Tag Archives: excellence

Leaders Need Washboard Abs

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I supposed it has a real name, but I call it the finishing work. It is the work at the end of a project that takes it from being pretty good to being very exceptional. In most cases it is the final 10-15% of the work that could be done, but doesn’t necessarily have to be done. Few people tend to like do finishing work, so it becomes the natural separator in almost every experience that you have. You will find it is the difference between restaurants, websites, athletes, leaders and relationships.

I want washboard abs.  Although I workout 6-7 days a week and have completed several marathons, triathlons and an ironman, I still do not have them. Why? Because I hate sit-ups and being a conscientious, healthy eater. These two items are finishing work. So, even though I workout really hard, I am still short of one of my goals. So, someday soon I will have to discipline myself to drink no beer and take the extra 15 minutes at the end of each work out to put in some sit-ups.
* And, no, these are not a requirement for leadership, but it got you to read the article.

How about you? Do you cheat excellence in areas of your leadership, home, work or personal life because of finishing work? It’s tough, but it is what it takes to move areas in your life from ‘good’ to ‘awesome’.

start competing

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Most days I posses an irrepressible competitive nature. So much so, that for the better part of a decade I ceased to compete in athletic endeavors, finding meaningless victories shallow compared with the carnage I left in my wake getting there. Along the way in life, I have found some great outlets for my driving nature, not the least of which have been efforts to improve the lives of others around me. To this very day, I struggle to understand the nature of those who just ‘show up’ for athletic activities, work or life rather than giving it their all. Through the wonderful temperance of my wife and the counsel of trusted friends, I have come to appreciate that I need to slow down, savor life and relax at key times. But I still maintain that in many environments there is a profound need to compete rather than just participate. To aim to finish in the top tier, not just finish. To do things very well, not being satisfied with just doing them.

Think about this for a moment. Why would anyone want to marry you if you stated at the alter, 

“I [fill in your sorry name] pledge to show up most days, but by-in-large I am not really going to give this relationship more than the minimal effort. If it becomes to much of a drain, I am going to hop out the first chance I get. Don’t expect too much and you won’t be disappointed. I won’t be the best mate out there, but hey, at least I am here and around.”

Sounds really lame… So why doesn’t it sound lame to some of you when this is how you literally are treating your family, your jobs, your dreams, and your giving to the non-profit whose mission you say you believe in? Hmm… I am not sure why it doesn’t register for you but I can tell you this much, you aren’t leading if you’re not competing. To compete, your DO NOT have to “win” at everything and prove to everyone that you are better.

By competing, what I mean for you to understand is, you need to be  leading, living, loving like these things REALLY matter to you. STOP just participating.