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20 years ago I went on a study mission to Japan to learn about time-based approaches and quality improvement strategies. While there, I was introduced to a way of thinking about performance differences. Most of us compare ourselves to others. When we plot this on a normalized graph, a value of 1.0 represents the best of what the competitions are doing. Others fall below that. This approach misses the upside performance for the group. Perhaps the limit of performance is anywhere from 2x to 10x the best performance observed, or more. However most people see the best of the group as benchmark performance. What might it take to achieve that exceptional performance? Seth Godin has an idea.

In Understanding Local Max Seth describes the phenomenon of only being able to see the recent peak performance. For many of us that peak was followed by a steady slide. As time goes by, the peak looks less attainable or worse, an absolute limit. Seth claims that is hokum. By achieving one peak others become available to us, but only after we accept that lower perforce may come first. Only the courageous and determined among us plow on. Yet, a higher max is available to all.

Who knows what got into Seth to present this idea at this time! All I can say is, "Thank you!"

I have a suggestion for all of us doing projects. Adopt a disposition of patience and persistence coupled with confidence that what you are setting to accomplish is worthwhile and attainable. Engage your team in the worthwhileness of the endeavor and support them each step of the way. Each local max will become the passage point they need to reach the performance level needed to deliver on the promise of the project. This approach can make your projects exciting places to work. What could be better than that?

By the way, Seth's post generated tremendous commentary. So much that he followed the first post with a second one. You don't want to miss it!