Success can be defined in many ways, and what makes people successful differs depending on who you ask. Although there are numerous pieces that contribute to success in any field or organization, I believe it is authentic participation that is the deciding factor between average and excellence. People that are compliant tend to be going through the motions. They aren’t high achievers, but they also aren’t really low achieving either. This comfortable mediocrity will sap the positive culture out of any organization. In my opinion, at least if someone is blatantly defiant there is some passion there, some heart, which is something that can be steered in to positive momentum given the right mentoring.
Mediocrity is often masked under a veil of compliance. I think people learn that they can coast by being compliant. Being compliant gives the appearance of submission and quiet engagement. It isn’t disrespect, but just visible mediocrity. A certain book I’ve read says, “Since you are neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth.” Probably no one is putting you in their mouth and deciding your temperature. But I believe you are a part of an organization that is evaluating your work ethic and positive contribution. If you are not adding value, or participating, it can lead your organization to “spew you out”.
Authentic, true participation is the antithesis of compliance. People that are participating are engaged. It is the hungry individual. Not food hunger…but DRIVEN hunger. The kind of hunger that drives people to step outside themselves and reach for greatness. Something more than what they are now. It’s easier to lead a hungry person without skill, than it is to lead a skilled person without hunger. Skill can be acquired, lack of hunger has deeper issues, which is much harder to remedy.
For our organizations, people that choose to participate have skin in the game. They’re participants moving the culture in the right direction. A positive direction. Participants are contributors. They contribute themselves in a way that inspires. I believe we all have the ability to participate, but we have to choose to do so. When we participate, our organizations become better because of it. When we participate, we also give others the permission to do the same. This, in turn, creates a culture of participation that will lay the groundwork for organizational success.
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