When Persistence Feels Pointless

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Subject: When Persistence Feels Pointless

The point of persistence

Why the boring, repetitive work of leadership is often the work that matters most.

Hey Friend

I feel like, over the last two decades, we've been gradually losing our ability to persist through things that challenge us.

Whether it's the conversation we know needs to happen, or the low standards we've been walking past without addressing. We know the problems rarely resolve themselves, they rarely disappear and they are rarely solved through a single conversation. We also probably know that sustained change requires slow, repetitive, uncomfortable or unrewarded actions over time, again and again and again, without giving up. It requires the very thing we're losing.

While I believe that most adults understand the value of persistence, I also see how they can find the discipline and practice of it completely uninspiring and frustrating - and many don’t prioritise it.

By definition, persistence is “the quality of continuing to pursue a goal or maintain a course of action despite difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.” It is the “despite” part that I think we get stuck on...the unrelenting, disciplined follow-through...urghhhh!

Let's take a personal example in my house. My son is at that age where if something doesn’t interest him, or he can’t see the immediate benefit, he puts a lot of energy into avoiding it or doing a pretty average job. And as a parent, who is also a coach and deeply passionate about leadership, I can’t help but look at his behaviours through a professional lens.

While his avoidance of what’s boring or uncomfortable might work for a while at school, it’s not a great strategy in life. And it’s definitely not a great strategy in leadership. So last year, when he asked for a gym membership, I said yes, on the condition that he came with me at least three mornings a week.

At 5.30am.

He agreed.

As you can imagine, the shine wore off pretty quickly, but to his credit, he stayed committed and continues to get up at 5.30am three times a week.

More recently, after some issues at school around focus and not doing the work, the consequence - which was actually his suggestion - was to join me in my Tuesday morning cycling class. That means 45 minutes on a stationary bike, in a room full of adults, being encouraged to push harder by an instructor who is both brilliant and highly optimistic.

In the first class, he just sat on the bike, pedalling occasionally but not really even trying.

The second class, he started to pedal, not at all aligned with the instructor, but in his own way, for the whole 45 minutes.

Then class after class, I’ve started to see him engage a little more and I've seen him experience positive outcomes. A little more stamina (when he's out mountain biking), a little more concentration over prolonged periods, a little less giving up early on things.

All things that are helpful in the workplace, and in life.

In her book Grit, Angela Duckworth writes...

“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”

The persistence required to be an effective and inspiring leader is mostly unglamorous and monotonous. It's required long after the energy, emotion or urgency has worn off - this is where we need to build persistence.

For you, and appropriate example might be dealing with underperformance - you want it to be corrected but you probably don’t want to go through the long, arduous process. You want your people to be accountable, but don't want to continually have to have the conversations.

I totally relate - even after eleven years of self-employment, I still have moments where things are going well and I somehow convince myself I can stop persisting with the very things that have created the stability in the first place.

Fortunately, my coach reminds me to...

“Chop the wood, carry the water - every single day.”

Not just when I feel like it or when it’s urgent...Every single day.

That is persistence. That is where you find sustainability. That is where you become more effective in how you lead.

So my reflective questions for you are:

Who's making sure you continue to persist with the things that matter most?
What are the things that matter most for your future?
Where are you avoiding the boring, repetitive or uncomfortable work?

If underperformance, avoidance or inconsistent accountability are showing up in your team, the answer may not be another policy, process or one-off workshop. The answer is likely to be in persistence and follow through.

My integrated leadership coaching and training program helps leaders develop the confidence, discipline and strategies to have the conversations, hold the standards and build trust at the same time.

Reach out if you want to learn more or book a conversation here.

Shelley 😁

Shelley Flett

Leadership Trainer, Facilitator & Coach | Shelley Flett Pty Ltd

M: 0407 522 888 | E: shelley@shelleyflett.com | W: shelleyflett.com

“Persistence is continuing to do the work long after the urgency, enthusiasm and recognition have disappeared.”

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Subject: When Persistence Feels Pointless

The point of persistence

Why the boring, repetitive work of leadership is often the work that matters most.