Higher Performance Insights | HE** YEAH, or Nope
Campus leaders face a daily choice—not just about what to do but also how to decide what to do.
The old way: Weigh pros and cons. Make lists. Agonize.
The new way: “Hell Yeah” or Nope.
It's simple. It's binary. It's powerful.
When a new opportunity knocks - a speaking engagement, a program proposal, a partnership offer - ask yourself: "Is this a “Hell Yeah?"
If it's not, it's a Nope.
- No middle ground.
- No maybes.
- No, "let me think about it."
Why?
Every yes is a trade-off. Every yes steals time, energy, and focus from something else—something that might have been a “Hell Yeah.”
The team that tries to do everything ends up doing nothing remarkable.
The leader who says YES to every request becomes a manager of mediocrity.
But the one who saves them Yeses for the “Hell Yeses?” They create impact. They inspire. They lead change.
Of course, not everything on the work floor is exciting. Budget meetings rarely elicit a "Hell Yeah," and neither do most administrative tasks.
That's okay. This isn't about avoiding necessary work. It's about being intentional with your choices, reserving your enthusiasm and discretionary effort for what truly matters.
It's about saying NO to the good and saying “Hell Yeah” to the great. [1]
Try it. For one week, apply this filter to every new opportunity that comes your way and watch what happens.
You might find yourself with more time, focus, and enthusiasm for the work that really moves the needle.
You might find yourself leading an organization that stands out, not because it does everything but because it does the right things with unmatched energy.
You might find yourself saying “Hell Yeah” a lot more often.
And meaning it.
As Greg McKeown writes in Essentialism, “Only once you give yourself permission to stop saying yes to everyone can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter.” [2]
Team Discussion Question
How can your team implement the “Hell Yeah” or Nope approach to decision-making? How might this help you focus on high-impact initiatives that truly align with your system’s mission and values?
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