The philosopher Yogi Berra once opined, “You can observe a lot by watching.” And, as usual, Yogi was right. When you unleash your employees to travel to the ends of the earth — metaphorically speaking — to learn, grow their skills, take on new responsibilities, and welcome challenges with confidence, you've created not a pack of Frankenstein monsters, but human beings on the way to realizing their work potential. And doesn't it always come back to that?

The purpose of the coaching and mentoring managerial methodology is to take people to their outer limits, not by threats of violence or loss of jobs, but by affording them the knowledge and the opportunities to get there. As a coach, you teach, teach, and teach, and then it's up to your employees to help themselves and achieve great things. You show the way and your employees determine whether or not to venture beyond their comfortable parameters.

If you provide your people this kind of stimulating work environment, you've done your job and done it well. And, sure, not everybody in your employ will thrive under your tutelage, but most will, and some will do so at extraordinary levels.