High Intensity, Not High Tension
By Nathan Jamail
The other day was the first day I started working with a new client and I asked him what his goals were of his leadership style and culture. He said something that I just love, he said, “I want a environment that has high intensity, NOT high tension.” I said, “I love that, what does that mean to you?” He responded, “I don’t know what it means, but here is what it looks like, – people swarming around the office, high energy, moving with a great sense of purpose and people are working hard and having fun- whereas high tension is when the air is thick, energy is low but the pressure is high and there is a sense that everybody is waiting for the other boot to fall”. As he was describing this environment, I could see exactly what he was describing. “So Nathan, I want you to help me be a better coach in order to achieve this goal.”
This is simple in concept, but difficult in execution, mainly because it will be determined by the belief and activities of the leader. Both high intensity and high tension have one thing in common – and that is the expectation of high achievement or great results. There is one thing that will determine one versus the other.
High tension is created when high expectations are given with little direction or coaching, the demand is simply – get the result. Because there is no coaching or teaching; the demands get louder, the production gets lower, and nobody wins.
High intensity is when a leader gives high expectations and demands, but teaches and coaches the team to achieve these goals. They are in the field, on the floor or in the office with their team developing them and showing them better ways to achieve their goals. The team members feel confident because they are improving and the significant factor is the leader and the company not only counts on them to achieve their goal but is willing to invest in them – not just with a salary or pay, but with their own effort and involvement as well.
Managers hire good and professional people and let them do their job. Great coaches hire good and professional people and make them better. They invest in them, and the result is the employees invest even more into the company. Great coaches create high intensity based on their involvement with their people. Managers create high tension because they only get involved when they are needed or as a consequence.
High tension or high intensity is an environment that leaders create as a result of their words, activity and intentions. Like most things in life and in business, everybody wants great success and happiness and spend time looking for it, when those that have it realize that they did not find it, rather they created it.
Great results are more fun when they are achieved with high intensity!
