Help Ordinary People Do Extraordinary Things

A few months ago, my two friends walked on water... or so it seems in the photo above.

If you go to some motivational seminars, they'll get you to walk on hot coals.

Some programs for troubled youths get the kids to spend nights alone in the woods and come out happy about it.

We crave experiences that lift us above our day-to-day routines. Even better if these experiences rise above a jolt of adrenaline and result in a longstanding achievement.

If you talk to people who were early employees of a startup that eventually went public, most don't focus on the money they made. Instead, many speak longingly about the excitement of working on a team that seems to know no bounds.

So why do some companies focus so much on finding top talent?

Wouldn't it make more sense to hire decent, ordinary people and bring them together to achieve extraordinary things?

It's the best strategy of all.

Unfortunately, instead of inspiring their teams, many organizations patronize them.

"We are all in this together" usually means "you guys work for low to middling pay and a few of us will take all the credit and make most of the money."

"I can't thank you enough" usually means "I won't thank you in any tangible manner".

These organizations falsely believe that the guys (yes, usually they are guys) at the top are responsible for all their success. Everyone else is just a pawn.

If you believe this, you are an egotistical dolt.

The best talent is bringing out talent in other people.

In the long run, effort is more important than talent. Effort is a product of both internal and external motivation. The more an organization focuses on valuing individual contributions, the more motivated people will be to contribute.

The very best leaders combine ordinary people in extraordinary ways. By "leaders", I don't just mean male Fortune 500 CEOs. I also mean small business owners and teachers and swimming instructors and high school athletes and everyone else who has the instinct to say, "Come on, let's get something done."

When you bring out talent in others, you leverage your own talent. You multiply what you are capable of achieving. You recognize the value of collaboration.

Bruce Kasanoff writes and edits content for a wide range of entrepreneurs and executives.