Average Is Natural
It takes much work and energy to reach and sustain excellence. Dedication to excellence is against our natural being. As humans we are more suited to enjoy life, be average and stay among the masses. We know this by observing nature.
In laser physics, a powerful light is created when an electron releases excess energy (a photon) because it is unable to sustain a higher orbit. By releasing new found energy, an electron returns to its original orbit.
The electron will stay there indefinitely and without much effort until a new external stimulus occurs such as a new source of energy. The process begins again with an excited electron absorbing this new energy, rising to a higher orbit and, in time, releasing that energy and returning to its “comfort zone.”
It is absurd to think of electrons as “people” but people are electrons. Billions of electrons connected together with a magnetic attraction that defines our human presence. People are bundles of energy; stand near a person and feel the warmth.
Hence, we need to be stimulated in order to be innovative, creative and productive. Ignore people, but give them the basics of life and they are quite content to stay in the huddle of the masses or just be average.
Teachers are external sources of energy who stimulate students to reach new levels of energy. Unfortunately, not all students have access to dynamic classrooms. There’s not enough time or resources to create a learning environment for innovation and creativity that energizes students. It’s more efficient, money and time wise, to lecture, test and evaluate the methodology. It is a formula for average.
In the workplace, leaders are the source for energizing employees to be innovative and creative. Unfortunately too many employees do not have access to dynamic leaders who get them involved and energize their thinking. It is more efficient to give directions or plan a day’s work and have managers who oversee that effort. It is a formula for average.
It is our nature to take it easy and enjoy each day. If you plop people in front of a TV or video game console, they will spend the day being amused by these activities. Provide new video content to enjoy and you may never get them to leave the room. It is a formula for average.
To effect change, we need to energize people to attain new orbits. Everyone likes the thrill of new energy and it doesn’t have to be based in fear. Energize people by asking them to get involved and then teach them how. Even though it is impossible for people to sustain their new found energy, they will release new ideas, innovation and creativity that will stimulate others and keep the process going.
Here’s another lesson from physics: Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle basically states that the more you observe an object the less likely it will be seen in its original state. In essence, the mere action of observation changes the observed object. This is why leaders interact with people. When a person knows you are interested in them, they respond. We can energize people by paying attention to them. (Cautionary note: Heisenberg’s principle also states that if you only focus on one object the other object will atrophy creating an imbalance; hence take time to offer equal attention to everyone.)
So our choice is to either to take action to be a stimulus or allow people to regress to the mean. Given all the uncertainty in the world the one certainty is that people are not naturally attracted to achieving excellence.
GROWTH <> LEADERSHIP <> EXCELLENCE
© 2007 3 Minute Learning LLC
