Break it

“I’m known for being a coach who goes harder after winning. If it isn’t broken, break it. Because comfort is the death of teams.” – Emma Hayes

Comfort is the death of teams. You could also say comfort is the death of excellence. Great coaches, great leaders, get a little itchy when things get comfortable. If we’re sitting in comfort it means we’re not getting better. Growth is not comfortable. Doing hard things, reaching for excellence – not comfortable. When we’re winning and feeling good about ourselves? That’s the time to double down as a coach and demand more, challenge differently, move them off their comfortable spot. If it isn’t broken, break it. Get comfortable with playing hard and performing well when things are broken. When things are less than favorable. When you are tired, frustrated, annoyed, etc. Things will get hard again – great coaches and teams prepare for it before it arrives.

When we’ve lost and lost our way a bit ? That’s the time to pause for a moment as a leader. Not to panic, but to give a pat on the back, some reassurance. Catch your breath, remember who you are. Then come out roaring again. Don’t sit to stay comfortable, sit to prepare for the next advancement.

Great leaders care deeply. Deeply enough that they are willing to do unpopular things with the aim of bringing out greatness in their team – individually and collectively. Great leaders are not consumed with how good their team feels at the current moment, but rather in how great they are becoming.