Leadership Isn't For Cowards: How to Drive Performance by Challenging People and Confronting Problems

Chapter 24

Are You about Effort or Achievement?

No section on acknowledging progress would be complete without a thorough look at excellence. There is no excuse for mediocrity. The world is full of people and organizations that are willing to settle, but courageous leaders are not. While it is nice to see the efforts people make and important to acknowledge progress, there should be no doubt in your organization that achievement is essential. To allow the people you influence to make valiant attempts to reach their goals but still fall short is unfair and weak. A relentless commitment to achievement at the highest level is a bold and courageous move that will make the progress you acknowledge that much more meaningful.

While acknowledgment of progress is certainly an important and vital part of driving performance, it is not all there is to it. People will not achieve just because you encourage and motivate them. Somebody must drive performance. Somebody must plant the flag on the hill and refuse to accept anything but success.

One day, I had just finished a training session for a group of leaders. I was very familiar with this group, as I had worked with them many times. I had a sense of the culture and how it worked. There was little doubt in my mind that all of the leaders in that room were talented and committed. They were held accountable and their performance expectations were clear. They were expected to accomplish their business goals, as well as to continue their personal ...