
Image credit: IgorVetushko
I have spent a good part of my life feeling like I am living below my potential.
Can you relate?
For your sake, I hope not, but I know many people can.
I will get into more specific details about why I feel this way (and what I have done and am doing about it) in future articles, but for now I would like to share an inspiring story about a Philadelphia Eagles player named Zach Baun.
(Yeah, this is my second post about football and the Eagles in a month but hey, I love the Eagles and, if you are familiar with how creativity works, you know that ideas are generated based on what you are consuming. If you are unfamiliar, check out this podcast episode, which is a deep dive on how creativity works and how you can unlock your own inner creative genius.)
You don’t need to know anything about football to get the point of this article (and to get some real takeaway value), you just need to know the basics of Zach Baun’s journey:
Last year, Baun was just another NFL player. Solid but unremarkable. Then he joined the Philadelphia Eagles, where his defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, gave him a new role, mentorship, and a supportive environment.
This year, Zach was named to the NFL Pro Bowl
What changed?
Three things: Role, Coaching, and Environment
Zach’s story is a dramatic example, but the truth is, this same principle applies to all of us. Whether you’re an employee feeling stuck, a leader trying to inspire your team, or someone struggling to reach your potential, success often hinges on these same three elements…more explanation after this brief, exciting announcement. 🙂
Podcast Episode Announcement!
Unlock the Power of Experimentation in Achieving Impossible Goals
In my latest episode of Yes, And, I dive deep into the idea of thinking in terms of experimentation, not execution. If you're tired of getting stuck in rigid plans and want to unlock more creativity, growth, and success in your goals, this episode is for you.
I share how I’ve used this mindset to take my keynotes and business to the next level—and how you can apply it to your own life. Instead of focusing on perfection, you’ll learn how to embrace trial and error to make real progress, even when the road ahead is unclear.
Role: The Right Butt in the Right Seat
I don’t want to get too nerdy about football specifics here, so I’ll just say that last year Baun played a different position than he is playing this year. When the Eagles acquired him this year, Vic Fangio looked at him and said, “I think you would be a really good inside linebacker.”
Turns out he was right, and Zach Baun flourished.
Baun wasn’t bad, he was just in the wrong role.
Sometimes, the problem isn’t you—it’s the seat you’re sitting in. In my pre-speaking days, I joined a small IT startup. I was hired to be a project manager, but the head of the company really wanted me to be a “sales guy.” He said I would be good at it, but I think he just really needed to bring in sales for the company. I hated it and quickly flamed out. Wrong butt in the wrong seat.
If you feel stuck: Are you in the right role? Are you doing things that work best for your skill set, interests, and psychology? You might not be doing “bad,” you might just be in the wrong role.
If you are a leader: Do you have employees on your team who are underperforming? Is it possible that they just need a new, slightly different role? If you can be the Vic Fangio to their Zach Baun, you might be able to help an underperforming employee flourish.
Mentoring: Finding Someone Who Sees What You Don’t
Speaking of Fangio, his impact on the career of Zach Baun can not be overstated. By simply getting a coach who understood him and gave him a chance, Baun grew into a great player.
The right coach or mentor can have a hugely positive impact on your life and career. They can see things you yourself may have missed and help you step into your greatness.
The wrong one…well, let’s just say that at best they can limit your growth. At worst, they can absolutely destroy you.
If you feel stuck: Do you have the right mentor? Do you have a coach or mentor at all? For many people this is their boss. You can’t always do much to change who that is - though you could work toward a transfer or a new job - but you can also look for someone outside of work. This could be a formal paid relationship with a coach or an informal one with someone you have a connection with who can help you see more than you currently do and guide you to step into your greatness.
If you are a leader: Which kind of leader are you? Which do you want to be? We often think of leadership and management as telling people what to do and making sure deadlines are met. But as a leader, mentoring isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s how you unlock the full potential of your team. The best leaders aren’t taskmasters—they’re talent cultivators.
(In my recent podcast interview with Jason Eisner, we talked about a study by Google to identify whether managers mattered at all. The result? Yes, they do, AND the primary way they make a difference is in terms of mentorship and coaching they offer. You can listen to that interview here, and the segment about this study is at the 20:10 mark.)
Environment: Inspiring Culture or Limiting Constraints?
The final thing that helped Baun flourish is that he switched teams, from the New Orleans Saints to the Philadelphia Eagles. He got not just a new defensive coordinator, but a new head coach, new teammates, and a new organization. All those things combined to help him be the best he could be.
Environment matters. So much. And it is something people often overlook when they think about performance and productivity.
A few years ago I was talking with a client who was struggling at work. I gave them some suggestions on how to make their situation better. A little while later we spoke and things had gotten much better. The difference? He switched to a new team with a better culture, and as a result he was much happier and more productive. Skills are great, but environment matters at least as much, if not more.
If you feel stuck: Are you in an environment that is setting you up for success? If not, can you change it? This is not just about work, though that is a huge part of it. It can also be home, community, activities, friend groups, etc. If you set your environment up for success, you will make it much easier to perform up to your potential.
If you are a leader: What kind of an environment are you creating for your team, department, or organization? Is your open floor plan really helping people connect or is it making it harder for people to focus? Are there little issues or turf wars going on internally that you are not addressing that are hurting morale? Do your people feel free and respected or limited and constrained?
Success isn’t just about talent or grit. It’s about creating alignment. The right role, mentor, and environment don’t just make success easier—they make it inevitable.
So ask yourself: What’s one shift you can make today to unlock your potential?