I use the word “ultimate” quite a lot on this website and in my work. It is intentional and here is why.
In my career, I see that that the most successful people and therefore, the most successful organizations, are the ones who have a strong culture of ongoing learning. It is not a choice for them. They have to do it. And, it has absolutely nothing to do with age, gender, race, or ethnicity. It also has nothing to do with the position one holds.
Being ultimate means being a leader, no matter what seat they sit in. Leaders who are committed to life-long learning for themselves and alert to others who are hungry too. Ultimate professionals feed others generously and without keeping score.
Ultimate leaders are fearless about change. It means striving for excellence, not just on some days, but every day. It does not mean perfection. It means owning mistakes and committing to do better. In a high-stakes and complicated workplace made even more so by the pandemic, people are working under tremendous pressure and stress. These conditions make it particularly challenging to be “ultimate.” The pandemic is revealing the gaps in our workplace as never before.
This is precisely why I train and speak about the ways to meet all these challenges, to fully leverage time, talent, and resources. Too often in the stew are obstacles such as workplace bullying, sexual harassment, and gender or race and age discrimination. I shine a light and address all of these real-life issues head on, in order to explore viable and sustainable solutions with transparency, accountability, and respect – all while we work hybrid, remotely, or in-person.
A relentless pursuit of education is at the heart of the matter. In my view, there is no other way to be ultimate.
