The Secret to Setting People up for Success

The right preparation can be the difference between success and failure.

Whether it’s in our day-to-day routines or tackling a new and daunting goal we want to achieve in life.

When we’re prepared, we just do better.

It’s that simple.

We feel more secure.

Our fears are reduced.

The more confident we are in our ability to succeed the more likely we are to try.

And this preparation can create greater trust in the people who help us reach those goals.

We know that they’re invested in our success and want us to do well.

That they’ll be there for us if we need a hand, a workaround or to support us in going for that heavier “lift”

This was the lesson I recently learned when I showed up for the monthly prep session at my new gym.

It’s a simple yet powerful concept.

Whether you’re just feeling a bit anxious (me) with a new move or want to master the task more readily, the staff does a session each month before the new round of lifts is introduced.

As I walked away from the experience, achy (my new normal :) and more confident, I couldn’t help but think, what if companies did the same for their people?

Organizational Tutors and the Fallacy of Going it Alone

Recently a friend told me her son was struggling with the math class he needed to graduate from university.

It’s not for lack of trying or intelligence. It’s just not where his natural ability lies.??

And at this point, he’s built up so much fear and resistance around it that it’ll be hard for him to pass without some help.

So, I asked her if he’d considered getting a tutor.

She said he didn’t want to…he felt he should be able to do it himself.

It’s part of the American myth (and I’m sure other places) that we should be able to do it all ourselves and that asking for help is a sign of weakness.

For various reasons, the US has evolved into a highly?individualistic ?culture.

But for many/most of us detrimental effects.

Asking for help is not a weakness.

It’s smart and efficient.

It can get you to your goal much more quickly, far less painful, and, who knows, you may even make a friend or two in the process.

Years ago, I was struggling in chemistry class.?Thankfully, my wise teacher suggested I work with another student to better understand the content and get my grades up.

Well, not only did my grades go up, I began to enjoy the work that had been the bane of my semester, and made some friends in the process.

My tutor, Emil, invited me to join his group of science-loving friends in their regular card game.

Learning Together = Greater Connection

Whether in work, school, or the gym, the more we're able to create supportive environments that allow people to master skills and connect with others, the better the outcomes will be.

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