Leading With Vision, Not Fear

One of the most powerful truths in business and life is this: you become what you think about most. This principle, articulated by Napoleon Hill, is not just symbolic — it’s practical. Leaders who dwell on challenges, setbacks, and competition often find themselves trapped in a reactive cycle. In contrast, those who direct their mental energy on where they want to go, with a focus on vision, opportunity, and growth, cultivate progress. The key isn’t ignoring problems—it’s approaching them with a solutions-first mindset.

Every scaling organization hits walls: team misalignment, cash flow pressure, changing market conditions. But the most successful entrepreneurs and CEOs don’t focus their mental energy on what’s broken. They keep their mind fixed - even in the face of challenges and setbacks - on what they are trying to achieve — a thriving culture, scalable systems, or a breakthrough product. This intentional focus shifts how they show up daily, make decisions, and communicate with their teams. Vision becomes contagious when it’s held consistently and authentically.

This doesn’t mean we avoid problems, competition, or even fear in an uncertain environment. It means we see them for what they are—temporary obstacles through which we have to navigate - with an eye on our vision and an unwavering commitment to our core values. By training ourselves and our leadership teams to focus on our desired future, we condition our organizations for problem-solving, collaboration, and growth. Scaling up isn’t just about building systems to grow; it’s about leading with vision, clear and frequent communication, disciplined execution, and consistent action toward what matters most.

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3 Key Scaling Up Questions

• What are we currently focusing on that might be holding us back rather than moving us forward?

• How clearly and consistently are we articulating our vision for the next 12-36 months to our team?

• What is the solution to our top constraint that will help move us forward?

Olympics Miracle on Ice - The power of coaches and leaders to set the stage

During my senior year of high school, my varsity soccer team made it to the state finals. I'll never forget our coach telling us that we had exceeded his expectations—even though we ultimately lost the deciding game.  That experience taught me about the power of a great coach and leader to create an environment where a team can perform at its full potential, and sometimes even beyond it. A prime example of this is the 1980 US Hockey team.

Actionable Leadership from an Olympic Coach

During the 1980 Winter Olympics, with the Cold War as a tense backdrop, the USA Men’s Hockey team was set to play the Soviet Union in the championship game for the gold medal. Herb Brooks, the USA Head Coach, didn't just prepare his team for a game—he inspired them to achieve the impossible.  Through the power of his pregame speech, Brooks created a space where the team could transcend expectations and reach greatness.

“Great moments are born from great opportunity. And that’s what you have here tonight, boys. That’s what you’ve earned here tonight. One game. If we played ‘em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It’s over.” — Herb Brooks, 1980 Olympic USA Men’s Hockey Coach

Herb set the stage for his team to believe in themselves and achieve the extraordinary by defeating the Soviet Union 4-3.. Similarly in the business world, the power of a leader to inspire their team cannot be underestimated.  Just as Brooks ignited a belief in his players, leaders in high-growth companies have the opportunity to create a culture where teams rise to the occasion, seize the moment, and exceed expectations.

Applicable Best Practices for CEOs and Leadership Teams

1. Acknowledge Reality but Inspire Possibility: Great coaches don’t shy away from the truth. They acknowledge the reality of the situation but frame it in a way that inspires hope and action.

2. Focus on the Team’s Strengths: Highlight what the team has accomplished and what they are capable of. This builds confidence and a sense of purpose.

3. Create a Sense of Urgency: Impart a sense of the unique opportunity at hand. Make it clear that the moment is special and worth giving everything for.

4. Positive Reinforcement: Use language that inspires and uplifts  rather than criticizes or diminishes. Even if the odds are against them, teams need to believe that they will succeed.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:

• Who are some of the most inspiring coaches you’ve had or witnessed?  What techniques did they use?

• How are you setting the stage for your leadership team to reach its full growth and impact potential?

• What other leadership lessons do you apply from your sports experience to your companies?

Unleash Your Team's Genius with the Working Genius Model

We all have natural gifts and when we better understand our unique strengths and frustrations, the transformation we see in our work and life is amazing. You may already be familiar with The Working Genius model, by Patrick Lencioni, and it is often one of the first assessments that I use with all my clients. It goes beyond just identifying your working geniuses or frustrations - it also helps you understand how they either fuel your energy and motivation or take away from it. By recognizing the specific types of work that bring you joy and excitement, you can harness that energy to achieve peak performance.

In its most simplistic form, the Working Genius model identifies six types of working genius or frustrations. Your geniuses fuel your energy and your frustrations take away from it. These are:

Wonder: This type of genius is skilled at asking questions and exploring new possibilities. They are curious and have a natural ability to see the bigger picture.

Invention: This genius is creative and innovative. They excel at generating new ideas and finding unique solutions to problems.

Discernment: This genius has a keen eye for detail and is skilled at making judgments and decisions. They can analyze information and weigh different options effectively.

Galvanizing: This genius is a natural leader who can rally others around a common goal or vision. They inspire and motivate their team members to achieve greatness.

Enablement: This genius is excellent at supporting others and helping them succeed. They provide the necessary resources, guidance, and encouragement for individuals or teams to thrive.

Tenacity: This genius possesses exceptional perseverance and determination. They have the ability to push through challenges and obstacles with unwavering resolve.

Why is understanding your working geniuses and frustrations so important? Individuals and teams are better equipped to focus on tasks and projects that align with their natural abilities, leading to:

Increased Productivity: When you understand your unique strengths, you can focus more on tasks that align with your areas of genius. This leads to increased energy and productivity as you are doing what you love and are naturally good at.

Improved Collaboration: By understanding the unique geniuses of each leadership team member, teams can benefit from improved trust and cohesion for more effective collaboration.

Enhanced Job Satisfaction: When you're able to work in your area of genius, job satisfaction naturally increases and you feel valued and successful.

Leadership Genius Gap Awareness: Being aware of the specific skills and strengths that are missing from your team is crucial for effective leadership. This awareness enables you to understand what qualities to prioritize when recruiting new members.

The Working Genius assessment offers a valuable tool for individuals and teams to maximize their potential. By understanding and leveraging their unique strengths, individuals can focus on tasks that align with their areas of genius, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. It allows teams to collaborate more effectively by recognizing and utilizing each team member's unique genius. The Working Genius assessment promotes a work environment where individuals and teams can thrive and succeed. 

Contact me if you are interested in learning more.