I get my haircut every week.
(Feel free to insert your jokes about a bald guy getting a haircut here.)
I also sleep with my hairdresser. I even let her tell me when it is time to get a haircut.
On the other hand, I have a friend who gets his haircut twice a year. By the time he is “due” for a haircut, he looks like Dennis Eckersley. He gets a haircut every year around New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July.
Apparently, his wife has no say in when he gets his haircut.
The two of us have entirely different ways of handling the same situation. Most things in life, people take different approaches.
If you are in a leadership or management position, it is essential to remember that you can’t treat everyone the same. Doing so pushes some people away. One person’s motivation might be the next person’s insult. The best leaders figure this out early in the relationship.
People are happier and produce more when they are approached correctly. There isn’t a secret recipe for helping people reach their highest potential.
But the essential first step in the process is getting to know each other. Once you understand another person’s motivations and preferences, you can help them see what it takes to get the most out of life. Putting their goals first will help you succeed.
Nearly everybody relates well to themselves. They are motivated to meet their goals and desires. When you, as a leader, align the individual’s motivation with the team’s goals, you will typically see team success.
It leaves everyone feeling like a winner.
If a person’s individual motivation conflicts with the team’s success, they shouldn’t be on the team. We don’t want people who will pull the team in a different direction. No matter how strong the individual is, if they are pulling the team in a different direction, they need to go.
In fact, the stronger they are, the worse they are for the team. Their strength is only pulling the team faster in the wrong direction.
As we move into 2026, I encourage everyone to look at their teams and ensure they are pulling in the same direction. If someone is unwilling to pull in the same direction, it is time for your team to get a haircut.
