It’s a blow to the ego to think we know the truth – only to discover we’ve had a limited perspective. Like a prank or a bad joke we play on ourselves, we limit our progress because of a limiting paradigm we think is the truth. New information can change what we consider to be true – and often accelerate performance.
Here is a list of commonly uttered “truths,” the potential paradigm breaker, and a sample question that enables us to tap the greater potential that is always available:
1. “We don’t have enough time to do any training or people development.” (Paradigm breaker: The reason we don’t have enough time is because we haven’t done the necessary people development.) Ask: What can we do to integrate a greater ‘learn-as-we-go’ approach?
2. “I’m too tired to exercise.” (Paradigm breaker: The reason I’m tired is because I haven’t exercised.) Ask: What’s my strategy to create a new ‘default’ behavior when I’m physically tired?
3. “We won’t hit our targets until they become more responsible.” (Paradigm breaker: There is no “they.” There is only “we.”) Ask: What responsibility do we have in this situation?
4. “What they have to understand is…” (Paradigm breaker: We can’t mandate that people understand anything. Ownership of any idea is a personal activity.) Ask: What questions will we ask to co-discover a greater solution together?
5. “If we work hard enough and long enough our work load will lighten.” (Paradigm breaker: Working harder and longer doesn’t shorten the to-do list, it creates more opportunities.) Ask: What will we do to increase effectiveness and production while strengthening our “balance”?
What pranks in thinking have you observed yourself or others play? And most importantly, what’s the question that can be asked to break paradigms and move to greater action?
Share your comments below so other leaders can be inspired by your truths.
As I read through this recent Verus Global post I was reminded of my high school track coach. His only expectation seemed to be excellence! He would often allude to this when saying to individuals who gave their own respective versions of commonly used truths when dogging (half effort) it or being late for practice. He would say to us “excuses are tools of incompetence, which build monuments of nothingness, and those who use them seldom succeed at anything…” I’ve no idea of the quote origin beyond coach Griffins piercing rendition. Nevertheless, it speaks volumes and seems relevant here. Each among the aforementioned “commonly uttered truths” are nothing more and nothing less than excuses. At the end of the day above and beyond any circumstance it is “to thine own self one must be true.” This may very well be the essence of accountable leadership and solution based culture. Unfortunately, truth is not readily accepted as it may challenge the comfort zone of individuals whom, often with a wink and a nod, may have been chosen to be part of “the group” because he or she “fits in,” as apposed to what may be a more meaningful or substantive motivation-one who may through genuine truth and critical thought, challenge popular opinion. A practice which may thwart mediocrity and its bitter aftermath. Which leads to another and final quote I once read, again the origin unknown however somewhat relevant here. Moreover, “just because a path is worn thin doesn’t mean it is the right path to follow.” Think outside the box, be critical in thought processes, and above all to thine own self be true… Alternatively, be willing and ready to live with the consequence and aftermath of “commonly used truths”(excuses).
Johnny, I am always amazed at the brilliance of your comments and the passion of your heart! My favorite: Just because a path is worn thin doesn’t mean it is the right path to follow. s
I just had the good fortune of attending SBPT this week. It’s basically training for trainers. I learned so much but many messages from Pathways kept coming back in the week long journey. Here are a few:
“There is no such thing as muti-tasking” – go easy on yourself and pace yourself or you will burn out!
“Attitude is everything”
“Don’t judge others” – no Dofusing! You never know what frame of reference a person is coming from – get to know folks on a personal level
“Take time to meditate” – self-reflection is important for all leaders
“Habits are in the comfort zone, invite folks out of the comfort zone into the growth zone”
“Focus on things you can control”
“Change is part of life – go with it”
Now you might wonder why trainers need to know all this but my customer base is all the wonder sales reps we have at Nestle. There is no one more important and we have to treat them with respect and dignity and along the way – learn some stuff!
Yours in health,
Sabrina Copeland
Sabrina, It is clear to me why you have always been the leader of our team. YOU so understand these concepts and you deeply live these concepts. I’m glad YOU are training our reps! steve