Is there anything more impressive than Rafael Nadal’s mindset? Forget the tremendous strength and conditioning, here is a force of mind to simply get things done, irrespective of the challenge. He operates on a higher plain that almost any other elite tennis player in history.
Here is a lesson for us all, we may not have the talent and judgement of our largest competitors but with a champion’s mindset, we can go much further than we ever imagine.
Lawyers are paid to protect the self-interests of the party, who has hired them in all foreseen and unforeseen circumstances. To expect the first version of a partnership, shareholder or sale and purchase agreement to mirror the commercially-agreed terms (how you produce and reward results) is naive. To intelligently “pushback” with your partner, not their lawyers, is simply the expectation. That is most effective where you have both considered four buckets: what is critical and highly important to your success, and what is of moderate or low importance. Willing to compromise on the latter points of contention and preserve the former.
Some businesses and mid-level managers are so defined by “our market” beliefs that the mere thought of an innovation or new alternative, is immediately quashed. They consciously ignore risks that they are taking and their vulnerability to them. The drivers of early 20th century coach and horses just shook the reins harder until Henry Ford and his cars sped passed them.
