The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday
A leader I coach mentioned that people seem disappointed when new problems keep showing up.
The reality is that yesterday’s success won’t answer today’s challenge.
It’s frustrating to think you graduate from new frustrations.
Destructive Success
Complacency turns yesterday’s trophy into today’s anchor.
Success whispers, “Relax. You earned it.”
Success isn’t ease; it’s new possibilities.
Leadership’s response to dangerous success is: “What’s next?”
3 Warnings
Unchallenged, success…
#1. Seduces leaders to trust what worked yesterday.
#2. Creates entitlement. People start believing they deserve ease.
#3. Tempts you to stop learning.
The rent on success comes due every morning.
3 Truths About Leadership
#1. Yesterday’s Win Builds a Platform
Past performance rewards you with new opportunities dressed in work boots.
#2. Teams Take Their Cues from Leaders
When leaders coast, teams slow down.
When leaders engage, teams lean in.
#3. Growth Demands Fresh Cultivation
The glory days become weeds when you water them.
Grow by doing what needs to be done next. Nostalgia is a lousy growth strategy.
Embrace an Uneasy Reality
Naïve leaders are shocked when problems return wearing new boots.
Expect struggle.
Difficulty kicks you in the pants every morning.
Don’t be stunned. Find your joy. Get busy.
- Show up fully.
- Learn continuously.
- Serve with vitality.
- Improve relentlessly.
Yesterday’s success provides a wonderful rest stop but a deadly parking lot.
Leadership isn’t for people seeking comfort. It’s for people determined to make a difference.
Today’s opportunities call for new resolve.
The Navy SEALs say: “The only easy day was yesterday.”
How can leaders stay positive when problems persist?
This post is inspired by: The Wisdom of the BullFrog (Chapter 5 in particular)
You might enjoy this post from 2019: The True Value of Persistent Problems and Nagging Distress
Staying positive during difficult times – Harvard Health
Wow! You nailed it, Dan! We had our monthly Pulse Meeting where the top tiers of our leadership discuss issues, challenges, accolades across departments. This week, however, we were talking about leadership and expectations. More specifically, what is expected of us as leaders.
I shared the link to your post with that group and encouraged them to subscribe. Keep ’em coming! Take care.
Jordan
Thank you for sharing, Jordan. It feels good to be useful.
Dan, I appreciate your last short list of pithy statements, like this one: “Leadership isn’t for people seeking comfort. It’s for people determined to make a difference.” Such a helpful reminder when I get tired, weary, and frustrated. If I’m not going to lead, to do the things expected of me, I should get out of the way.
Nobody wanting to climb the mountain stays at the base camp or stops too long at the advance camps. They push to the summit. In my spiritual pilgrimage I dare not stop along the way – I need to keep the end in view. Thanks for the reminders. Push on, or as is said about the judge Gideon, “exhausted yet pursuing”.
Thanks, Pete. It seems like keeping the end in view is necessary. At the beginning of the journey we can notice have far we’ve come. (Looking back). When we pass the half-way point, it’s useful to notice how far we have to go. (Looking forward).
I used to work for a company whose leadership accurately stated that “Change is constant” and leaders are encouraged to lead change by example. But…. @ what point do you let folks revel in their successes and regroup mentally from the constant stimulation of change? I feel like the people “Doing the work” are mentally” drained from the additional weight of so much change, the fear of losing their jobs to AI and corporate expense reductions. They are weary. As a leader, you can be energized by the change and attempt to impart that on your team but I am getting feedback that folks just want and need to breathe.
So true, Jodi. I wonder if it’s the difference between a rest stop and a parking lot. I’m glad you stopped in today.
If you’re adding benches and flower gardens to the parking lot to make it more attractive, then you are spending WAY too much time there. Stop, look around, take a few deep breaths (and perhaps drink some water). Then move on.