Surrounded by Mediocrity

"Scott, I've begun to lose faith in the leadership team."

I received this text today from a good friend in reference to the leaders of his organization. He was frustrated with their initial planning for 2025, the fact that they weren't paying attention to key metrics that were already trending downward, and the mediocrity that they all operated with.

He's a high performer and a former business owner. Someone who doesn't handle being surrounded by people who don't work at his pace or level. It frustrates him, and I totally understand it.

So what happens when we're surrounded by people that we don't feel are running at the same rate or level as us?

We start questioning our own commitment.

When you're a high performer, operating at a level where every second counts, watching others coast can feel like a slap in the face. It's like running a marathon and realizing your team is out there casually strolling, snapping selfies, and wondering why you're sweating so hard. You start to wonder: "Am I the crazy one here? Or are they just not seeing what I see?" It’s not just frustrating; it’s downright demoralizing.

And here's the thing—they don’t?see what you see. Because they’re not wired like you. High performers have a unique drive and a restless energy to push the boundaries and achieve more. So, when leadership seems content with mediocrity, it feels like you're speaking two different languages. You’re shouting, “We need to sprint!” while they’re leisurely planning their next coffee break. It’s enough to make anyone lose faith, not just in the team but in the whole mission.

Losing faith in leadership is a natural response when the urgency you feel isn’t matched.

You start to wonder if all your hard work is even worth it. After all, why bust your ass going above and beyond when the people at the top don’t seem to care about the obvious warning signs? The downward-trending metrics, the half-baked plans for the next fiscal year—it all signals one thing: they’re okay with the status quo. And that makes you question if you should be too.

But here’s where the real danger kicks in: staying silent. If you don't voice your concerns, you end up internalizing them. You become resentful, and that resentment seeps into your performance. Suddenly, your passion turns into bitterness. And the work you once loved? It becomes a grind. That's the slippery slope, the descent from high performer to burned-out skeptic. It’s a road too many of us have been down, and it’s not pretty.

So, what do you do? How do you handle this frustration when you're surrounded by mediocrity? First, acknowledge it. Give yourself permission to be frustrated. You’re not overreacting. Your standards are high for a reason—they've got you where you are. But the next step is crucial: decide whether you're going to speak up or move on. And here's a pro tip: there's no room for half-measures. Either confront the issue head-on or start plotting your next move.

Speaking up isn't easy, especially when it feels like you're going against the current. But if you choose to stay silent, you're essentially signing up to be part of the mediocrity.

When you voice your concerns, you give the leadership team a chance to address them, to either step up or step aside. It forces a moment of clarity for everyone involved. Maybe they just don’t realize how far off course they are. Or maybe, just maybe, they'll show their true colors.

And if they don’t change? Then you have your answer. You’ve given them the chance to rise to your level, and they didn’t take it. That’s when you know it’s time to find an environment that matches your drive, your energy, and your standards. It's not about quitting; it's about knowing your worth and refusing to settle. Because high performers aren't meant to be benchwarmers in someone else's game. They're meant to lead the charge, even if that means finding a new team to run with.

by Scott Bond

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