EXPERTS ONCE CLAIMED that the human body simply wasn’t capable of running a four-minute mile; they were so sure that it created a psychological barrier to any attempt.

Then, on 6 May 1954, Roger Bannister ran a mile in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds. Within 46 days, another runner, John Landy, also broke the four-minute barrier. Over the following few years, dozens more athletes achieved what had once been considered impossible. Today, more than 2,000 runners have done it.

Human physiology didn’t evolve, but, once one person proved it was possible, the brain had a new reference point. The impossible became possible.

I work with incredibly capable individuals and teams who constantly talk themselves out of their own potential. We all do it, some of us more than others. A leader, manager or coach should become the bridge between fear and potential for their teams.

What is potential? It’s that great idea that you dismissed, a promotion that you held yourself back from. Potential is the gap between who you are today and what is possible tomorrow. Talking ourselves out of potential feels like logic, but it’s much more complex than that. 

When we look at the components of success, we mostly see what’s on the outside: talent, hard work, intelligence and great networking. Over my career I have become fascinated by the real driving force of success, which is the brain and the stories it tells us.

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