Potential
A word that invites us to pause, to consider where we are now, where we could be, and what might help us get there.
In Coaching for Performance, Sir John Whitmore asks three thought-provoking questions:
How much of your full potential do you bring to your work? Interpret the question as you like and then write down a percentage.
What gets in the way of your full potential being realised?
What is the main inner obstacle that prevents your potential from manifesting itself?
Before reading further, take some time to reflect on your answers.
I find this activity very powerful as it opens my thinking to new possibilities and highlights areas for me to work on.
How did you respond to the questions?
According to Whitmore, on average individuals answer 40% to the first question, indicating high levels of unfulfilled potential. External blocks to manifesting the rest of that potential include organisational management style, lack of encouragement and opportunity, and restrictive organisational structures and practices.
What I find fascinating is that in response to the third question, fear is cited as the single universal internal obstruction to realising unfulfilled potential – expressed in ways such as fear of failure, lack of self-confidence, and self-doubt. From experience, I could add imposter syndrome, self-criticism, and perhaps even fear of success to the list.
The Inner Game
From the world of sport, Timothy Gallwey described this as The Inner Game – where ‘the opponent within one’s own head is more formidable than the one on the other side of the net.’ I believe our unique blend of values, strengths, and skills forms the foundation for realising our potential. But we also need to recognise how fear shows and find ways to work through it.
Gallwey summarised this with The Inner Game Equation: Performance = potential – interference.
If you’re reading this and feeling a bit stuck, you’re not alone. Most of us carry untapped potential, and often invisible interference. And this is at the heart of coaching – expanding people’s potential through understanding and building strengths, while reducing interferences that obstruct our progress.
Coaching helps illuminate both your strengths and your interferences so you can move forward with clarity.
Reflections
Here’s an activity for reflecting on your current potential level, identifying blocks and considering ways to reduce interference.