PRESSURE.

PRESSURE. Pressure reveals. In nature, pressure makes diamonds from coal. In engineering, ‘pressure tests’ are performed to ensure the safety, reliability, and leak tightness of mechanical systems. But pressure is also common to people, organizations and institutions. Pressure sometimes comes involuntarily from outside an organization or individual. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. explains that “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy [pressure].” In addition, wise leaders understand pressure is sometimes created voluntarily from within. In his seminal Letter From Birmingham Jail, King also observes that there is a type of “constructive nonviolent tension that is necessary for growth.” (MLK) So from a leadership perspective, system pressure, while uncomfortable, is really an opportunity, rather than a curse - because it shows us where we are (collectively) and, if used wisely, can lead to our (collective) progress. The difference between pressure that leads to organizational 'improvement' versus organizational 'implosion' - process. Wise leaders foster pressure using stretch goals and then enact collaborative processes that enable teams to proactively work through tension towards refinement, growth and increased productivity. #LeadThroughPressure