“Average is the top of the bottom, the best of the worst, the bottom of the top, the worst of the best.” – John C. Maxwell
Have you ever asked yourself where you stand in regards to your efforts and impact in your leadership? It’s honestly an intriguing question to ponder. The truth is, when it comes to our pursuits in this earthly life, there seems to be a pattern that divides people into three distinct categories: the 80% club, the 15% club, and the 5% club. If you’ve spent any time with me whether during one of my talks, a coaching session, on a podcast, or as a part of my team, you’ll hear me use the 80/15/5 reference frequently. Let’s unpack it!
The 80% – Doing “Just Enough” club: The largest group of individuals, comprising roughly 80% of the population in the world, are those who do “just enough” to get by. They follow the path of least resistance, maintain their comfort zones, and rarely step out of them. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this approach at all, it often results in a lack of personal growth and a limited impact in leading / inspiring. Sadly, the 80 percenters can even be comfortable when they are truly not happy. Any little interruption in their comfort and they can snap. Some are even living miserably, but they choose to be comfortable in their misery.
Here are a few characteristics of the 80% Club:
- Comfort oriented with bare minimum ambition for change or personal growth
- Stays away from taking risks
- Reluctant to step out of their own way
- Rarely sets any type of high achieving goals for themselves or anybody they lead
- Tends to follow along and hang with fellow 80% club members
The 15% – “Just Above Bar” Club: This group are those who consistently perform at a level above the bare minimum. They set higher standards for themselves, take some calculated risks, and aspire to excel in their endeavors. This group is characterized by a moderate level of ambition and a willingness to put in extra effort when needed. This tends to be the group of individuals that get promoted in to some form of managerial or leadership role because they will always outperform the 80% club!
Characteristics of the 15%:
- Goal-oriented and driven.
- Willing to take on new challenges.
- Strives for improvement.
- Open to new opportunities.
- Aims to exceed expectations.
The 5% – “The World Changers” Club: The smallest and most impactful group, approximately 5% of the population, are the world changers. These individuals are the visionaries, the innovators, the game changers, the pioneers of growth on a team or in an organization! These trailblazers actively seek ways to make a difference, always challenging the status quo, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Not only do they set goals for themselves, they set goals for others! Their actions have a lasting impact on the world, often leaving a legacy that inspires generations to come! As you read this, you already are thinking to yourself the 5 percenters you know. They stand out in the group!
Characteristics of the 5%:
- Visionaries for growth that are fueled by purpose.
- Fearlessly driven by passion.
- Constantly pushing boundaries and pushing themselves to be better
- Committed to making a positive impact on anything they steward themselves to
- Inspiring others and always leading by example.
Do any of those groups resonate with you? Do you know who your 80/15/5 peers are? Let’s dive deeper… Which group would you put yourself in?
It is important to remember that we have the power to evolve and redefine our roles in life. If you are in the 5% club, you know who you are, I’m not saying anything you don’t already know about yourself. If you are hanging in the 80 or 15% group, and feel stuck and want to still push for growth, here are a few suggestions I’ve learned from some of the 5 percenters I’m blessed to have in my life!
1. Define and Know Your Purpose: Know what you want to do with your life. The impact you want to make. Discover your passion and purpose. What do you truly care about, and what change do you want to see in all realms around you? If you feel like you are stuck with where you are at, go back to the beginning of your journey and retrace the steps as to when you felt stuck. Start putting goals and actionable steps in place to get yourself up and moving! You have it in you and you know it. You just have to push yourself EVERY DAY!
2. Embrace Ambition: Set goals for yourself. Don’t settle for mediocrity; aim high and work diligently to achieve where you want to be in your life and leadership! Commit to growing yourself just 1% daily.
3. Take Calculated Risks: Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and take calculated risks. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. The 5%ers always approach each and every day with discomfort at the forefront of each and every decision they make. Growth requires facing challenges head-on. This is the reason many hang out in the 80% group because they are comfortable with themselves and are afraid to step up and out of that zone.
4. Never. Stop. Learning.: Continuously seek knowledge and personal growth. Education and self-improvement are key to making a lasting impact. Learn something new every single day. Even when you don’t feel like it, learn something new that will add value to yourself and to others.
5. Inspire Others: Be a light. Now, more than ever, we need leaders that are living out their purpose and at the same time inspiring others to be the best versions of themselves. Lead by example and inspire those around you to pursue their passions and make a positive difference in the world. Our people deserve to be led well.
You look at any business, organization, or team that is thriving, and at the core you will find that it is filled with 15 and 5 percenters! On the contrary, look at any organization or team that is stuck and struggling, and you’ll see a group of individuals that are not pushing themselves and are comfortable(even if it sucks) with where they are at!
Where the rubber meets the road… The 80-15-5 rule serves as a reminder that we have the ability to choose our path in life. While it may be comfortable to do “just enough” to get by, there is incredible fulfillment and impact to be found in striving to be one of the world changers. So, which category do you want to belong to? The choice is yours, and the potential for incredible change for the better is limitless. It is solely up to you and what you want out of life!
Side note: I have another view on the 80/15/5 principle as to how it relates to our team members and where we spend our most time, which we will unpack next week! You won’t want to miss this spin. Stay tuned!