Exploring Tenacity

At the launch of Fishing Creek Consulting I was informed by a good portion of my network on those attributes they saw as my strengths and those they believed I could benefit from expanding. The Word Cloud that emerged from that exercise is full of opportunities to explore. However, a list of attributes or traits without context are simply nouns without verbs or action. It is the unique combinations of them that create the leadership, drive and team potential of each individual. Let’s take a deep dive today into one of these.

Tenacity! First, it is a fun word to visualize. Pop it into Google images and you can certainly expect to see a fair share of athletic prowess, vistas conquered and nature pushing through extremes.

However, singular attributes standing on their own, without a surrounding chorus of supporting characteristics are often non-informative. Taken to an extreme tenacity can appear as stubbornness, resistance and singularity. However, a tenacious attitude coupled with purpose and plan leads to success much more often.

I am an indoor cyclist and an early adopter within the Peloton Community. They have some of the best cycling instructors in the world and lately I have found many of them leadership insight factories. During any sweat fest while my body is being tested my mind is activated as well. One of my favorite instructors, who coaches to motivate performance on the bike and off, often hits a strong cord for business leadership applications.

I AM | I CAN | I WILL | I DO - Christine D’Ercole – Peloton

Recently Christine was coaching that part of the ride where you are right there, ready to say “I give” and at that moment she asked us to consider our options.  When our goal was looking unachievable and every fiber of our being was saying “just quit now” she challenged us to ask ourselves, “what happens if I don’t stop?”  "Can you take time in this breathless moment to be openly curious about your options?  Is it possible to change cadence and/or resistance to coax out more, can you focus on breathing to improve output, has your form collapsed and shut off your oxygen?"

What struck me at that moment has crystallized into my understanding of tenacity as a business leader. Business tenacity is best achieved not by stubbornly continuing to push in the same way against obstacles but to be curious as to how these barriers inform our ability to “course correct”.  Am I tenacious enough to be able to see the multiple ways around barriers to achievement?  Can I be Agile in my approach to execution? Are there alternative paths for success other than what I set in motion at the beginning? Have I activated my team or my network for ideas and support? Can I still be determined to achieve and be sure enough of myself to see there may be different ways to the goal?

Leadership Tenacity is so much more than simply pushing harder. Tenacious Leaders recognize and anticipate obstacles, embrace curiosity, activate teamwork, unleash agility…all in the relentless pursuit of achievement. Fuel your tenacity with an action network and your goal achievement ratio will jump!