Let's Talk Standards

I am always amazed at how each day takes on a theme.

As practices have begun I have drawn attention to standards. We can all talk a good game about standards. We identify what ideal standards are in the form of goals we set.

My team has heard me state "anyone can set goals." That's the easy part. Defining the process necessary to achieve your goals and adhering to that process is the difficult part.

Actions are stronger than words and a standard is not what you say it will be; a standard is what you demonstrate it will be. A standard is not what you preach, but what you practice. A standard is what you allow and or do not allow to happen on your watch.

If we do not adhere to high standards we have no right to expect others to adhere to high standards. We should never lower a standard to accommodate someone who refuses to raise their own standard. Why make something less of ourselves when the focus should be on continuously and constantly raising everyone's standards to new heights?

I believe this is the foundation for the principle that ascribes one should surround him or her self with people who will make one a better person. As John Kerr wrote in Legacy, better people make better people, better organizations, better society.

So, even though the day is still quite young its theme seems to be standards. This has come up in readings, conversations and in general since I first awoke. And of course, it has now come up in my writings.