Yesterday, I completed a client’s book club reading of “You Win In The Locker Room” co-written by NFL Coach Mike Smith and leadership author Jon Gordon. The final section of the book is an overview of various attributes or behaviors that contribute to team success, not specifically covered in “The 7 Cs to Build A Winning Team in Business, Sports, and Life.”
One paragraph, titled “Pressure, Not Stress” (p. 145), is important for team leaders to remember as we assign work, set expectations, and evaluate performance. There is a very fine line between applying pressure on our people and creating stress for them.
When we emphasize outcomes that our team cannot directly control, we add to their stress and that actually weakens performance. For example, “We better land that contract, or else.” If your team is not part of contract negotiations, this is not a fair demand to make of them.
However, we should put pressure on the effort and outcomes that are within their control, to push them toward great performance. In the case of a potential new contract, your team might be able to control the accuracy of reports that are provided, or the customer service delivered to callers, or how well a new website performs.
Apply pressure when it comes to your team’s effort, work ethic, knowledge of the playbook, preparation, process, and other things they can control such as the fundamentals and teamwork. -Jon Gordon
Consider your interactions with your team. When you set expectations, are you applying pressure toward excellence or adding to the stress that may break them down?
Read my September, 2015 review of “You Win The Locker Room” here.
The Tuesday Tidbit is the emerging leader’s weekly source for team building tips, leadership development content, creative ideas and general workplace inspiration. If you would like to offer a leadership book club, discuss individual coaching or a group workshop at your office, contact me here and let’s chat!
