The Target on Our Back

We talk often internally about how our model for excellent coaching looks like a target. It’s a target that seems fitting to place squarely on your back if you dare to subscribe to it. After all, when you make a bold claim like “we’re developing world-class coaches” the next obvious thing out of an observer’s mouth might sound something like, “Prove it.”

From a standpoint that is neither a victim view nor a cop out, I’m here to tell you that we are, in fact, developing world-class coaches here and critics are both welcome and important. We’re also developing a world-class business organization and a host of other “world-class” experiences. The kicker is any critic that disagrees is always going to be partly right. After all, we aren’t done yet. At some point the value in leadership is in the willingness to seek perfection, fail, and continue steadfast as if such a thing is possible.

This is actually built into our model and every other model for excellence. You must: 

1. Get a clear vision of what the bullseye is,
2. vulnerably take a best-effort shot,
3. miss, and
4. calibrate to make a better effort on your next shot.

This is the process. We’re committed to it and, while there’s truth in that we don’t just hit the standard of a bullseye every shot, this process requires us to hold (responsibility for) the standard over and over again. The bad news? We aren’t a finished product. The good news? We’re always going to be evolving towards the bulls eye. Most won’t do the same.

 

Logan Gelbrich

@functionalcoach