One thing that I am slowly starting to learn from my boss and mentor, Jonathan Kelly is the fact that there is no middle ground, and keeping the peace is not peaceful, or it accomplishes nothing. The Power of One is only as powerful as the opposition you are willing to incur. How does this apply to me as a business coach or my business coaching clients?
Bottom line, if they (they as in every person you encounter in any capacity) are not for you, they are against you. If they are not helping you reach your goals for your faith, family, finances, friendship and fun, they are against you simply because they are a distraction to your ultimate goal in each aspect of your life. For business owners, I see this happen with employees, even family at times, friends and even other business owners.
…there is no middle ground, and keeping the peace is not peaceful, or it accomplishes nothing.
Strength comes through struggle. Opposition and confrontation are always difficult at the moment, especially for soft hearts like myself. Yet without it, you are sacrificing yourself, and maybe even your family and your goals for people who are clearly against you. Additionally, no progress is made in your life or the lives of others if you are staying the same by keeping the peace.
Today I thought a lot about Revelation 3:15-16,
“15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth”
Again, if they aren’t for you, they are against you. Even God himself despises the middle ground. Where do business owners get this wrong? I have made a list of three observations I see from business coach clients weekly, if not daily.
- Everyone Gets a Vote
No. Just no. Powerful change cannot and will not be made when a committee is formed and everyone is hugging singing Kumbaya. Not only is this a complete waste of time, but you will never make everyone happen.
- A Peaceful Work Environment is Necessary
Yes, a peaceful work environment is great and that is ideally the ultimate goal. However, much confrontation and opposition must occur to create an environment that is peaceful because everyone follows the rules and follows the system. To my disbelief, MOST PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO FOLLOW THE RULES. I will never say I’m perfect. I am obviously far from it, but I’ve never felt the need to constantly break the rules. Apparently, most people do. Therefore, major confrontation (firing or disciplining) must occur to get to the ultimate goal of a team that flows well.
- I Can’t Be Too “Salesy” or People Will Get Mad
This one gets me, I mean really gets me. If you have ever said this to me, just know I present the opposition to you nicely the first time, and then if you continue down this incredibly wrong mentality, I will passionately explain to you that YOU ARE IN SALES AND WILL FOREVER BE IN SALES as an entrepreneur. Anybody who gets offended by a “sales pitch” is not for you, they are against you. Get them out and move on to the next lead sooner rather than later.
If you recognize this, or maybe a similar mentality in yourself, I encourage you to quickly find a mentor or a business coach. Find someone who has no problem telling you the truth even when you wish it wasn’t true. I am incredibly thankful to have two of the greatest teachers mentoring me on this concept, and millions of other concepts on a daily basis. Although this is contrary to everything I believed for the majority of my life, moving past those who are against you faster creates room in your life to accomplish your goals and make room for the people who belong in your circle.
