“It’s not enough we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required.”
~Sir Winston Churchill

I’ve mentioned in an earlier Thoughtful Minute when Maria, in The Sound of Music, sings that she needs to do better than her best. I’ve always found this an interesting concept…and truly impossible to achieve.

What if doing better than one’s best, or even simply one’s best, was not what was most needed in a situation? As human beings we walk through life thoroughly convinced that we are the center of the universe. Each of us, no matter how enlightened and intentional, sees the world through our own eyes, with our own perspective, colored by our personal needs, experiences, and preferences. We can walk into any situation and clearly “know” what would be best to do…and simply have misjudged the situation because we can only see through our own blinders.

Especially in times of turmoil or uncertainty, we must thoroughly investigate the situation itself – what is actually happening? Who is involved? What are their needs and perspectives? By working through these questions we are more likely to determine what is truly required to make things right and move things ahead. It might be our best that’s required. It might be better than our best. It might be something else entirely. Wouldn’t you rather know what’s required, so that your efforts stand more of a chance to actually make a positive difference?

Before you charge ahead doing what you “know” must be done, take a step back and gain a different perspective. Determine what is actually required before you make a move.

How can you look at your situation differently, to get a fuller sense of what is most required here and now?
Please leave a comment.

If you enjoyed this post, you can read more like it in our book, The Power of Thoughtful Leadership: 101 Minutes To Being the Leader You Want To Be, available on Amazon.


For support knowing what’s required, contact Robyn at rmcleod@chatsworthconsulting.com.

Click here to receive The Thoughtful Leaders™ Blog posts via e-mail and receive a copy of “Ending Leadership Frenzy: 5 Steps to Becoming a More Thoughtful and Effective Leader.”

Photo Credit: Flynt/Bigstock.com

New York: 212.537.6897 | Pennsylvania: 610.254.0244