For the record, I love cars, especially sleek and very fast ones. I also enjoy a worthy metaphor. So, if you’re interested in finding out how I believe those two things can be related to leadership, read on. If not, let’s connect next time!

There are naturally-aspirated cars (meaning those that draw in ambient air and mix it proportionally with fuel) and then there are those which possess an internal boost mechanism (which compresses the air to richen the intake mix and generate greater power). The latter approach produces more energy and momentum from an engine and drivetrain that might otherwise be capable, but ordinary. It is the supercharger that provides the extra boost.

The supercharger is there when you need it, providing extra power and acceleration upon request. But you must ask for it by purposefully depressing the accelerator. If you don’t ask for the boost, it will remain idly by and allow the engine to cruise along without it. You can travel down the road but the trip won’t be very exciting or memorable.

When pondering leadership of a business, there are remarkable parallels. A leader can accept the status quo and decide to leave the business on cruise control. Increase speed only very deliberately and don’t require anything “extra” from the system (aka your people). It’s the safe play but it won’t excite the team.

Another approach, for those who are Leadership Worthy, is first to assure that the team is in shape and ready to go. A Shared Purpose provides somewhere to go, along with the resources information and training to get there. Then the leader can apply the throttle to accelerate progress, to accomplish more and become more. Focused and steady pressure will cause the supercharger to kick-in and, when it does, fasten your seat belt!

Apply too much pressure and you lose control; not enough and you lose to the competition.

It’s a balance that requires an agile touch, not a stomped foot. And when those RPM’s spool up, it’s an exhilarating feeling that engages our senses like no other.

Tempus Maximize!