Late night TV is like the Superbowl: The show that’s on? Sure, it’s mildly interesting. But, the commercials? Those are the real entertainment! (Disclaimer…it has been a long time since I’ve watched either the Superbowl or late night TV. Feel free to tell me if something has changed!)

Some of my favorite commercials are the ones with a sculpted model with single digit body fat “working away the pounds in just minutes a day!” This is frequently accomplished with an “ab machine” that is based off of a rocking chair.

The other ones I enjoy are the miracle pills that help you lose all your holiday weight in just weeks – no workout or diet required! Before? Chubby, pale middle-aged man or woman with slouched shoulders, bad lighting and a slightly depressed look on their face. After? Muscular, tanned man or woman, standing straight and proud, fantastic lighting, hair done, make-up polished and a look of confidence.

Both the miracle machine and miracle pills sell well. They are selling to people who are looking for maximum results with minimum effort. Who doesn’t want that?

The problem is they are selling hopes and dreams – not something you can actually attain through the method they are offering. What’s needed instead? Focused Intensity, Persistence and Patience.

This is just as true with leadership in the workplace. Whether leading growth or change – these are the three ingredients for success:

Focused Intensity: In fitness, your body begins to adapt (becoming stronger, increased endurance, etc.) when it is sufficiently stressed. Typically, you need to be focused and push yourself to work at or above 80% of your maximum ability.

Leadership success is achieved the same way. Many leaders are like most people in a gym: generally wandering around, toying with different machines, until they find a treadmill with a TV on in front of it. And, if you fast-forward to three years later, these people will be in roughly the same shape.

Leaders who know what is most important, identify what ‘difference will make the greatest difference’, and are willing to push themselves, are the ones who generate positive change. These leaders will frequently tell you that they spend the majority of their time on the 1 or 2 things that have the greatest impact on achieving their goals. This focus creates creative stress; which, over time, creates growth.

Persistence: In fitness, the ability to keep showing up and endure long, challenging workouts is more of a mental challenge then it is physical. Yes, the body will adapt. However, in nearly every marathon, there are a few people who aren’t in great physical shape; however, they are able to complete the marathon due to sheer persistence. They just keep putting one foot in front of the other until the goal is completed.

Leaders who are able to “stay in the race”, pushing goals and initiatives through to completion, are the ones who generate lasting, sustainable change. Many leaders get excited about new ideas and are able to run with them for a few months, or years. But then they get bored or distracted or impatient and start to pursue a new idea. The most effective leaders persist in developing people, growing themselves, and driving goals forward to completion.

Patience: Closely related to persistence is patience; however, persistence is active while patience is passive. This can be just as difficult. In fitness, it can be challenging for some people to wait for results. They might either try to shortcut the process with drugs; or, “cram” with overly intense, unfocused workouts, ultimately burning themselves out. Or, they give up.

Leaders who display focused intensity, persist in doing what’s most important and are patient, are the ones who ultimately succeed. Being able to be patient with staff, yourself, others, along with the processes you are using, is a critical mindset. This allows healthy, sustainable growth and change to emerge.

Impatience nearly always produces burnout, artificial and unsustainable results, and ultimately – failure.

Altogether, it takes effort to become fit. It takes effort to lead well.

The good news? Effort doesn’t depend on talent or luck. It’s accessible to anyone. And, sometimes it’s the least talented and least ‘blessed’ who accomplish the most. Just through effort.

Evaluate yourself: What areas are you strongest in? Focused Intensity? Persistence? Patience?

What areas are the most challenging for you? What is one thing you can begin to do that will help you overcome that challenge?

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