This weekend my son and I thoroughly enjoyed Top Gun Maverick on the big screen. In one scene, the Top Gun recruits were questioning the mission’s success due to the plane’s capability. Maverick quickly points out that success comes down to “the pilot not the plane”.
I see this kind of thinking a lot within organizations where leaders look to a model, a tool, a framework, to help them achieve success. And when they don’t accomplish their goal, they blame the model. Rarely, if ever, considering their role in the outcome.
The truth is, an ineffective leader using an effective tool will render the tool ineffective.
Have you ever noticed our most admired leaders know the best tool for success is themselves. That’s why they are constant learners, focusing on eliminating their blind spots.
As Maverick says: “it’s the pilot not the plane”.