What the F&*K is Virtuosity?

In gymnastics, completing a routine without error will not get you a perfect score, 10.0—only a 9.7.

To get the last three-tenths of a point, you must demonstrate “risk, originality, and virtuosity” as well as make no mistakes in the execution of the routine.

Risk is simply executing a movement that is likely to be missed or botched.

Originality is a movement or combination of movements unique to the athlete—a move or sequence not seen before.

Understandably, novice gymnasts love to demonstrate risk and originality, for both are dramatic, fun, and awe-inspiring— especially among the athletes themselves, although audiences are less likely to be aware when either is demonstrated.

Virtuosity, though, is a different beast altogether. 

Virtuosity is defined in gymnastics as “performing the common uncommonly well.”

Unlike risk and originality, virtuosity is extremely difficult to achieve.

It is, however, easy for the audience, the coach, and the athlete to see.

But more importantly, virtuosity is more than just the requirement for that last tenth of a point; it is always the mark of true mastery (and of genius and beauty).

There is a tendency among novices developing any skill or art to skip right past virtuosity, and that is a huge mistake.

When you are learning to outsource, systematize a business, or compete in gymnastics, you want to quickly move past the fundamentals and on to more elaborate, more sophisticated skills.

This compulsion is the novice’s curse—the rush to originality and risk.

The novice’s curse manifests as excessive bullshit, silly creativity, weak fundamentals, and, ultimately, a marked lack of virtuosity and delayed mastery.

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to be taught by the very best in any field, you’ve likely been surprised at how simple, how fundamental, and how basic the instruction was.

Using global talent & systematizing businesses is no different.

What will inevitably doom an outsourcing attempt and dilute a business owner’s efficacy is a lack of commitment to the fundamentals.

• Onboarding the right way

• Simple and effective communication

• Clear responsibilities

• Well organized information

These points will never “go viral," but they will make a tremendous impact!

I see this over and over again in my coaching work.

Example:

I want you to display virtuosity in outsourcing the scheduling of meetings, tracking their completion, and documenting them - before we talk about advanced topics!

I understand how this happens and how this error occurs.

It is natural to want to deploy the advanced skills you read about on the internet.

The urge to quickly move away from the basics and toward advanced skills arises out of the natural desire to feel like you are adding value and doing something sexy.

But make no mistake: it is a sucker’s move.

This rush to get ahead of yourself hurts your business's rate of return on its efforts and makes it more likely to fail. It also slows down progress and advancement.

In short, it kills your development.

If you, as a business leader, insist on the basics, and I mean really insist on them, your outsourcing and systemization will do well.

Your team will quickly come to recognize the potency of fundamentals.

Your business will advance in every measurable way past those not blessed to have a leader so grounded and committed to the basics.

Your systems will improve, and your employees will thrive—all because you simply recommitted to the basics.

You can do advanced stuff when you are ready!

I want virtuosity first.

Yours In Outsourcing,

Jon

P.S. My wife told me I can’t have any more coaching clients, but if you want to be added to the waitlist, send me an email

P.P.S. I included a voice-over of me reading this article at the top. Let me know if you like this and if I should keep doing it!