It’s all too easy for us to get caught up in the political swirl and self-limiting behaviors that characterize the culture of many of our organizations.  It’s a mistake. We have to learn to fight the gravitational pull of malaise and mediocrity that pervades our teams, or we risk being part of the problem.

Overheard:

“But, this is how we’ve always done it.”

My response…tough crap…we’re doing it a new way. The old way no longer applies. (This is a common issue for operational approaches as well as for firms struggling to break-away from a past that offers no future.) Worst reason ever!

-Another common one: “Management has to give us the resources to be successful.”

My response….bull…YOU have to figure out how to secure the resources. You can start by executing and building operational credibility. Your ability to leverage the credibility gained by operating effectively is the admission ticket to pushing strategic investments. Of course, you’ve got to learn to weaponize strategic ideas….to turn them from slides and plans and “marketechture slides” into RGM…real green money.  Learn to sell your ideas and always back your ideas with actions and results.

And there’s the ever-popular: “No one else here focuses on that stuff, why should I?” in conjunction with, “I don’t have time.” I actually here these fairly frequently when talking to managers about what they are doing to develop the talent on their teams.

First, let me offer: “Aaargggghhhh!” OK, now that this one is out of the way, I don’t care if you are the lowest ranked supervisor in the lowest level of the organization most likely to resemble what Dante saw during his walk through the inferno, talent development is always your job! Every day.

The Bottom-Line for Now:

When you give up pushing the envelope on approaches, ideas and talent, you earn a gold-plated membership card to the club of, “I’m part of the problem.”   That’s one club you don’t want to claim membership in throughout your career.

Find an opportunity everyday to be someone building the future and fighting the gravitational pull of mediocrity and malaise. Now that’s a club to be a proud member of during your journey.

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Want More? Check out Art Petty’s latest book, Leadership Caffeine-Ideas to Energize Your Professional Development. Created for fast-moving and highly motivated professionals and leaders, Leadership Caffeine offers more than 80 short, idea-packed essays for the critical leadership and professional development situations in your life.

Join the many groups and management teams and meeting/conference organizers who have adopted Leadership Caffeine as a discussion and development tool. The collection makes a great gift for the newly promoted leader or for your team during the holidays.

About Art Petty:

Art Petty is a Leadership & Career Coach and Strategy Consultant, helping motivated professionals of all levels achieve their potential. In addition to working with highly motivated professionals, Art frequently works with project teams in pursuit of high performance. Contact Art via e-mail to discuss a coaching, workshop or speaking engagement or to inquire about being a guest on The Leadership Caffeine podcast.