Contrary to popular wisdom, when managing people, harmony is not the goal.

Your job is not to make everyone so comfortable and blissful that they always have a smile on their face and a spring in their step.

That is a recipe for mediocrity.

We don’t learn or grow by being coddled, protected or showered with unearned praise.

We grow through facing adversity and steadily surpassing what we previously thought was the best we can do.

If the only thing a coach told an aspiring Olympic athlete was, “That was a great effort, why don’t you get some rest”… the athlete would probably never get near the Olympics.

High performers need someone with even higher standards who can be grateful for hard work and recognize progress, but then offer constructive feedback that offers a path to even greater performance. Why is this necessary? They are competing with the best in the world, or at least in their industry.

In some ways, harmony or comfort can become a limiting belief, as though you perceive that other people can’t handle the intensity of confronting honest feedback. They’ll get upset you fear. Or even worse: emotional.

I’m not telling you to be abrasive or harsh.

I’m telling you to treat people in such a manner that it is clear your intention is to challenge them and bring out their best.