What if today’s organizations are designed to bring out our mediocrity? And to feed our demons?
The Apple TV series Ted Lasso — inspired by the real world work of John Wooden — hints at a different view.
Organizations, from major corporations to start ups (to families), build their value almost completely from the work of their heroes.
Far too often, however, organizations are trapped by a scarcity mentality that focuses heroic growth opportunities only around the top management and isolated development or sales teams. And makes everyone else, above all, easily replaceable when we wear out.
There is a better way. Wooden (and Lasso) viewed work as a canvas for learning life. With the right tools and philosophies, the best results come when we use work to help us become better versions of ourselves and we evolve work itself to be increasingly aligned with the journeys we are on.
We must feed the heroes to grow the heroes. In others. In ourselves.
Stay tuned.