Iteration & Meritocracy
The Idea Meritocracy
As a leader I’ve always tried to make decisions through a meritocratic process.
For many years I traveled the country speaking to and coaching leaders primarily on leadership and management skills.
While health and fitness was the foundation to the “leader-of-self” curriculum I created, I championed the concept of an idea meritocracy as the primary process of decision making in management processes.
Making decisions based on what had merit and delivered results ruffled feathers at times.
But, it ensured that the processes we used had to be proven and not just adopted because it’s “the way we’ve always done things.”
In fact, I had an early filter installed into the process that questioned anything that fell into the “the way we’ve always done things” category.
Meritocracy in The 50-50
As I’ve been training for the 50-50 challenge I’ve implemented the same meritocracy method.
Ideas need to be tested, proven and, if kept, iterated on.
Ideas that don’t work are quickly and gracefully removed.
Sunsetting ideas that don’t work can be a tough decision though.
We want to be right.
We want to feel surety.
When we don’t feel sure we lose confidence and feel like a charlatan or a fraud.
This is one of the most common themes I see when I start with new clients.
Somehow they think they need to have everything figured out.
Frankly - that’s one of the reasons I started the 50-50 challenge…to be a beginner.
Being a White Belt
Starting out in martial arts means you are a white belt.
The belt shows your “beginner state.”
I remember years ago when I started learning Tai Chi my sensei would remind me that until I learned how to move slowly and feel the chi moving through my body it didn’t make sense to learn more forms.
Starting with the basics and sticking to them can feel slow, redundant and ineffective at times.
However, I’ve learned that a true meritocracy moves on from ideas that don’t provide results while testing other ideas to prove what will work.
In and Out List
As the training for the 50-50 has continued into the new year I’m well aware of the fact that we’ve got just over 2 months to be ready to go.
The meritocracy MUST work or I won’t succeed.
So, here are some ins and outs based on what I’ve tested recently.
In
Cupping
Calorie increase
Assisted stretching
Peptides for recovery
New Altra road running shoes
Speed work to improve stride and power
Shorter, more focused lower body workouts
Going deep into introspection post run…exploring ideas that bubble up
Out
Over-complication in stretch and mobility routines
Only training on trails…now doing road and treadmill
4-5 different energy bars…dumped because of taste preference or felt heavy
My list continues to change as I test ideas and play with tactics and techniques in my overall strategy.
I double down on what works, iterate to test impact and speed of results and remove what doesn’t.
With about 10 weeks left the meritocracy is proving effective at trimming and sliming the process.
Application
I’m curious - do you use an idea meritocracy in your business?
Are you using an idea meritocracy in your health and fitness?
If so, how?
Leave me a comment and let me know.
Until next time - keep rolling!
