Biggest Gap In The World

What is the biggest gap in the world?

It's like comparing a wave on an ocean to its mighty depth.  It is unseen, unrealized.  It is like comparing the 10% of the iceberg we see to the 90% below the water that we don't even realize is there.

What is it that allows for so much opportunity and is unseen and unrealized??

It is our potential!

William James, the father of modern psychology, stated that we are only half awake and that we use only a small portion of our abilities.  As I look back over the years I have seen thousands of individuals spread their wings, do things they didn't think they could do by expanding their comfort zone.  We all have things we are uncomfortable with whether it is managing people, delegating, selling, coaching for performance, speaking, presenting, dealing with difficult people, holding people accountable, and many other things that matter to us.  To grow again begins with admitting what the improvements are and having the courage to apply some fundamentals, and the discipline to practice them over and over again until we are effective and comfortable applying them. It helps to be under the guidance of a supporting coach who gives instant and relevant feedback; but if you are a disciplined 'do-it-yourselfer'...go for it.

At Chrysler I remember Lee Iaccoca always trying to expand his comfort zone from being a technical, smart engineer (he introduced the Mustang at Ford) to being a builder of people, a communicator.  This was not natural to him.  He became an icon.  He definitely tapped into his potential.

Warren Buffet recently said "the only diploma I have on the wall is my Dale Carnegie certificate."  It's because what he learned at Dale Carnegie gave him the ability to use his technical smarts and achieve the willing cooperation of his organization.  Being a people-focused leader did not come naturally to Warren Buffet.  It does now.  Technical and number driven people find it challenging to engage others in their ideas or knowledge, let alone get buy-in.

I also remember working with many leadership teams and their people who were instituting a change in their direction and they had to mobilize their troops to achieve it.  Here are some examples:

- Going from order- taking to being a sustaining resource for clients.

- From being a know-it-all engineer to truly partnering with clients.

- From autocratic-no involvement manufacturing structures to self directed, engaged, work teams.

- From indifference to genuine helpful service.

The transitions they went through were probably never seen as achieving more of their untapped potential; but, in reality, that's what it was.  Companies have all kinds of untapped possibilities.  It is amazing how wonderful our organizations and our lives are.  And we only tap into 10% or so of our potential.

How can we be disillusioned about how great we are today? You would think every business person is trying to wake up by examining what is needed to be better and to develop the structures, systems and/or behaviors required to grow again.

What happened in the 30's?  The depression spawned new visions and people with a hunger to make lives better and to achieve what appeared impossible at the time.  It could happen again.  Don't you just love the enthusiasm of the "want more" millennials?  They are educated, want meaning, love team challenge and above all, action.  They have been loved, hugged and told they are perfect.  Nothing is in their way.  You could say their orientation is all about possibilities.  Their attitude is great. 

Now they have to develop the savvy and skills, like any generation, in order to make their attitudes turn into results.  Are all the generations spoiled today?  Are we as good as we think we are?  Don't we think we have to change?  The millenials will probably drag all of those over 29 into possibility conversations. Then we'll drag them into reality conversations.  They are both good perspectives.  We can cower and hide because it is tough out there and be a laid- back, coasting under-achiever with no improvement goals, and reject new directions, changes and accountability. Or, we can say, "why can't we have that, be that, do that, and get busy putting in place all that's required, including higher level skills?"

It all depends on our willingness to see what we want in comparison to what it is now and determine the actions and skills that are required to make the transition. It is all up to us, whether you are 30 or 70. There is a lot more potential to realize.  Don't get bluffed out thinking it is too fast or complicated out there.  Your perspective will change as you improve yourself.

Actions:

- What is it that if it were possible, would improve your career, your team, your business?

- What behavior, attitude or skill do you need improvement in because you aren't comfortable or skilled enough?

- What learning, coaching or training are you going to engage in?

Come on everyone, accept the challenge of reaching more of your untapped potential.  Let's wake up and live - achieve and succeed!!  As my good buddy from Chicago, Don Adams says, "It is about turning potential into performance."