Recently I attended a client company’s staff lunch.
The CEO wanted me to meet one of the original employees in what is now a pretty large enterprise.
Over lunch, the CEO casually said, “John, tell Trevor your motorbike story.”
Turns out John was riding to work one morning when he hit a deer while going 100 kms/hr.
He woke up in the ditch with his leg by his head (he said that he knew that wasn’t good). He’d also broken 7 ribs and done other damage. He fumbled for his phone to make his first call.
Unfortunately, his arm didn’t work properly and he could barely see the numbers, (also something wrong with his eyes) but he was able to press the numbers with his nose to call – an ambulance? Nope. His wife? Also no.
His first call was to his work to let them know that HE WAS GOING TO BE LATE!
You see, he hadn’t been late before and he hated the thought of not showing up without letting someone know about it.
Should he have first called an ambulance? Sure. Of course. Is this crazy town style dedication? Absolutely.
On the other hand, if you worked on his crew and heard that story would you be as quick to show up late (or not at all) because your tummy hurt? I think it’s unlikely.
It just underscores the fact that the leader sets the bar and that your team doesn’t rise above the example you set.
If your attitude is locked in at a 10, people around you will be 9s and 8s.
If your attitude is a 6, people around you will be 3s and 4s.
What kind of standards are you setting for your team? Remember that they’ll never rise above your example.
Oh and… call the ambulance first.
Getting ahead is about getting started,
