Perhaps the most frustrating experience encountered is that of squandered potential.

When was the last time that you encountered squandered potential? Probably within the last few hours, if not the last few minutes.

It is the young person who wastes talent, the business opportunity missed by indecision, or the sports team that does not execute when it matters most. On the more mundane side, it is the meeting that failed to fully meet expectations, the deliverable that was mediocre, or the service that was not perfectly delivered.

Or think about it from the flip side. When in your life were you the most excited? Probably when potential was highest, at new beginnings; the first day of a new job, the beginning of a new relationship, or planning a vacation to a new location.

Chances are, your enthusiasm soared even higher on that rare occasion when the experience matched the potential. Why is it that complete achievement of potential is so rare? What can we do about it?

For the individual professional, squandered potential is inexcusable. However, for the leader, it is exponentially so. Leaders are in the unique position to not only individually attain full potential, but to lead entire teams of individuals to do the same. How do leaders go about closing this gap?

• Paint a picture of what is possible to generate enthusiasm for the end goal
• Continuously provide reminders of what the ultimate potential is
• Provide the resources required to achieve what is possible
• Identify and remove barriers to execution
• and many more

Are you up to the challenge? Will you commit to minding the gap between possibility and achievement? Let’s explore this together.

“A good leader is one who can tell another how to reach his or her potential; a great leader is one who can help another discover this potential for him or herself.”
-Bo Bennett