On Saturday, November 25, 2023, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s talented (but defensively challenged) right back, scored a brilliant goal against fierce rivals Manchester City.
He immediately ran over to the City fans, who had been harassing him all day, and shushed them.
The fans, powerless to change the score, responded as expected.
You’re not a professional athlete.
You don’t have thousands of people surrounding you while you do your job, disparaging you, hoping you fail, laughing and cheering when you do.
But you do have the inner critics.
The voices in your head telling you:
“You can’t land that killer project with that great client; they don’t want to work with you.”
“You’re not man enough to have that tough conversation with the mean Superintendent, and if you do, you’ll probably botch it.”
“You’ll never resolve that change order and get paid for your work. You always give in and hope to get it back on the next one.”
You’re not a professional athlete, but you can learn from them.
They focus on what they control, keep working on their craft, push through the criticism, and perform in high-pressure situations.
For you, smart preparation and consistent, courageous action are the ways to victory.
This week, instead of giving in to the inner voices of doubt and discouragement, prepare well for the project presentation, the tough conversation, the change order negotiation. Role-play with a colleague and get feedback.
Then, get on the field and play the game.
Final point: Notice what your primary job is, whether you are winning work, building work, or getting paid.
It’s having tough conversations.
If you’re going to succeed in Construction, you must master this skill.
Just like top athletes rely on skilled coaches, you too can benefit from expert guidance to conquer your inner critic and boost your performance.
If you’re curious about how I can help, let’s start with a quick 10-minute chat.
Simply click this link to book a time.
During our call, I’ll be straightforward – if I think I’m not the right fit for you, I’ll tell you immediately and try and point you in the right direction.
However, if we both see potential for a valuable partnership, we’ll arrange a longer, more detailed discussion to explore your leadership challenges and opportunities further.
