Deception #8 : Do Whatever It Takes

Most of us are taught to do whatever it takes to help the team win and that includes spending large amounts of time contributing our lesser talents and even our non-talents. In the above commercial, basketball star Carmelo Anthony communicates this idea while promoting his version of a new Michael Jordan (Nike) shoe, the M7. In the commercial Carmelo plays every position on the court. He is the coach, the janitor, the photographer, and is even in the broadcast booth as the announcer. If you want to see his explanation of the above video to get a little better understanding of what’s actually happening click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqwZWALNpKU

On occasion we do need to step up and do something that needs to get to get done even if it outside what we do best and enjoy most. I played high school baseball and during my sophomore year I actually started at 7 different positions including catcher, 3rd base, 1st base, 2nd base, shortstop, right field and left field. That year I played everything but pitcher and center field. I was the proverbial “utility player” who could contribute in a variety of positions. Honestly, I really loved that roll! In enjoyed the intellectual stimulation of learning the different positions. I also produced reasonably well with the bat and overall it was a fun year. At the awards banquet I was shocked when I received the coach’s award for my contributions.

I’ve owned a couple of businesses in the construction industry where I was the chief cook and bottle washer. I did everything at times. I can clean the toilets, wash dishes and vacuum at home. So what I’m about to say should never be an issue of pride. You can never believe that you are to good to perform a particular role.

There are occasions when you need to perform in an area that is not a strength. In a tough economy you may even have to as financial guru Dave Ramsey suggests, deliver a few pizzas. But the most successful team players stay committed to consistently offering up the best of themselves knowing that their talents will make the biggest contributions to the team’s winning on the athletic field or in the market place. This is fairly well understood in athletics but I am amazed at how poorly it’s understood in corporate America. Employees are routinely expected to perform in positions and roles they have absolutely no chance to excel in. The reason for this has a lot to do with the next deception we will discuss.

When a “Do Whatever It Takes” mindset means that you must regularly perform in areas that have little or nothing to do with your natural wiring, talent, and aptitude you need to make an adjustment. That adjustment may mean re-crafting your position, re-negotiating your role, and in some cases it may mean looking for another position in another company altogether.

The Gallup Organization and Strengths Strategist Marcus Buckingham have research that suggests about 8 out 10 workers don’t have the opportunity to do what they do best everyday. Of those 8 out of 10, Buckingham suggests that about 1/3 or the workers are in the ballpark of their strengths but they would be far more effective if they were doing a reduced subset of their current work. Another 1/3 would be far more effective if they had expanded duties around their current work. The remaining 1/3 would be far more effective in another role or position all together.

If you want to maximize your performance and your paycheck, if you want to maximize you success and your satisfaction, you must become a 20%er. You must craft and build and negotiate your tasks and roles so that they fit you succinctly. Only 10-20% of us do that.


Your Moment of Truth: The most selfless thing you can do is stay focused on consistently offering up your talents maximizing your contribution to the team, the organization, even the country.