“Throughout my athletic career, the overall goal was always to be a better athlete than I was at that moment – whether next week, next month or next year.  The improvement was the goal.  The medal was simply the ultimate reward for achieving that goal.”
Sebastian Coe, Middle-distance runner and two-time Olympic goal medal winner.  Drive, by Daniel Pink

Always better.  Now that’s a bodacious goal. Or is it? Sebastian Coe knew the importance of continuous improvement, of always challenge himself to be better – better than he was at that precise moment. Yes, sometimes the “better” took longer to achieve than at other times and yet Coe expected it to come, believed it would come and worked hard for it to come.

This  idea of “always better” has been on my mind lately, not only because I recently read Daniel Pink’s book, Drive, and thought about the degree to which I continually motivate and push myself to get better, personally and professionally, but also because I’ve heard this same theme expressed by a number of my clients.  They wonder how best to motivate their staff to constantly move forward in their effectiveness, even when the odds seem against them.

I think an attitude of “always better” is a result of clarity and honesty around what you really want, coupled with a strong determination and drive to move toward getting what you want, even when obstacles and challenges get in your way.  “Always better” is about maintaining an attitude of appreciation for every success along the way – big or small.   I think leaders are called to walk an attitude of “always better” as they look for ways to motivate others to join them on this journey.

What do you think about “always better”?

by Vicky Dearing, PCC
Coaching for Results Global