60/40 rule

From Lessons on Leading by Jessica Steel :

Leaders recognize that we should feel 60% mastery and 40% stretch in our jobs at any given time. We draw our confidence from the 60% we know we’re nailing, and we grow from the challenge of the 40% that is new and uncomfortable for us. Leaders focus on this equation for all of their employees. And, for themselves. Confident, challenged and happy employees tend to stick around.

This struck a chord with me on one of the most under-focused roles of managers, because, of course, it’s hard to make it happen, but at the same time, this is what employees appreciate the most, besides salary raises (and sometimes in lieu of salary as well).

P.S. I also liked the “A leader’s job is to absorb anxiety and instill confidence among employees” part in the above linked article.