Do Hard Things

Do hard things. 

Often, when leadership abandons or dismisses non-negotiable standards, it is similar to teachers grading on a curve. Grading on a curve, or let’s call it leading and managing on a curve, is often mistaken for benevolence, an act of kindness or patience. It isn’t. It is not benevolent, it’s lazy. It is not kind; it is dismissive and disrespectful. It is not patient, it is tolerant (they are not the same).  

When employees (and people in general) are given the opportunity for honesty and are surveyed, 96% report that they are not living up to their full potential. Which is cool, because it means when you ask for more, they know they have more to give. 

If leaders had a moment of self-reflective honesty, would they report that leading and managing without non-negotiables (leading on a curve) is about the employee or about the leader? Is it rational to lead on a curve and expect it to improve the love with employee satisfaction, guest satisfaction, hospitality, morale, results, environment, or consistency? Of course, it is not. If leading on the curve is not about creating love for and from employees or guests, what is it about? Who is it about? 

Just as grading on the curve is frequently not about benefiting the student, but rather covering up for poor teaching or a failed system. Leading on the curve is not about benefiting the employee, but rather covering for not following systems or questionable leadership. It’s just easier to complain about “this generation, these kids, etc.” than to engage and execute with non-negotiables. No doubt, it really is hard to consistently lead with non-negotiables. It makes you train differently, approach relationships differently, and prompts you to question and adjust your style regularly. It makes you do hard things. The hard things that distinguish the 5’s from the 3 and 4’s. We cannot be 5’s, nor can we earn love from employees and guests without a willingness to do hard things. 

Do you know why most people avoid doing hard things? Because they are hard. Yep, it’s that simple. You know how many people who are unwilling to do hard things are great at what they do? Zero. 

Do you know who has done many hard things over the years? You! Let’s do one more hard thing– adjust our style and approach to utilize our systems and standards to create love for and from employees and guests.

Do the hard things – be great.