Is Good... Enough?

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.

– T.S. Eliot.

A core aspect of leadership is about pushing yourself and your team to the edge, testing your limits, then pushing a little further. It's gritty, it's hard, and sometimes, it's outright uncomfortable. It's also where growth happens.

As a leader, it's your job to set high standards. David Goggins, a retired Navy SEAL and world-class endurance athlete, calls this "callusing your mind." Like developing calluses on your hands from repeated friction and pressure, pushing your team beyond their limits helps them develop a mental toughness that prepares them for future challenges.

But with that comes responsibility. Pushing your team too far without the right preparation can lead to burnout and failure. Focus on building them up, developing their endurance, resilience, and resolve step by step.

Every member of your team has more potential than they realize. Your challenge is to help them tap into it. Set high expectations and challenging standards, then providing the support your team needs to meet them.

Listen to their concerns, but don't let them settle for less than their best. Encourage them to aim higher, work harder, and dig deeper. Show them, through your own example, that boundaries are often self-imposed and can be pushed.

You must also recognize that pushing limits doesn't mean ignoring signs of distress or exhaustion. Just as Goggins advocates for the importance of recovery and rest in physical training, the same applies to mental and emotional work. Know when to press forward and when to pull back.

Your role is to serve as a catalyst for your team's growth, not a roadblock. By fostering an environment that encourages risk-taking, tenacity, and relentless forward motion, you will not only meet your project goals but also help your team unlock new levels of performance and potential.

Leadership isn't a sprint; it's a grueling ultramarathon. There will be hills, hurdles, and setbacks. There will be days when you question whether pushing so hard was worth it. But on the other side of those limits is a stronger, more resilient team.

In the end, the measure of a leader is not how far they themselves can go, but how far they can inspire others to go.