I walk at a brisk pace, I don’t run at all and I feel “normal”. However, if Usain Bolt, well-known athlete better known as “the Jamaican lightning bolt”, were to compete with me for a remote and unlikely reason, I would continue happy and serene to walk at a brisk pace “what I can do and I do best”, and he he would be frustrated, disarmed and not at all challenged!
I often find myself dealing with this coaching issue with clients who “incessantly” complain about the inability of some members of their team to report. Complaints rise when coaching clients work in increasingly complex realities, international and multicultural contexts that require speed of thought, significant transversal skills and enormous, I repeat, enormous sense of RESPONSIBILITY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP and PRO-ACTIVITY on their part. which, of course, by the working groups.
I deliberately used Bolt’s image as it indicates the physiological distance between a runner who goes like a splinter, and “normal” people.
If the champions measure themselves against normal resources, who do their best to carry out their work using their talents, it goes without saying that the comparison does not hold up and they will be increasingly frustrated, angry and will feel enormously castrated by the impossibility of expressing one’s potential.
In fact, it happens that a high / very high potential champion, if he finds himself the ballast of inadequate teams, spends his hours buffering inefficiencies and incompetence of the team instead of contributing to company growth by bringing refined strategic thinking, new ideas and energy for a possible improvement change. , new business models and overwhelming and contaminating passion.
It is good to keep in mind that champions and talents want only one thing: to make a difference by leaving their mark. FULL STOP. We all want it a bit with the only difference that there is only one of Usain Bolt and its systemic impact is directly proportional to how much it manages to transfer, do, be.
What to do?
To the various budding or mature Usain BOLTs I suggest:
A) to become aware that if I am at the head of a BU, of a multinational company of 3/5000 or more people, if able entrepreneurs of an SME, or competent and requested professionals, it may not be accidental otherwise there would have been someone other in their place.
B) accept the diversity of each of us, support the people who make up the teams that report to them to evolve, improve and be proactive: just criticize them!
C) accept yourself: you have this gift and stop comparing yourself with those who like me maybe love to walk, I’m not a sportswoman but I can have other talents. Enhance the talents of others, your resources, colleagues and, often, your bosses too (or cut the rope if the bosses aren’t as good as you are)!
To the CEOs, entrepreneurs and HR Directors of companies:
A) Help the various Usain Bolts to learn how to manage team members: they run and struggle to see the normality of resources as they nurture within themselves the belief that we are “all the same”, and the others must also be good and as fast as they are. FALSE. The reporting resources will have other skills and must be brought out, valued, channeled in the best way for them and for the Company.
B) Immediately identify talents and champions. Young talents, if guided and contained in their exuberance and / or swagger, are able to positively contaminate and make their reports grow faster through the effective expression of their leadership. The indirect result is quickly reflected on the Company Business and on much, much, much more.
C) Invest energy and have patience with talents: the fruits are seen over time.
D) The various Usain Bolts are unaware of Who they are.
E) The various Usain Bolts are unaware of Who they are.
F) The various Usain Bolts are unaware of Who they are.
G) G as “guide”: they need a guide to manifest themselves in the world. Rely only on serious professionals who can make them more aware and accelerate their personal and professional performance.
To team members:
A) Do you have a good boss? Great: try to treasure how it behaves, emulate it and you will become just as good.
B) Do you have a good boss who acts as a stopper and prevents you from making a career? Great: look around and look for other opportunities and, if you are equally talented, you will be able to relocate quickly. Otherwise it plays against you to complain about the boss from morning to evening. If you are not in his place, and maybe you were longing for promotion and that position, you can digest that there is a reason.
C) A particularly talented boss expects support, entrepreneurial spirit and proactivity. Be proactive and knock on his door until you get tired. Never and I say NEVER, sit waiting to know what to do or not to do … especially with the Usain Bolt on duty who has already run the 100mt in a few hundredths of a second and you are still wondering if it is right or wrong to call him, send him a mail, ask for “permission” to do or not do who knows what, or if you disturb him (!!? !!). ACT fast and provide solutions!
To readers:
each of us has their own talents to enhance. Let’s remember to compare ourselves to ourselves and not to Usain Bolt who is unique. It is important to be aware of where we started from and where we have arrived today through commitment, study and work. We need to be aware of our personal growth and value it.
To you who inspired me: what a blessing to be constantly confronted…