Most leaders try to avoid relationship tension at all costs. But creating the right amount of tension can drive performance and make great things happen.
Nice, Matt. I'm listening to Elon biography right now, and I was literally thinking the exact same thing: Elon, Jobs, Bezos, and Gates are all highly demanding, tons of tension (and mostly) assholes. If you listen to the blather out there about being a leader it's "you need to be nice, kind, loving"--I get it. These guys are not, and they're the one's changing the world.
I look at business like as a high-performing sports team. The coach isn't there to coddle you. Practice isn't optional. Giving less than 100% is not acceptable. You do something wrong, the coach chews your ass out. Why? Because he/she wants the best out of you, the best for the team, and the best for you, period.
We live in such a sensitive time, where people aren't willing to work in that type of environment. I think it's too bad. We need the tension. We need a little bit of an ass chewing. We need to have high expectations--not only from our "coach" but for ourselves. It seems we're resolved to make business as convenient and comfortable as possible--like that's the primary goal. It's disgusting, imo.
Anyway, great newsletter and I look forward to your book coming out!
Nice, Matt. I'm listening to Elon biography right now, and I was literally thinking the exact same thing: Elon, Jobs, Bezos, and Gates are all highly demanding, tons of tension (and mostly) assholes. If you listen to the blather out there about being a leader it's "you need to be nice, kind, loving"--I get it. These guys are not, and they're the one's changing the world.
I look at business like as a high-performing sports team. The coach isn't there to coddle you. Practice isn't optional. Giving less than 100% is not acceptable. You do something wrong, the coach chews your ass out. Why? Because he/she wants the best out of you, the best for the team, and the best for you, period.
We live in such a sensitive time, where people aren't willing to work in that type of environment. I think it's too bad. We need the tension. We need a little bit of an ass chewing. We need to have high expectations--not only from our "coach" but for ourselves. It seems we're resolved to make business as convenient and comfortable as possible--like that's the primary goal. It's disgusting, imo.
Anyway, great newsletter and I look forward to your book coming out!
Adam! I love this. Thank you so much for this comment. I'm glad the message resonates with you. Great points here. Thanks for reading.