The Threshold Bite

The Threshold Bite

Posted on 10. Aug, 2010 by in Self-Leadership, The Leadership Coach™

I was at a new cafe with a friend recently and we were devouring our meal with great passion (and if you know me, you know I can be seriously passionate about my food). This meal could do no wrong. We embarrassed ourselves with adjectives, superlatives and groans of joy. But then, out of nowhere, something terrible happened. He took one more bite.

I saw it in his face. Groans of joy became a sickly sigh. He pushed back a little from the table as the smile drained from his face. And then he uttered the fateful phrase… “That was the Threshold Bite”. When I pressed him for an explanation I discovered he’d labeled a mistake I think we’ve all made (some of us very regularly) which is too have one bite too many. It’s incredible how that one extra bite can turn a meal from pleasant to unpleasant.

As we talked about the Threshold Bite our conversation turned to the fact that there is a Threshold Bite for just about anything that is good. Too much spare time. Too many ideas. Too much flattery. Too much excitement. Too much work.

When we take good things to an unhealthy extreme there comes an invisible line we cross, and what was once good for us becomes the very thing that begins to hurt us.

Leaders do that all the time…
• The latest management fad implemented “110%” to the detriment of team culture and momentum
• Pushing for results and “work ethic” at the expense of long-term sustainability
• Working so hard at creating unity that we squash innovation and diversity
• Believing our own publicity, until our authenticity is replaced by an airbrushed replica of who we are

Management. Results. Unity. Reputation. They’re all good things in balance yet you can hurt your team and yourself in the pursuit of them without moderation.

Perhaps my Nanna was right with her approach to life that was simply, “all good things in moderation”.

• Do I recognise when I’m approaching the point where it’s too much of a good thing?
• As a leader do I practice delayed gratification or do I only preach it?
• Will I exercise the self-discipline to stop while a good thing is still a good thing?

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13 Responses to “The Threshold Bite”

  1. Stuart Chadban

    10. Aug, 2010

    Hi Paul,
    Insightful blog this morning.
    ‘The threshold bite’ – great way of painting the picture that there is a limit and being aware of it is the key to balance.

    Cheers
    Stuart

    [Reply]

  2. Paul Andrew

    10. Aug, 2010

    Stuart & Christian – thanks for the comments!
    All the best
    Paul
    Paul Andrew´s last [type] ..Bottleneck

    [Reply]

  3. Bill Smith

    10. Aug, 2010

    Hi Paul.

    It’s a real challenge sometimes to recognise when enough is enough!

    That’s why having an external party to offer feedback and insights can work so well for leaders – because sometimes there’s no one else there doing that for them.

    Trust you’re enjoying yourself over there.

    Cheers,

    Bill

    [Reply]

    Paul Andrew Reply:
    August 10th, 2010 at 11:42 pm

    So true Bill, that’s where coaches can add so much value! Good to hear from you, and yes NYC is going VERY well.
    Paul Andrew´s last [type] ..Leading Without Emptying The Ocean

    [Reply]

  4. Linda West

    11. Aug, 2010

    This article makes a very vivid analogy. I see it as an appetizer to a a series which would explain how to know what that bite is. Some people don’t recognize in eating, they overeat. A manager who has her fingers in all the details may not realize she can delegate to her workers and actually have time to think. I think the first step to the threshold bit is knowing that there is such a thing.

    [Reply]

  5. linda West

    11. Aug, 2010

    Sorry I didn’t edit that last reply very will–I meant bite and also: Some people don’t recognize the threshhold bite in eating.

    [Reply]

  6. Christian Oey

    10. Aug, 2010

    Great post Paul (as usual). Too much of anything is usually not a good thing! Balance is key, but sometimes getting the balance right is difficult. Live learn I guess…

    Hope all is well in the Big Apple.

    Cheers
    Christian – http://www.christianoey.com

    [Reply]

  7. Rhema Trayner

    12. Aug, 2010

    Love it….. Kind of like stopping while you’re ahead.

    [Reply]

  8. Mavis Green

    13. Aug, 2010

    “Threshold” OH there IS one?! Wow I really loved this post. I have been the worst for realizing I’ve already crossed that place a fair bit after it’s happened. Great encouragement and specific ways to be aware BEFORE crossing into the over-doing, over-eating, over-working etc zone!

    Thanks Paul. Great article!
    Mavis

    [Reply]

  9. maxine taylor

    15. Aug, 2010

    What a fantastic metaphor for life…….I’ve often taken the Threshold Bite in a good meal.
    This article has given me cause to stop & think about where else I do this in my life.

    Thank you for the great insight Paul.

    Thanx Max

    [Reply]

  10. Paul Andrew

    16. Aug, 2010

    Looks like this subject hit a personal note for people!

    [Reply]

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