The 4Ps to Success
Rich Baron • July 27, 2023
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, once said that by “failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”. It has become a common adage, but it is a statement that could not be truer: the importance of taking the time to build skills and abilities truly cannot be overstated.
I am a musician. Since I was a young boy, my mother instilled in me a love of music. Starting with Piano lessons at eight years old, Guitar lessons at age nine, and vocal lessons at age 10. I was also very active in sports such as Baseball and Skiing from an early age; however, music has always been my true love.
One of the primary lessons I learned early on was that the more you practice, with absolute focus and patience, the better you are prepared when the time comes to perform. Practice, Patience, Preparation, and Performance are my Four P's of Success
Some of the things I have achieved throughout my life by using this formula:
• Competed in both amateur and professional freestyle ski events
• Worked as a studio musician in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Toured the United States and Canada and played music in front of crowds of 10,000 or more.
• Have played music live with several well-known artists.
• Have owned a successful recording studio for over 20 years.
Later, I found a love for business and leadership. Using my formula, I have had a very successful career in operational and executive roles, which has led me to become a Master Certified Executive Coach.
So why do I give you this list of things that I have achieved? It is my strong belief that there is nothing that cannot be achieved if you prepare for it adequately. Whether it is an exam, a musical performance, a sports competition, or leadership, success can be achieved using sound principles of practice, patience, preparation, and performance. Utilizing this formula allows you to relax, thrive, and be confident, allowing you to be your best, with the knowledge that you are going to succeed.
Leadership and the Four P's
How does this all apply to leadership? So often in today's world, we seek instant job gratification, a fast track to the job or title we want, status, wealth, and the list goes on. But what happens when we fail to take the time and patience to hone our skills, plan ahead, and then perform?
Let's take a look at Mt. Everest as an example. There are over 300 people that have died trying to climb the world's highest peak with over 200 bodies still on the mountain. Each one of these 300 climbers was once a highly motivated individual with a goal of standing at the top. However, climbers have a simple rule. Climbing to the summit is only half the journey, and congratulations on a successful ascent can only be given when you return to base camp. The tragic truth is that most deaths occur on the way down, after reaching the summit. Why is this the case?
The reason is very simple. On the way to the summit, the climber has a big goal to reach the top of the world. They spend a lot of money and time, spending up to 1.5-2 months on the mountain, climbing between camps, and acclimatizing. However, the window for the climbing season is short and time is critical. And so, when the push to the summit remains only a couple of hours away, many go beyond their capabilities and spend the last of their strength and skillset to achieve the goal of standing on the top for just a few moments.
However, here is where the real problems start.
The climbers then find themselves in the death zone lacking the ability to focus their concentration on a safe descent. The consequence of impaired balance and cognitive function due to a lack of oxygen, or perhaps a loss of coordination from frostbite makes it much harder to distinguish between the various forms of altitude illness, cold-related injuries, and straightforward exhaustion, all of which leave them stranded to die of exposure. All of this puts their teams at risk as well and due to the extreme nature of the climbing at those altitudes, they are forced to leave their teammates behind to ensure their survival.
Wrapping Up
I often see the same thing in those people who try to push their goals in leadership too far, too fast. Getting that title, the corner office, the recognition, presumed power (notice how I mention presumed), and everything they think comes with it. All of this can then result in the individuals not being able to see the true nature of the position they may be facing. This is when we see burnout, stress, poor performance, high turnover in their team members, and ultimately, a lackluster career. All of this could have been avoided by taking the time to practice their leadership skills, having patience in developing their abilities, planning for the future while utilizing their leadership styles and maps, and then being able to perform long-term.
About the Author
Rich Baron holds the esteemed title of Master Certified Intelligent Leadership Executive Coach at John Mattone Global. With a wealth of expertise spanning over 25 years, he has excelled in various realms such as cultural transformation, operational leadership, executive positions, and coaching individuals from emerging leaders to CEOs. Rich co-hosts "Mainline Executive Coaching ACT," a podcast acknowledged by FeedSpot in 2023, and again in 2024 as the foremost Executive Coaching Podcast worldwide. This recognition is based on an evaluation of numerous podcasts on the internet, taking into account factors such as web traffic, social media followers, and timeliness. The podcast enjoys a substantial following in more than 60 countries and 550 cities across the globe.
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