I just love watching pros do their jobs. There is nothing quite like seeing talented people who have honed their abilities to the point of near perfection approach their craft with passion, commitment, and joy. It happens in all walks of life, be it on the playing field, in the boardroom, in the shop of a craftsman, or on stage. There’s just something about witnessing the best in the world do what they do! What brings this to mind is a combination of events which I recently had the opportunity to enjoy firsthand, particularly professional baseball, in which watching some of the players throw the ball is a work of art, but especially attending a national Broadway touring production. I’ve spent my entire life either on stage, back stage, or in the front of house, so I’ve seen a ton of theatre and I must say, there is nothing that compares to professional theatre. Nothing. Because people know what I do, I regularly get invited to every kind of theatre that’s out there: children’s productions that are “oh, so cute,” high school productions in which “you won’t believe how great these kids are,” community theatre that’s “better than (insert town)’s theatre troupe,” and dinner theatre that “does a really great job.” Honestly, as much as I have always supported arts education and encouraged people to participate (plus directing or producing over 400 amateur productions), the only theatre I truly enjoy is when I get to watch the pros.
Professionals in any field are a joy to watch because they have the right amount of natural talent combined with a tremendously high work ethic which manifests itself in an endless amount of practice, preparation and sacrifice of time, resources and emotion. Professionals always pay a price for being the best at what they do, so whenever you hear someone say, “I could do that,” don’t believe them! They may have some talent, but most likely, the difference isn’t talent as much as it is the willingness to pay the price. Achievement always, always, always has a price tag. That’s why not everyone achieves all that they could. Some will pay the price. Most will not. They may say, “I could do that,” but in reality, they never will.
It’s the same with leaders. Many have basic talent which will allow them to make a small leadership impact, and some will even achieve moderate success. However, the difference between a good leader and a great leader whose achievements reach the mind-blowing level can usually be attributed to the person’s willingness to do the extra work, learn harder lessons, study more, sleep less, focus on their needs before their wants, pay a higher attention to detail, stay engaged with their followers when it’s inconvenient, treat people with care, compassion and fairness, back up their talk with action, and so on. Professional leaders do the things which amateur leaders don’t, won’t and make excuses about. Do you know any “leaders” who always have a reason why they aren’t achieving? Always full of excuses for their organization not being all it could be? Or how about comparing their organization to other underachieving groups and explaining that their failures are no worse than the others? It’s sad when leaders explain away their own unwillingness to do the things that would turn their organization around. Sad indeed. Sad to the point of tragic, as people lose out on the blessings that accompany a great leader.
I hope you will join with me as a leader when I say I intend to be a pro. I will never settle for less than being the best whenever I have the ability to control the outcome. I will do the work. I will make the sacrifice. I will pay the price. No excuses.
Lead well.