Formidable – the powerful nuance of inspiring both fear and/or respect, simply, by being impressive.

The keyword is impressive, a subjective qualification. When top talent or peers begin to excel within or beyond the group, it is noticed by leadership as well as peers.?All may respond in 3 basic ways: positive, net neutral, or negative. Unfortunately, quite often, the behavior, mood, and disposition of the formidable individual come under scrutiny.

It is important to realize and recognize when the formidable individual is just “being” who they are and doing what they do ~ be it impressively. They find themselves on the receiving end of scrutiny as well as both negative and positive reactions. Many times the reactions and responses are unsolicited and may present in action, commentary, feedback (+ & -), praise, or complaint.

Since unrest resides in the negative, let’s focus on the grey area and dark side of Formidable (a state of being that can inspire fear). The mixed response to the formidable - in itself - can stir up disagreements, division, divisiveness, and more which exposes insecurity and the like. It is common to begin to compare or be compared. This is typically when negative emotions come into play by some form of action and is especially true if team expectations or culture changes as a result.? Should stack ranking be part of the team process, this is typically when negative behavior increases. The negative behaviors include but are not limited to accusations against the formidable, deflection, projection – any number of things outside of direct ownership, responsibility, and accountability for taking on fear from simply being in the presence of something impressive.

" The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason" ~ Thomas Paine

Teams that have a culture of growth, productivity, and gratitude have less struggle with the formidable.? Healthy competition is a tended garden, regularly and purposefully handling its fertilizer-producing seasonal harvest.? Unhealthy competition is a lower-producing garden with fertilizer building up in unproductive ways – creating obstacles while delaying and/or diminishing outcomes. Fertilizer happens and everyone is free to choose how to deal with it. Purposefully choosing to handle it for benefit is highly recommended over ignoring/mishandling it to a distasteful downfall or detriment which if unaddressed long enough becomes a repulsive environment.? What begins as a division with disagreements turns quickly into disputes which can evolve into conflict and if ignored, become chaos.

The takeaway:

• Realize, recognize, and regard the formidable ~ find ways to embrace what “is impressive” accordingly
• Scrutinize the negative side of formidable ~ from every angle and handle it productively
• Acknowledge the net neutral ~ it has a place and holds value in every system
• Celebrate & reinforce the positive ~ never underestimate the power of acknowledgment & gratitude

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special." ~ Nelson Mandela