Yesterday, during OSU WSOC practice 105, I was blown away more than I’ve ever been in 22 plus years of BTL team practice. I’m not exaggerating. If you know me, you most likely know I don’t hand out compliments like candy. So, what blew me away?
A freshman knew exactly what I was thinking.
Did not see this coming. She solved a complex problem correctly. When lost in the woods, alone, there are two tools you must have to survive. That was the question. Compass and map is the answer. She nailed this. Few do. Then I asked the team to extrapolate to the comparable BTL tools for navigating life. She nailed this too. Got it exactly right. CORE & OPUS. And, she knew the elements that made up each. Rattled off the OPUS acrostic. Perfect. Knew the only overlap between the two BTL tools too. Purpose, btw.
I was amazed. Here’s the funny thing. I had planned to dumb it down. Was hoping someone would get the CORE piece and we were gonna go deeper there and leave it at that. I underestimated what this team is capable of doing. I was going too easy on them. Didn’t trust them enough. Not good, Chet. Talk about a rookie mistake. I should know better after all these years. Still a work in process. Still a long way to go for this dude. Fact.
Where, leader, are you not demanding enough from your team? Where are you under estimating what they can handle? Why do you give out answers more often than challenging questions? Every leader gets exactly the team they deserve. Yesterday I was most pleasantly surprised. My expectations just went up. Good.
Want a better team? Catch them doing something well. Give them courage to make it even better. Challenge them out of belief. Demand more from yourself. Make them do what they can. Love the work. Love the team. Train everyone. Pour into your few. Complex not complicated.
Live hard. Love harder…
P.S. Her name is Eva. Remember her name. You’ll likely be working for her someday. And, it will be sooner than you think! Surprised? Don’t be.
BUILT TO LEAD 
The “and” you didn’t include here is our newest BTL builder apprentice Chad (aka Durp) had just led the prior practice when you were out of town on your behalf, walking them through a primer of the BTL framework after he saw they were missing basic fundamentals.
Good reminder the best practices with the greatest teams are often just a rinse of the basics. Good reminder we coaches and leaders and builders have our own curse of knowledge. Good reminder to assume less.
Gu’d.