Expect the Best: Calling People Up, Instead of Calling Them Out

I once worked with a leader who had a ton of natural ability.

Really smart, quick with conversation, could help others move forward, and…

He was lazy.

No, he wasn’t “playing video games in his parents’ basement” lazy. He just turned on the laziness whenever he wanted to.

Was the CEO and the Board not looking? Time to turn the laziness on.

Was it a concern from the front-line staff about scheduling? “Eeh, I’ll look at the calendar when I have time.”

When I addressed this head-on, I focused on expecting the best.

I said:

“Tom, I know you’re a strong, talented leader. You’ve helped us so much, and you have a ton of potential. And, I don't believe you’re giving me, or your team, your very best.”

A look of confusion and anger crossed his face. He reacted immediately:

“What?? You just told me how great a job I'm doing! I work my tail off here, and now you're telling me I'm not working hard enough??”

I gave him a few moments to settle down, so the following words would land a bit deeper.

I said:

“Tom, I don't question your help and what you’ve done here. What I'm addressing is your capacity. Because you’re gifted and talented, I believe you have a whole other level to hit.

I believe that your very best looks different than everyone else’s. That you can't just skate by and turn your talent on and off whenever you feel like it.

I believe it's counter to who you are. Everyone has their own strengths, capacities, and abilities. What I'm challenging you to do, from here on out, is to look at what your very best is based on who you are and who you were made to be.

Are you ready to dig a bit deeper?”

With tears in his eyes, Tom nodded yes.

What I came to discover is that Tom had never been called up like that. He’d been called out, praised, manipulated, and he’d been promised things.

No one had taken the time to tell him the truth and help him really see how what he was doing and not doing impacted those around him. Tom went on to quickly become one of the best leaders we ever had.

His results and consistency improved, but what stood out the most was how he led moving forward.

He could confidently call others up, too, helping them expect the best from themselves and others, because he was choosing to do that for himself.

Many of the leaders and organizations change incredibly quickly once they embrace this outlook and framework, first for themselves, and then for their team.

Why?

Because all of us can always climb another mountain. We can always strive to improve and give our very best, even if it’s in an area where we’ve struggled.

When we have clear action steps to live out our vision and strive to give our best effort, the results take care of themselves.

Think of one team member who needs to be called up, not called out.

What’s one conversation you could start today?

Lead Boldly,

~ MW

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