“If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less.”
– Gen. Eric Shinseki, US Army Chief of Staff, quoted in The Speed of Trust; The One Thing That Changes Everything, by Stephen M.R. Covey
Moving from “character” to “competence,” Covey addresses performance, and the role it plays in trustworthiness.
He uses an acronym to bring the dimensions of competence and capabilities in to succinct context.
Talent
Attitudes
Skills
Knowledge
Style
Not just because it gives me an excuse to plug another of my favorite authors, Marcus Buckingham, this approach appeals to me because it leverages our individual strengths and uniqueness. It also calls on each of us to get better; to improve, to stretch and to grow.
The author cites one CEO that committed to, launched and executed a high-cost, comprehensive training initiative across an entire corporation. The CEO was asked, “What if you train everyone and they all leave?” His reply is priceless. “What if we don’t train them and they all stay?”
Covey suggests the following means of increasing – developing, if you will – our capabilities:
1) Run with your Strengths (and with your Purpose)
a. Another implied plug for Now, Discover Your Strengths, by Marcus Buckingham
2) Keep yourself relevant
3) Know where you’re going
It becomes quite important to know our strengths and purpose, lest we go off all willy-nilly, so we ought to engage not only self-reflection, but input from those who know us best as a means of setting a solid foundation. Then, it’s a matter of hard work – study, learning, trial-and-error and constant re-checking of the map and compass to keep us on course.
Assuming our character is good, this focus on competence elevates the game and makes us more trustworthy – and maybe even indispensable — to the people who count on us most – clients, leaders, family and friends.
The stuff of difference makers.
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