Challenges

I was recently reading an article about a tour guide named Chen Yu, who works at Taiwan’s Yushan National Park. When Chen asks his guests what they would like to see, they almost all say that they want go to the top of Yushan (Jade Mountain), which is the highest peak in Northeast Asia.

Chen loves the beauty and majesty of Yushan, but over the years he’s learned that the spectacular views from the top of Yushan are appreciated most by those that have experienced the deep gorges and valleys that lie far below the summit of Yushan. According to Chen, “to appreciate the height, you must experience the bottom. You can’t appreciate the end without understanding the process.”

What a great analogy for life. When we persevere through the challenging times, we grow. We cannot rise up out of the world, without undergoing uncomfortable, sometimes painful experiences.

In a recent conversation with one of our mangers, we discussed the struggles that his team was experiencing. This manager’s team, like many of the teams within our company, had experienced a very challenging year in 2009. Goals were not met, tough personnel changes had taken place, and the prospect of more challenges loomed on the horizon. During our conversation I brought up the example of American Idol. Most of you are probably familiar with this popular singing show, which has attracted millions of fans. Contestants who try out for American Idol are required to regularly sing on live TV, and then they are subjected to tough criticism and feedback from the show’s panel of three judges. One of the three judges, Simon Cowell, has become infamous for his candid, direct, and oftentimes blistering critiques of the show’s contestants.

If you watch the full season of American Idol, you will see a very interesting thing take place. As the contestants move through the process of performing and being judged, some of the singers go through an amazing transformation. These particular singers use the feedback and criticism they receive from the judges, and grow from it. They come back to their next performance improved, and with even more determination to succeed. They rise to challenge. The most interesting thing is that many times the singers who become the real stars of the show, did not start the season as the best singers. However, their passion and drive pushed them through the challenging times, and through this process they significantly raise their singing abilities. Through this process they become true singing stars.

How do we challenge ourselves at work?
Do we have the courage to give candid feedback to our team members and teammates?
What do we do with the feedback that we receive from our manager or teammates?
Do we grow from the criticism and feedback that we receive?

As we start off the new year, I challenge each of us to be more candid and direct. I also challenge each of us to learn and grow from the feedback we receive from our teammates.

I'd love to know your thoughts? tony@repowell.net


Tony

www.repowell.net