This bit of business philosophy served as the focal point of a message that I communicated to my team members recently at one of our “all-hands” meetings at my club, the TELOS Fitness Center, in Dallas.

My intention was to reinforce the belief that every employee has the talent, training, experience, and support to do their jobs well––that they were, indeed, “sufficient to stand.” At the same time, I reminded them that how engaged they were in their job, and how well they performed, were ultimately dependent on them. Although capable, they also were also “free to fall” short of their individual, and of our collective, potential.

As leaders—in our homes, communities, clubs, and industries—one of our greatest responsibilities, and opportunities, is to equip others for the challenges that await them. It’s our job to ensure that they have the education, information, and coaching required to succeed.

In our clubs, before we can hold our team members accountable for meeting performance standards, we need to look in the mirror—frequently—to remind ourselves of our role as teachers and empowerers. And not just in the first few weeks of employment, but throughout a person’s entire career with our organization.

That requires, among other things, that we provide a stimulating environment that fosters ongoing learning, and, if team members aren’t “up to par,” asking ourselves if we’ve done our best to provide the necessary training and resources. Only then can we, in good conscience, judge an employee’s ability to meet our expectations.

When researching the subject of “employee engagement,” I happened upon a good definition of the term—it refers to people who give “discretionary effort.” That is, they go beyond fulfilling the basic requirements, demonstrating a higher level of commitment. They make the effort, even when no one is watching, because they genuinely care about the people they work with, the company they work for, and the customers they serve.

Our people are truly our greatest asset.  as leaders, we should strive to cultivate the potential in others and in so doing,  create a culture where our team members are “sufficient to stand, yet free to fall.” Fortunately, under the right circumstances, most will choose to stand tall!