When we think about it there is a finite number of top performers in every industry who only have so much bandwidth or shelf-life for that matter. So, how do we lock, reload, and replenish to where clients don’t have a negative experience with what could be construed as incompetence? Woody Allen was once famously quoted as saying that “80% of success is just showing up.” Competent people show up when they are expected. They are dependable. But highly competent people take things a step further by showing up ready to deliver their best every day. And it doesn’t matter how they feel, what’s going on in their lives, or how difficult the task is, they bring their A game day in and day out. 

Highly competent individuals don’t settle for second best because they are extremely competitive by nature and always looking for ways to keep learning, growing, and improving. These individuals don’t need external prodding or accolades to give it their all. They are self-driven and hold themselves to a higher standard. One of my least favorite things to do is manage people. I’ve even said to people who require an inordinate amount of managerial involvement, that if I need to manage you at this level, then we don’t need you around here. Competent people proficiently follow-thru on their tasks. Plain and simple. It’s inherent to who they are and how they operate. They don’t require someone like me to manage their commitments. In fact, the worst thing you can do with a competent person is to overly manage them.

Good enough is never good enough for highly competent individuals. Let’s face it, no manager appreciates the default position of, “Can you live with it?” No, I cannot live with it! Highly competent people always go the extra mile and will do whatever it takes to not only get the job done, but do it right, and oftentimes on the first run. It’s not enough for them to just make it through the day. They have an internal barometer that drives them to task completion, no matter what is going on around them. And in doing so, they inspire others to perform at a high level. A critical part of the lock and reload process is having junior and intermediate team members work alongside highly competent individuals. This allows you to fast track your juniors toward becoming intermediates and your intermediates toward senior team members. This is how the circle of life in terms of continually training your staff to become more competent, works.