LeaderShip Edge

July 2007 :: The Dip

"Quitting is better than coping because quitting frees you up to excel at something else."

- Author Seth Godin from his latest book "The Dip".

"Is it going to hurt?"

"Well, no, not really... but it's going to be tough. How badly do you want it?"

If you've never wanted anything more, then you're ready to go in.

Go in where?

Into the Dip.

The Dip is the quagmire of goo that prevents most people from getting to where they want to be. It's the moat, the canyon, the brick wall that stands in the way between you and greatness. Not everyone will make the journey through the Dip, fewer will actually complete it, but those who do will truly succeed.

The Fact is - mediocrity is just that, mediocre. In order to be truly great, your organization must endure some heavy lifting to get through - the dip.

The Problem is - many cases organizations have trouble painting a clear enough picture for their employees to see why all of the hardship would be worth it.

The Outcome is - that organizations fail to inspire their employees, to quit ineffective products and services, and truly reach their potential.

The Solution is - to develop a culture that attracts passionate people who are prepared to not only embrace change, but to create it. Yes, after years of being packed away in the closet, the "c" word is back, organizations have to change.

And you're not going to do it, your employees are. They need to do it for themselves. They need to muster up the courage, prepare for the long journey and dive headfirst into the Dip.

The truth is, on the other side, is where all of the great stuff happens.

Alternatives

You don't have to take the dip. There are alternatives. In fact, it's very likely that you've chosen one of the other paths without even knowing it. If you're not in the dip, author Seth Godin believes that you're on one of two other paths.

One of the two other paths is the Cul-de-sac. Yes, French for dead-end. This is actually the easiest path. Days go by, nothing changes, same old, same old. Although it's the easiest path, it's also the least fulfilling. You never experience the feeling of true completion, or at least the exhilaration of trying something you believe in.

The last path is the Cliff. You make a bad choice, stick to it, and work tirelessly - towards failure. It's like chopping down a tree while you're still in it. Sure the axe is making great progress, but eventually the tree is going over.. with you in it.

The key is to be smart about your decisions. Decide what you want, and go for it. Just be sure to ask around to make sure you're not up a tree.

Become a Quitter

Most of us, at one time or another, have told our parents that their choice of clothes is outdated. We've all stopped watching shows that fall out of favour. Why is it that this stops when we come to the office? Surely there's something your company produces, sells, or markets that isn't working any more. And you haven't told anyone that it's time to quit it.

Seth Godin agrees, winners do quit, quitters do win. Well, not everything, but true winners have a knack at quitting what doesn't work anymore, and devoting their newfound energy to finding something that does.

The Pursuit of Mastery

If nothing else, The Dip helps you achieve something rare - mastery.

By working hard - harder than anyone around you - you're likely to actually achieve greatness. The Dip is not for people who strive to be good; it is for people who are willing to invest time and energy into actually accomplishing something worth accomplishing. Once there, you (or your team, division, or organization) will truly stand above the others. The key is to actually dive into the Dip and persevere.

In Our Opinion

Getting Good at Quitting

Want it - Taking the Dip is hard, so whatever you're doing had better be worth it. If it isn't worth it, then you'd better take a pass on it. If what you're setting out to accomplish makes you proud, makes you smile, and gets your blood flowing - dive in.

Be choosy - You can't do everything. The Dip is about being a master of something - so you'd better quit all of the "noise" that will only serve to take away your concentration, energy, and focus.

Grow up - Don't be ashamed of quitting. Even if you thought it was the greatest idea when it started, there may come a time when you have to quit it. By admitting it's time to try something else, you will show those around you that it's ok to rethink the plan.

Learn fast - When you do end up quitting something, to pursue your one true passion, analyze your decision. Make sure you know why you moved on. Really assess whether or not you waited too long, or shouldn't have pursued it in the first place. That way you'll be less likely to divert yourself in the future.