I was talking with a client the other day who was instructed by his boss to stop excelling at work because other people on his team are not able or willing to work at his level.
Essentially, his strong work ethic and going above and beyond for his clients made other team members “look bad” or feel they needed to keep up with him.
His boss told him he appreciates his passion, dedication, and loyalty to the organization, but others are not willing or incapable of working as hard as he is.
He was told, “Thinking of ways to ensure your customers are happy is not working for the other people doing the same job you are doing.”
He was told to work at the level of lesser contributors, so they didn’t feel bad.
This gives new meaning to the phrase “you’re only as good as your weakest link.”
In a round-about-way he was told, “please stop being you and stop raising the bar.”
Since when is matching the level of the weakest person on the team a good strategy?
Why is lowering the bar acceptable?
Clearly, it’s not, and clearly the wrong person is in this leadership role.
Pick your leaders wisely, they might be destroying your organization.
And, let those who excel shine a light on the team members who need to do better, or possibly be replaced.
It should never be the other way around.
Why would you want it to be the other way around?
