A Concept to Challenge Your Status Quo
The 10% That Changes Everything: Unlocking Mastery in Leadership
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” — Jimmy Johnson
Let’s get honest: If you’re half in, you’re actually all out. Even 90% commitment leaves you stuck in the same place, watching others break through while you wonder what’s missing.
I’ve seen it firsthand: CEOs who dominate every metric except the one that matters most: the courage to go all in.
Years ago, I coached a founder who was brilliant, driven, and by every outside metric, successful. But he hesitated to make the tough call on a toxic executive. He was 90% in. The company plateaued with consistently good sales, a palatable culture, and growth that was exceeding their competition. However, that founder knew there was another gear. That thought haunted him for well over a year while he received multiple awards. Only when he finally acted in the one area he knew was handicapping the business did growth explode. That's when a magnetic culture began to catapult every person in the organization to a new level, causing the organization to hit milestones only dreamt of, causing so much separation between their organization and the competition that many of his competitors felt the need to make risky decisions just to keep up. Those decisions led to much of the competition to self-destruct, leaving a near monopoly for him. That last 10%? It was everything.
Think of mastery as a marathon with a hidden wall at mile 25. Most runners slow down, content with “almost there.” But the elite—the true leaders—find something extra for that final mile. Not because they’re more talented, but because they’re willing to be uncomfortable. They know the finish line isn’t for the faint of heart.
Why 100% Matters
Momentum lives in the margins. The breakthroughs happen when you push past “good enough.”
Talent is overrated. Mastery is about courage, the guts to make the hard decisions, have the tough conversations, and risk being misunderstood.
Your team is watching. They’ll never go further than you’re willing to go yourself.
Action Steps for Leaders
Audit your commitment: Where are you 90% in? What’s the last 10% you’re avoiding?
Name the fear: Mastery requires courage, not comfort. Identify what’s holding you back.
Model the leap: Take visible action. Your team will follow your example, not your instructions.
“The magic you’re seeking is in the work you’re avoiding.”
Challenge the status quo. Forward this to your leadership team or a peer who’s ready for their next breakthrough. True mastery starts at the edge.
If you’d like more actionable insights like this, reply and let me know what leadership challenge you’re facing next.
