Missing The Hole

About nine months ago, I cracked a tooth that had to be extracted. At the time, I hoped it could be fixed with Krazy Glue (it cannot). I began a 9-month journey which included extracting the tooth, allowing the bone to repair, having a dental implant screw put in, waiting another 3 months, having a restoration made, and then having it placed where the old tooth had been. At first, the new tooth felt odd, so I asked my dentist when I would stop noticing it. He replied that his experience was that patients were not bothered by the new tooth but rather by the loss of the hole that they had become accustomed to. This led me to consider how I become accustomed to the hole and forget about the tooth when I am performing well enough instead of my best, when a team has a vacant role and appears to be doing well, and when I am satisfied with our growth and limiting us by complacency.

In our personal and professional lives, we often adapt to suboptimal situations without realizing it. As I had grown accustomed to the hole left by my missing tooth, we can become comfortable with gaps in our performance, teams, or organizations. We may convince ourselves that we are doing well enough, that the absence of a key player is not hindering our progress, or that our current level of growth is sufficient. However, this mindset can lead to complacency and prevent us from reaching our full potential. By recognizing and addressing these "holes," we can push ourselves and our teams to strive for excellence and continuous improvement.

Another lesson from this experience is the importance of taking action to fill the gaps in our lives and work. As I had to undergo a lengthy process to replace my missing tooth, addressing the holes in our performance, teams, or organizations requires effort and commitment. It may involve investing in personal development, recruiting talent, or implementing new strategies and processes. While these actions can be challenging and time-consuming, they are essential for long-term success and growth. By proactively identifying and addressing the gaps in our lives and work, we can create a stronger foundation for ourselves and those we lead. Moreover, the process of filling the hole can be transformative. When I finally had my new tooth placed, it felt strange at first, but over time, it became natural. Similarly, when we take steps to address the gaps in our performance, teams, or organizations, the changes may feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar initially. However, adapting and integrating these changes into our lives and work can become a source of strength and growth. By embracing the discomfort of change and recognizing the potential for transformation, we can unlock new opportunities for ourselves and those we lead.

In life and leadership, it is easy to become accustomed to the holes in our lives and work. We may adapt to suboptimal situations, convince ourselves that we are doing well enough, or become complacent with our current level of growth. However, by recognizing these gaps and taking action to fill them, we can push ourselves and those we love and lead to achieve greater success and fulfillment. Whether it is investing in personal development, strengthening our teams, or implementing new strategies, the process of filling the hole can be transformative. As leaders, we must be proactive in identifying and addressing these gaps, embracing the discomfort of change, and recognizing the potential for growth and transformation. By doing so, we can create a stronger foundation for ourselves and those we lead, and unlock our capacity for flourishing.

With love, gratitude, and wonder.

Scott