This One Question Will Unlock Your Potential And Make You Better At Everything You Do

A few years ago I had a big pitch come in for the delivery of an intranet for one of the largest companies in the UK. As the Head of Business Development for a small boutique digital agency in Leeds we found out that our competition were the big boys… 2 of the UK’s top 50 agencies and 1 in the top 5 globally. 

From that moment on I set the tone for the pitch. The beat the best in the world, we had to be like the best in the world, think like the best, act like the best and unlock that hidden 10% of potential that delivers the best results. I mobilised the team and we developed the pitch around that thinking.

“If XX Brand had the best Intranet in the world, what would it look like and how would we deliver it?”

That statement was the theme of the pitch from the word go, the team maxed out and did a fantastic job. From creativity, problem solving, innovation and delivery through to trust, quality and even adding in a very special touch to the pitch, writing each of the individual stakeholders a letter about how the platform would benefit them, we left nothing the chance and mixed expert power, sales power and “best in the world” thinking to deliver one of the best pitches that I’d ever seen.

We won the project vs some of the best in the world and it was one of the largest brands and projects the agency had ever been awarded.

Having the theme of Quality and Potential recently on my mind I thought back to this pitch and the power that it unlocked in the team.

Why can’t we go into every day like that? Why can’t we go into every pitch like that? Why can’t you go into every situation like that? Well… you can.

The one question that will unlock your potential and make you significantly better at everything you do is just that…

What would the best (Insert here) in the world do right now?

Examples: 

How would the best Marketer in the world plan this campaign?

How would the best Salesman in the world handle this call?

How would the best Account Director in the world win this pitch?

How would the best CEO in the world run this meeting?

How would the best Communicator in the world write this email?

How would the best Manager in the world give this feedback?

Create action:

Before you enter a situation, before you plan that project, before you do whatever you have planned in your day, just take 30 seconds, if you’re feeling generous give yourself a minute and think it through.

Do not limit yourself, think expansively and try new ideas and write them down, apply them to your work.

This approach also helps in more critical situations: 

• How would the best Salesperson in the world save this pitch?
• How would the best Account Director in the world save this client? 
• How would the best Manager in the world break this news? 
• How would the best CEO in the world turn this business around? 

Best in the world thinking:

You can approach any situation, problem or opportunity with “best in the world” thinking and when you do you’ll start seeing some great results. Slow down, give yourself the personal objective of delivering the highest quality in the room and be proud of the work that you do.

Thoughts for a Monday morning!

Have a great week

Joel Spence