“Do NOT exceed your known performance capabilities.”
Every experienced exercise fanatic knows that that message is nonsensical! The only way to grow is to exceed your known performance capabilities. Right? Push past your boundaries. Change your routine. Tough out just one more rep!
The same is true in business. But here's the rub. Instead of exceeding their known performance capabilities, most businesses structure themselves and operate to eliminate pain and therefore deaden themselves to the vital and constant need for change.
Posted March 10, 2005
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Tom is timely, thought provoking and all about the new brand vision packaged as a Seinfeld stand up. I went to school on his ideas.
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This is more than likely inspired by their insurance agency or lawyers, certainly not their coaches.
As you correctly indicate, athletic progress is made by pushing to the edge, and just beyond, in a controlled fashion so that the body can learn to perform at the new level. Without this push one is condemned to perform at the same level. With this push, one can gradually achieve performance levels previously only dreamed of.
Fear of failure will ensure that you don't excel!
Posted by: Steve S | March 10, 2005 at 08:51 PM
Hi Tom
Brilliant question - thanks for stretching my mind yet again my friend.
My wonderful partner Annie and I joined our local gym two months ago as part of our fitness campaign and I can tell you to achieve anything you simply have to push yourself.
The good news is - its working for both of us - but not without some pain.
I'm a 'baby boomer' - out of shape for a few years after playing football (soccer to you in the States) for many years but then easing off the exercise as middle age approached.
In two months I have lost 16 pounds but it has taken real effort!! - now 167 pounds and at my target weight.
The bottom line is I feel far more fit and certainly healthier.
That is the reward.
As regards applying all this to the world of orgnasiations?
I posted this wonderful Edward DeBono quote on my own blog http://simplicityitk.blogspot.com/
For me this says it all.
I have worked for bosses like this - maybe others have - how about you Tom?
De Bono says
"Most organisations pay lip service to innovation. That is very different from doing anything about it.
Executives do not really like new ideas at all.
Executives get to senior positions through managing continuity.
This means keeping things running as they are and solving problems as they arise.
Innovation means disruption.
Innovation means risk.
Innovation means new resource allocation.
That there might be rewards is of significance to the organisation but not to the individual executive.
Edward de Bono
20th March 2004
Posted by: Trevor Gay | March 11, 2005 at 12:25 PM