Why the thought „It's okay“ is highly dangerous

There are phases in everyday (management) life when everything is going somehow - but not really well. The calendars are full, the emails are piling up, the meetings are coming in reliably. The processes are working, the business is running. You think to yourself: «Things are actually going okay.»

And that is precisely the moment when it becomes dangerous.

Because «quite okay» is not a neutral state. It is often the first step towards cultivated mediocrity - and you usually realize this too late. Why? Because nothing is really going wrong. But nothing really moves forward either. And in leadership, if you stand still, you lose impact - sooner or later.

The danger lurks in mediocrity

Mediocrity comes along quietly. It seems harmless. It seems sympathetic. It doesn't want to hurt anyone. It whispers: „Come on, let's just carry on like this. It's been pretty solid so far.“ But what it really does: it slows you down. It drains energy. And it prevents growth - for you, your team and the entire company.

It becomes particularly dangerous when this becomes a habit. When «it fits» becomes the hidden norm. Then not only the standard drops - but also the ability to recognize or demand genuine excellence.

If you find yourself in this description: Welcome to the club. But that's precisely why now is the right time to break the loop. Not because everything is bad. But precisely because everything is just «okay».

Questions you should ask yourself

Here are three specific questions that can help you get back to a higher level:

• Question 1: What's your personal «it's okay» that's no longer enough? Perhaps a management situation that you have been letting go for too long. Or a decision that is long overdue. Or a routine that is more paralyzing than useful.
• Question 2: What would you do differently today if you could start from scratch - with your calendar, your team, your focus? Tip: This is where the next lever usually lies.
• Question 3: What would you like to look back on with pride in three months' time - and what haven't you started yet? Not everything at once. But one concrete step can be enough to release new energy.

Conclusion: The most dangerous condition in leadership is not acute overload. It is getting used to the status quo.

If you have the feeling that you can do more - then set the new standard now. Not tomorrow. Not when it «fits better». But today.

To the author:
Volkmar Völzke is a success maximizer. Book author. Consultant. Coach. Speaker. www.volkmarvoelzke.ch