Push Forward to Reach Maximum Performance

For anyone who has driven a vehicle with a manual transmission ( or any vehicle for that matter) the goal to reach maximum performance is to push forward the engine revolutions per minute (RPM's) as observed on the engines tachometer , until you are at an RPM range for maximum performance. This is usually a higher RPM shown on the tachometer, close to the engines "Red-line" or maximum RPM's. The objective for maximum performance is to rev the engine to a point where the maximum performance is obtained (horsepower) , but not continuing to rev the engine past this range near or into the RedLine , where performance will degrade and possibly damage the engine.

One can relate this concept to managing a team on a project - you want the team members to push forward to achieve maximum performance while maintaining a standard of excellence in the work product. However, just like a cars engine if you push too much , the team will start to break down resulting in the increased possibility of mistakes being made, deadlines missed and increased stress and 'wear and tear ' on the team members.

Recognizing the team as the engine of the project , you want the team to operate in a range to achieve maximum performance, mindful that over stressing a team like an engine will degrade performance and is likely to cause damage.