Jim Collins, the author of the book of Good to Great, states one powerful line that connects with many in leadership: “Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great.” What Collins means is that most leaders, people, and organizations become complacent with where they’re at simply because it’s “good enough.” They become complacent because the challenge of reaching greatness is difficult and full of adversity. It’s important to remember, however, that we can’t be great at everything and that not everything is important. Here are key actions to work against complacency:
- Track Data: The first key aspect of working against mediocrity is to track specific data. The numbers always tell the truth when talking about results, so it’s important to track key metrics that show where the organization is at with its performance. Leaders should always compare their metrics to the standard of performance and see where they align. The data can then be used to take more precise actions. How closely do you track key data and metrics for success?
- Recognize and Promote Results: The second key aspect of working against mediocrity is to recognize and promote people who consistently achieve the results. It’s easy for people in an organization to fall into mediocrity when they’re not recognized or promoted for their hard work. Their mindset becomes about doing the minimum required to fulfill their duties. By recognizing and promoting people who achieve results, others may also be motivated to continue striving for excellence. How effectively do you recognize and promote people who achieve the desired results?
- Raise the Standard: The third key aspect of working against mediocrity is to continue raising the standard each month, quarter, or year. The challenge with raising the standard is that it must be challenging to reach, but not make people feel that it’s unattainable. When it’s communicated clearly, slightly raising the standard over time allows for growth by everyone in the organization. How consistently do you raise the standard and expectations?
- Eliminate Average: The fourth key aspect of working against mediocrity is to acknowledge and eliminate average. Leadership should focus on identifying where the organization is only average after collecting data and then eliminate that from the organization. By identifying areas that only align with average, it helps focus efforts on bringing up the areas of weakness for the entire organization. How consistently do you identify average areas and improve them?
- Audit the Systems: The fifth aspect of working against mediocrity is to fully audit the system each year. The simplest, most specific way is to use the Stop, Start, and Continue strategy: In order to be a great organization, what do we need to STOP doing, START doing, and CONTINUE doing? By asking this specific question, the answers provide actionable ways to improve as an organization. How consistently do you audit the entire system for success?
Complacency is perfectly acceptable for many areas of life, but in key areas of life and work, focusing on continuous improvement is often required to achieve our full potential. The people and leaders who consistently focus on key actions help move their organizations from good to great. In order to continuously improve, however, leaders need to be intentional with the actions they take each day.
What is your process for moving from good to great?