POTENTIAL IS NOT ACCOMPLISHMENT

"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problem."

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) Preeminent leader of Indian nationalism.

Could do/intend to do/did do are very different things.

Occasionally check your aspirations against your accomplishments.

A high ratio means wasted potential.

POTENTIAL

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) U.S. poet/essayist/lecturer

Something you may never experience.

Potential is only that; you have to do something to make it something.

What's Your Potential?

"Lord we may know what we are, but not know what we may be."

William Shakespeare

16th century British playwright/poet

And all too often, we know neither.

Do you?

I Know What You Know, Show Me What You've Done

"Knowledge is only potential power."

Napoleon Hill

20th century American speaker/writer

As one whose company sold millions of dollars worth of market research, I can say without hesitation this is absolutely correct.

So little of business knowledge ever gets acted upon and that which doesn't has zero value to anyone.

Management: Knowing Enough Never Is

"My experience has shown me that the people who are exceptionally good in business aren’t so because of what they know but because of their insatiable need to know more."

Michael Gerber
Author

Unfortunately business rewards knowledge, penalizing lack of knowledge even in those cases where am attempt is being made to learn. We don't pay for potential; only performance. But if all of us have much to learn, and rest assured we do, isn't this back asswards?

How can we establish a culture that one, recognizes all managers need to continually learn, two, rewards those who admit they do and take steps to learn, while three, still meeting company performance targets?