Good Enough...Sucks

There is an odd reality to leadership. We talk about being world-class and using best practices and benchmarks to build our organizations to a level that should differentiate us from our competition.

Over time, the bureaucratic hassles and endless transactional work seems to creep into our worlds like an insidious disease. As we grow more comfortable in our roles, understand the cultures of our organizations, and appreciate how challenging the world can be, something happens.

Being good enough "suddenly" is acceptable.

Good Is Not Great
I was speaking with a colleague recently who was questioning whether or not the constant frustrations of pushing toward greatness was worth it. 

The real question was whether or not accepting good is okay sometimes, even when doing so gives you that nasty feeling in the pit of your stomach.

The answer? Hell, no!

Consider this scenario...three of your team members are having coffee and are discussing you. They talk about your style, your vision for leading the group forward, and your overall effectiveness. 

The consensus...you're good enough.

How does that feel?

Let me say it...good enough sucks.

Only One Option
So here's the catch...it is impossible to be great all the time. It's also impossible to be great most of the time. "Being great" is not what I'm talking about. Striving to be great is what matters most. When your leaders, your peers, and your team members see your unwavering commitment to greatness they will follow your lead.

It will happen by default. They will not want to be left behind, they won't want to look bad, and they most certainly will not want to disappoint you when they see the amount of energy you are putting out to try and achieve an unattainable goal.

Let me say it...that type of leadership does not suck at all. In fact, it's the only kind that matters.

How About You
When was the last time you used the phrase "good enough?" Please do me a favor...stop saying that.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.




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Guest Power Post from Jake Poore! - We MUST Take Action!

I am pleased to present Jake Poore, Founder and President of Integrated Loyalty Systems (ILS) as guest blogger.  In his nearly thirty years of work in customer service, Jake has consulted with more than 100 top companies and given hundreds of presentations on service excellence, leadership development and strategic planning. 

Prior to launching ILS, he spent 18 years with the Disney Company, ultimately serving as the driving force behind the development of the Disney Institute's consulting practice.  A nationally recognized and sought after speaker, Jake shares a brief insight on his advice for Human Resources leaders in today's business environment.

We MUST Take Action!

President Abraham Lincoln, an incredible communicator, was known during the Civil War to attend a church not far from the White House on Wednesday nights. The preacher, Dr. Gurley, allowed the President to sit in the pastor’s study with the door open to the chancel so he could listen to the sermon without having to interact with the crowd. 

One Wednesday evening as Lincoln and a companion walked back to the White House after the sermon, the President’s companion asked, “What did you think of tonight’s sermon?”

“Well,” Lincoln responded, “it was brilliantly conceived, biblical, relevant, and well presented.”

“So, it was a great sermon?”

“No,” Lincoln replied. “It failed. It failed because our leader did not ask us to do something great.”

Inspiring communicators always expect a lot from their listeners. CHALLENGE THEM TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY or NEW!

HOW ABOUT YOU


Jake reminds us that it's not enough for us to "just" do a good job.  If we are going to be a driving force in our organizations, we must challenge others to do great things! When was the last time you challenged your colleagues to be world-class?  What happened next?


I'd love to hear from you.


No Excuses.

pics courtesy of http://wecreateloyalty.com and http://sixdegreesoflincoln.com