Many developing leaders struggle with the following phrases from those on their team:

  • “That’s not fair! You’re not treating us the same!”
  • “How come there is a different set of rules for them?”
  • “No wonder I don’t produce like they do.  They get all the best leads.  We don’t get the same opportunity.”

Inexperienced leaders are frightened by these questions, especially if the conversation has a high level of intensity.  We wrestle with – Am I going to get involved in a lawsuit?  Are they right?  Should I treat them the same?  Are my supervisors going to support me?  What if they don’t?  Should I change how I lead?

If this is you, let me give you some talking points.  The answer is that fair ended in the Garden of Eden.  Fair is not in the Bible.  The reason another person gets a different set of rules is because they produce and the complainer often doesn’t.  When the complainer produces like the producer, then they will get the same rules and opportunity.  So go produce!

How you communicate this depends on your style and personality, but that is the correct answer even though it sounds harsh.

This is how successful leaders think.

I want to flesh this out more with help from an incredible article in the December 12th, Sports Illustrated.  Jim Trotter discusses the incredible skill package of Arizona Cardinals first round pick Patrick Peterson.  So far this year, Peterson has returned four punts for touchdowns.  There is now a different set of rules for him.

Special teams coach Kevin Spencer says, “You don’t put shackles on a player like that.”

Spencer advised Peterson that “average players need rules.  Special players need guidelines.”  Peterson is one of those special players who receive guidelines.

Whether it is church, non-profit, business, sports, political, or some other area of leadership, you probably have a mix of people who have special talent along with those whose talent is average.  You cannot treat them equally and have long-term success.

Special talents leave homogenized environments.  They will not be reduced to a level of mediocrity.  As Kevin Spencer said, take the shackles off these people.  Give them guidelines, not rules.  And watch them and your organization go to another level.

Leaders, how do you feel about treating everyone differently?  And if you don’t think Peterson is special check out the videos at the top and bottom of this post.

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