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| Bob Schultek Author of The Gauntlet |
When a qualified person does the job – completing obligations and achieving assigned goals with expected behavior, we recognize this as acceptable performance.
But when a person contributes more than the common standard, more than what’s expected, that’s discretionary effort.
While it can be a bit rare, leaders realize that inspiring this additional energy from those they lead is what makes change possible. If leaders cannot drive productive change that improves results, then they cannot succeed.
So, discretionary effort is worth a great deal…for the leader and for those who contribute above expectation.
For the leader, offering the challenge of discretionary effort produces more than results. It helps identify top performers and advocates needed to implement change. It provides an opportunity to discover which of these high performing individuals can lead others. And, it validates the leader’s credibility and competency.
For the investors of extra effort, the challenge provides an opportunity – to make a strategic contribution to the organization’s future, to be exceptional, to breakthrough and be recognized. Extraordinary contribution creates careers.
