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Have you ever looked at someone on your team and thought, "Are they still the right fit?"
Or maybe the mirror asked you the tougher question: "Am I still the right fit for this role?"
Just because you can do the job doesn’t always mean you should.
A few weeks ago, my friend Mike Linch invited me to an event where leadership legend Sam Chand shared something that stopped me in my tracks. He introduced a framework that gives language to something every leader feels but struggles to articulate.
The sweet spot in any role lives at the intersection of three things: Skill, Will, and Thrill.
- Skill – Can they do the job?
- Will – Do they push through when it’s hard?
- Thrill – Do they come alive while doing it?
Let’s talk about thrill, because when thrill subsides, everything else starts to slip.
Sam said it best:
“When the thrill goes away, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person—just the wrong person.”
Thrill is that fire you can’t fake.
It’s the spark in someone’s eyes when they talk about their work.
It’s showing up on Monday excited, not just obligated.
And here's the kicker:
When the thrill is gone, people don’t always lose competence—they lose connection.
They stop dreaming. Stop questioning. Stop risking.
They deliver...but without the magic.
But get this: that same person, when re-aligned with the right role, can go from barely hanging on to completely on fire.
So ask yourself:
- When someone asks about your job, do you light up or shut down?
- Do you count the hours or lose track of them?
- Are you dreaming in “what ifs” or just checking off “what’s next”?
And leaders—pay attention:
- Who shows up with energy and ideas?
- Who’s quietly clocking in but already mentally checked out?
Thrill isn’t just a perk. It’s a signal. It tells you who’s aligned and who’s adrift.
And when you’re hiring, don’t just look for resumes and references.
Listen for passion. Look for spark.
Ask: “What work makes you come alive?”
If they hesitate... that tells you something.
Here’s the bottom line:
- Skill can be taught.
- Will can be built.
- Thrill has to be sparked.
When all three align?
That’s when teams fly.
That’s when cultures thrive.
That’s when people do the best work of their lives.
So don’t just ask if your people are good.
Ask if they’re right—right role, right time, right energy.
Because when the thrill is gone... it’s time for a conversation.
