The investment I made with Eric to coach one of my key managers has been well worth it.
A Nose for the Goal
One of the stars of my high school soccer team was a talented player, but not the most talented on the team. What made him so valuable was that he had an uncanny ability to score. He would take shots on goal from almost anywhere on the opponent’s side of the field. Not every shot scored, of course, but many of them were right on target. And with incredible frequency the ball would slip past the goaltender, leaving him empty-handed and confused.
In soccer, this scoring ability is called having a nose for the goal. He was not afraid to shoot, and he knew how to make his shots count.
Performance Principle: As we build our businesses, we must develop a nose for the goal. Specifically, we need both clarity and focus on those activities that:
1. Provide real value to our clients.
2. Result in new client relationships.
3. Provide us with learning that we can capitalize on.
4. Create consistently high levels of customer service.
5. Help us to enjoy our life in the midst of the above four!
Questions to consider:
- What is your goal this week? Don’t underestimate this one – you have to see the goal in order to put the ball in it.
- What are the steps you must take to put the ball in the net? Top scorers can tell you, in order, the steps they take to create results.
- How can you increase the number of good shots you are taking? Great scorers don’t wait for that one perfect shot. They take 10 to 20 good shots per game, knowing that at least one will go in.
