There are perfect games in baseball. Just check out Chicago White Sox player Mark Buehrle. There are perfect 10s in diving. Greg Louganis comes to mind. There are perfect routines in gymnastics. Remember Mary Lou Retton? Or Nadia Comaneci?
How many of us grew up hearing the old saying, “Practice makes perfect?”
All too often managers are looking for the perfect performance from their employees. There are few perfect 10s if any, in the business world. There is no such thing as a perfect game, dive or routine in the corporate world. And I disagree that practice makes perfect. In fact, I believe that practice makes progress. Progress towards the goals.
Progress is what managers today need to focus on, not perfection.
Think about where your employees are at today and where they could be tomorrow. Work with them to develop a plan that will get them there. Engage your employees in a conversation and focus on behaviors that will lead to success. As an employee begins to take steps towards their potential, celebrate their progress. Don’t wait for the employee to arrive at the set destination. Help them see how small efforts every day will get them closer to their goals. As you celebrate their progress also find out how and what the employee is doing that is allowing them to make that progress. This will continue their momentum and keep them focused.
In my experience, if you wait for perfection, you will be waiting a long time. Without celebrating the small wins, employees tend to give up and shift their focus. Changing or enhancing behavior is uncomfortable, kind of like exercising. Don’t wait to celebrate the win of going from working out for 10 minutes to 20 minutes to an hour. You can’t get to an hour without first making it to 20 minutes.
Realize that perfection in the workplace is a moving target. Making it that much more critical to build on small successes and focus on progress!
How will you focus on the progress your employees are making today?
Do you agree, disagree or just don’t give a rip? We would love to hear from you!
