In my friend Jon Gordon’s most recent book, The Shark and the Goldfish , the hero of the story learns an important lesson:

Don’t Settle.

This lesson struck me as I read this book this week.  Don’t settle.  I thought about the parts of my life where I am settling. 

Beyond me though, I believe that most of us settle far to quickly or early.

We settle on:

  • productivity
  • results
  • happiness
  • health
  • goals

I could go on, of course, but you get the idea (feel free to add to the list in your own mind).

This is important to us as individuals, but it critical for us as leaders too.

Because as leaders we can’t settle, and we can help people not settle.  One of our opportunities as a leader is to help people move towards their potential, to get past their preconceived notions, to become who they are capable of being.

If you want to be a more effective leader, coach and mentor; don’t settle.  And don’t let those around you settle either.

Because you are worth it. And so are they.

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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