A Coaching Power Tool created by Cheria Subash
(Life/Executive Coaching, INDIA)
Background:
‘Good To Great’ is a very popular tool, in all areas of our lives. It is almost clichéd in corporate circles. Managers are not satisfied with being “just” good. ‘Good’ efforts are considered just ‘fine’, in terms of performance rating. If you are good, then you are doing what is expected minimum from the manager. If he goes beyond and comes up with something better or spectacular, the manager is considered ‘great’. So, the natural aspiration is to move from Good to Great as often as possible and try to be there, as long as possible. Easier said than done!
“Good to Great” by Jim Collins make this very popular among the managers, as he chronicled the story as to ‘why some companies make the leap… and others don’t’, based on a solid research, which is forte. Level 5 leadership was the key take-away for many of his ardent fans from corporate world and beyond. But, in this discussion, in the context of coaching journey, looking at a new perspective…
In a well-connected world, this is reflected in parenting too. It is presumed by every parent the child is automatically good. So the level to achieve is ‘greatness’. It is another matter in the process the child often misses out the joy of childhood! At greatness level, the child may be chasing ‘success’ the way the world understands today – not necessarily wholesome.
It is applicable in virtually every other area of activity. People aspire to move from good to great, at times not even pausing for a moment what it takes to move, or is it a desired level, ask if it is holistic.
Some of the key reasons for the recent credit crunch in developed economies are traced to greed and failure of institutions. When greatness is the sole goal, the importance of the road to the goal is often chosen best to individual/company interests. Not what is best for the society or community and beyond.. But then, “the path is as important as the destination”
Man is the smartest thing on earth. As such, he/she has the unlimited opportunity to move to higher levels of awareness and excellence.
My proposition is slightly different. Since we are already/almost at a ‘Good’ phase, the progress should be from Great to GOOD.
Definitions:
GOOD:
Origin: before 900; Middle English (adj., adv., and noun); Old English gōd (adj.); cognate with Dutch goed, German gut, Old Norse gōthr, Gothic goths
adjective, bet·ter, best.
- morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious: a good man.
- satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree: a good teacher; good health.
- of high quality; excellent.
- right; proper; fit: It is good that you are here. His credentials are good.
noun
- profit or advantage; worth; benefit: What good will that do? We shall work for the common good.
- excellence or merit; kindness: to do good.
- moral righteousness; virtue: to be a power for good.
GREAT:
Origin:
before 900; Middle English greet, Old English grēat; cognate with Dutch groot, German gross
adjective
- unusually or comparatively large in size or dimensions: A great fire destroyed nearly half the city.
- large in number; numerous: Great hordes of tourists descend on Europe each summer.
- unusual or considerable in degree, power, intensity, etc.: great pain.
noun
- a person who has achieved importance or distinction in a field: She is one of the theater's greats.
- great persons, collectively: England's literary great.
A close look at the definitions throw a new light!
For me ‘great’ is short term and ‘good’ is long term. As the author points out, ‘great’ is limited to specific activities / focus areas and ‘good’ is wholesome. To me ‘being good’ will take us closer to the purpose, than being ‘great’. Thanks for the ‘good’ article.