Acceptance of mediocrity is the real enemy of greatness

If you ask anyone, in any company around the world, what could be done better, you will always get at least one answer - if not many. “Better” can be measured in all kinds of different ways: better financial results, better engagement between staff and management, better career growth, better culture to work in. Since most of us agree that these potential improvements are there to be made, it seems strange that so many of them aren’t progressing - which is where the acceptance of mediocrity comes in. As long as we continue to accept less-than-high standards from ourselves and our colleagues, even with small things, the bigger things will never significantly improve. Examples of such acceptance include:

• No pushback when something is late or of poor quality
• Lack of accountability when the same problems occur repeatedly
• Acceptance of an “excuse based” rather than “results focused” approach (I didn’t do what I said I would, but it’s OK because I have an excuse)
• Allowing our managers to appease us rather than help resolve our issues (placatory response not backed up by tangible action)

There can be many reasons why we are prepared to accept mediocrity from our colleagues. Some are:

• A desire to keep harmony and not cause conflict (this can also be linked to a desire to be liked)
• The “It’s not my job to question/resolve this” approach
• A genuine lack of concern

We get what we accept

In work, as well as in life, we will generally get what we accept - so if we genuinely want to improve something, that means we have to stop accepting the way it is now. “Stop accepting” doesn’t mean a flat refusal, which would most likely create friction and unhealthy conflict; it does mean, however, at least raising “I don’t think this is good enough”. You can’t change a culture overnight, but you do have to start somewhere.

Many small improvements leads to big success

When preparing for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the England team agreed that anyone who didn’t turn up ten minutes early for a meeting was considered to be late, and would receive a forfeit accordingly. This wasn’t decided by the coach, but by the team themselves - a great example of team members identifying an area where they wanted a high standard, and doing something about it themselves. With this disciplined approach applied here and to many other areas, the team eventually emerged as the World Cup winners. Every single such element in their preparation gave them another tiny edge towards achieving that victory.

We are all responsible

Comments made on some of my recent articles indicate that like so many issues in the workplace, many of us agree that improvement is needed, but are waiting for “someone else” to sort it out. Individuals are waiting for their managers to improve collaboration; managers are waiting for their team members to improve their attitude; everyone is waiting for the CEO to sort out the culture (these are just a few examples from my own experience). This doesn’t work - as the phrase goes, “no man is an island” and if we are going to improve anything, everyone can and must play their part.

The goal is greatness, not gratitude

As the refusal to accept mediocrity does not appear to be the accepted norm, it’s important to be aware that your colleagues are unlikely to thank you (initially, at least) for taking this approach. So don’t expect anyone to come up to you in the near future and say “Thanks for pointing out that I don’t really have a decent reason for failing to produce that report on time”. The goal is not to be revered or popular, but to try and drive forward a culture of high quality. As with so many things, it just needs people who are prepared to make a start, however big or small. It’s also fundamental that we recognise that it’s not just others this applies to - we are often most accepting of mediocrity from ourselves.

The time to begin is now

So, if you are not already doing this, then this week at work try identifying examples of where you or your colleagues are delivering in a mediocre manner, and have a think about what you could do to improve that. Above all, keep in mind that if you are not prepared to take action yourself, you have no right to expect anything to get better.