The Force is strong with you... Here's the final assignment!
To complete exercise 3: Read the article >> Consider your response >> Respond to the next email.
Congratulations, you've reached your goals. Now think about what's next. If Jedi Master Yoda coached for Team Work Excellence, he'd offer you this advice, "If today you suck not, suck tomorrow - you will."
10/17/2016
The stats say if your performance doesn’t suck today, it likely will tomorrow.
The stats say if your performance doesn’t suck today, it likely will tomorrow.
In the middle of a downturn, it's easy to blame the economic environment for our performance woes, and it's easier than you might think to unwittingly slip into the trap of fostering a culture of complacency.
Here are a few of points to consider.
When engagement is high, and performance remains low – complacency has set-in. When people have drunk this Kool-Aid, it becomes increasingly difficult for even the best leaders to bring positive change. Your success will work against you if you let it.
Here are a few of points to consider.
- In 2013 over 40% of businesses indicated complacency over performance was an issue, and this percentage is rising. In 2018 a similar study reported this having risen to 2/3 of all US employees.
- In 2014, Engagement was rising among the lowest performers, while falling among the best and brightest
- In 2018, despite low engagement and high complacency 80% of employees report thier attitudes are consistent with corporate values.
When engagement is high, and performance remains low – complacency has set-in. When people have drunk this Kool-Aid, it becomes increasingly difficult for even the best leaders to bring positive change. Your success will work against you if you let it.
Only by maintaining a factual, unbiased perspective can everyone see there is a problem. Teams must set meaningful targets and make those intensely personal for each person.
In a Yoda-esque statement, former CEO, and chairman of the board of Intel Corporation, Andy Grove said, “Success breeds complacency. Complacency breeds failure. Only the paranoid survive.” While I don't think you should be promoting paranoia in yourself or others, the best leaders do remain ever-vigilant.
In a Yoda-esque statement, former CEO, and chairman of the board of Intel Corporation, Andy Grove said, “Success breeds complacency. Complacency breeds failure. Only the paranoid survive.” While I don't think you should be promoting paranoia in yourself or others, the best leaders do remain ever-vigilant.
Success breeds complacency.
Complacency breeds failure.
Only the paranoid survive.
-Andy Grove, former CEO and Chairman, Intel
Complacency is the result of inaction by leadership, and not acting is a choice.
Do. Or do not. There is no try.
-Yoda, Jedi Master
As a leader, are you fostering complacency?
Low performers become complacent when they perceive they are succeeding at something. I consistently come across performance issues which are rooted in leadership not holding everyone to a “standard of success” based on the creation of real value.
The good news - it can be prevented and can be reversed.
Best,
Tim
The good news - it can be prevented and can be reversed.
Best,
Tim
To Complete Exercise 3,
Reflect on which is most true for you:
|
You and your team know what's next. Talking about change is music to the ears, and the pursuit of excellence is business as usual. Employees continuously offer innovative ideas to enable and advance your vision for the future. |
Teams enjoy the familiar. Mention of change inspires eye-rolling and groans around the table. Improvement is an extra effort and doesn't live in anyone's job description. New suggestions are met with "because that's how we have always done it." |
