I pay attention to trends. When a word or idea pops up a couple of times, I take notice.
Recently, a team member sent me this quote:
“As a manager, you play a critical part in either perpetuating mediocrity or helping your team break free in pursuit of extraordinary.” – Art Petty, executive coach
Mediocrity is a dirty word. If you are in a mediocre state, the chances are great that you are sliding toward failure. Why do I say that?
Mediocre, to me, means someone is settling. If you can describe a situation as mediocre, it means it has already been mediocre too long. It indicates there is no current effort to change the momentum. Without an effort to shift a bad situation to a better place, it’s going to get worse. It won’t stay stuck at mediocre.
Mediocre doesn’t inspire. Mediocre doesn’t motivate. Mediocre doesn’t cause extra effort.
Interestingly, that same day, I came across a quote from a friend of mine, Brett Trapp, who said:
“To dominate your job, ask, ‘What is mediocre here that everyone else is oblivious to, and how can I work to fix it?’”
Attacking mediocrity is the essence of our efforts to become lean. As an organization, how well do we name the mediocre processes in which we are engaged? If the answer is “not often,” we are on our way to losing in the market.
Let’s not be resigned to being mediocre. Let’s name the mediocre. Let’s attack it and make it better. It will help us dominate our jobs and our competition.
