“Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.”

– Plato, Ancient Greek philosopher

Image from Flickr by wwarby

Who doesn’t recall the story of the tortoise and the hare, or the phrase “slow and steady wins the race”? Yet in the world today, moving fast is often seen as a critical part of success.

In terms of the coaching process, each individual and organization needs to be treated uniquely and define their own standard of success. It troubles me when people place their own definition of success and achievement on others – often invalidating, judging and diminishing the efforts and progress of those around them.

Plato is suggesting that we support and celebrate others’ effort and progress, no matter how slow, in order to be supportive coaches, mentors and colleagues to those we care about.

Exercise:

How will you be an encourager and not a discourager of others in your personal and professional lives today?