A mentor once shared his insights with me about a candidate for hire, whose references spoke very highly about his potential: “Potential means you ain’t shown me nuthin yet.” Of course, its’ not that simple…or is it? Really, when all the talking’s done, the interviews are complete, the analysis of what went wrong along the way to sabotage the project leader’s success is complete, after you’ve heard all the excuses once again for why he’s put off finishing the project and the eloquent waxing and pontification is silenced, the track record of success, failure, or mediocrity remains.
Simply put: Your actions speak so loud, I can’t hear what you’re saying. There’s a time to extend mercy, a time to be long suffering, a time to be compassionate, a time for 3rd chances, and a time for grace. However, as leaders, there also comes a time when we have to sit back, be quiet, evaluate a person’s track record of performance and relationships with others for what they truly are, and judge a tree by the fruit it’s produced.
