Fifty, 150, 500? I can’t even count the number of highly successful entrepreneurs, sales professionals and executives who’ve told me, “I feel like a fraud,” or something similar — and all these talented people had a secret. Like one very powerful businessman, whom I’ll call Dan.
Dan was a public figure who use to enjoy speaking,
I first read this profound insight of Khalil Gibran in the book “The Profit” over three decades ago, and it changed my view of emotions. Emotions are a continuum; sorrow is the same emotion as joy, just on the opposite end of the continuum.
Not long ago, there was great sorrow in my family.
If you’re not a positive deviant in your field, consider studying those who are, and then becoming one. Positive deviants are courageous people whose attitudes, behaviors and strategies dramatically increase their success over others who are in identical environments with the same opportunities. Positive deviants aren’t constrained by conventional wisdom. In fact, they understand that conventional wisdom is often the problem. Here’s one of the most profound applications of using positive deviance to save tens of thousands of kids from starving:*
This is an advanced statistical phenomenon, and it’s important to understand if you want to be a high-performer. (I’ll bet you never guessed you could be a higher performer by using a statistical phenomenon!). It essentially says that if you’re significantly different from the group you’re around, you’ll tend to become more like the group over time. I took 12 credit hours of graduate school statistics and this is the only useful concept I learned!
Dr. North’s Creed …
Be present.
Tell the truth.
Play to win.
Don’t be attached to the outcome.
The last post focused on being present. This post focuses on the second part of my creed: Tell the truth.
As a consultant, coach and husband being truthful sometimes requires finesse (especially as a husband)! Take my experience with a CEO/founder whom I’ll call Bob. Bob was an old-school leader who hired my company to change his company’s management system from command-and-control to team-based. After three years of intense work, the new system was mostly a success and the company was growing, but Bob struggled with the new system and flunked a leadership assessment.
Elite performers including entrepreneurs, sales professionals and athletes all have an element of boldness, they’re gutsy, courageous in their thoughts and actions. For example, the destitute orphan, who didn’t even have a pair of shoes who promised himself and his brother, “I will become a world champion, move out of this country and never live in poverty again.” A bold statement for an impoverished, uneducated child. But he developed his raw talent and became a world champion in an endurance sport. He also attended college and has become a very successful businessman.
You too have genius in you … we all do, you must find it.
What bold thought or action might be genius in your life?
