Masters understand this is the only way to win the BIG games. Masters understand everyday is not a Major tournament. Remember, The Masters is next week, my friends. How exhausting would it be to think everyday was a major? How exhausting would it be to think everyday was The Final Four? How exhausting would it be to think everyday was GAME DAY?

Everyday is not game day, is it? Why do so many business leaders act as if it is? Why might you? Extrapolate and learn, my friend. Extrapolate and learn..