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standards and increased expectations, its critical we re-assess whether our current team members have the capacity to contribute or keep up with our plan. Assuming weve surrounded ourselves with people who are highly motivated and possess a boatload of integrity, the lack of capacity to grow (and change) with us may be the one thing that drives people out the door. As leaders, we have a duty to coach team members toward their fullest potential; if, however, they simply lack the ability to keep up, we have a moral obligation to ourselves and our high-performing team members to coach them out of the organization. By coaching them out, I mean we must (in a humane, supportive, dignified and respectful manner) set them free to seek other opportunities outside our organizations. I promise that in the long run, they will thank you for it, and youll be showing the high performers who remain that you respect them while remaining committed to the new vision.
5
Cut Out the Negative:
Assuming we have a clear vision for growth and have surrounded ourselves with team members and advisors who are bolder and brighter, theres one more step we may have to take. Unfortunately, sometimes those closest to
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Larry Broughton is a former U.S. Army Green Beret, best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker and leadership mentor. TheLarryBroughton.com
us are also the most vocal naysayers and offer the most negative flak about our dreams of growth. While theyre often well-meaning and just dont want to see us take too many risks and get hurt, continued negativity can be very draining to deal with. As the late great personal development guru Jim Rohn, often said, Youre the average of the five people you spend the most time with. As a result, we may have to limit contact with people who are actively trying to sabotage our success or prevent us from moving forward. It can be tough to doespecially if they are key team members, close family or friendsbut sometimes it just has to be done! With time we will become more discerning with whom we share our dreams and BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). I've learned I need to have more allies in this area than I have friends. Allies are meant to tell us the truth no matter how it hurts, while friends are meant to love and protect us. Personal and organizational growth can be downright painfulbut take heart, my friends; like building any muscle, increased health is waiting for us on the other side of the discomfort. Remember this: when we stop growing, we start dying.
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