#26 - Why setting and maintaining appropriate standards is important!
28 Aug 24
Without setting and maintaining meaningful standards in an organisation, you are setting yourself up for failure.
There needs to be at least a minimum baseline set by the leadership which states what is acceptable and what is not.
If the leadership does not subscribe to those standards, nobody else in the organisation will.
All leaders should be setting an example. This simple act is the single most powerful way to drive standards up.
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#26 - Why setting and maintaining appropriate standards is important!
What?
One of the best speeches I have ever heard was given by the Chief of the Australian Army Lieutenant General David Morrison.
Following a spate of disciplinary issues involving misogyny, bullying and harassment he conveyed his message extremely effectively.
He left those serving in the Army in no doubt that if they were unable to abide by the standards of behaviour expected by the Army, then they should 'get out' immediately.
'The standard you walk past is the standard you accept!'
How powerful is that statement?
It challenges the 'walk on by' culture which appears to have grown slowly and silently over the years, permeating society in general.
Firstly it calls all leaders to focus on their role in setting appropriate standards relating to their environment.
Secondly, it calls on leaders to ensure that those standards are met. And if they are not, then they should be challenged.
Why?
Why is this important?
For leaders in every field, it really encapsulates and draws out the importance of accountability and responsibility.
Essentially if a leader doesn't care about driving their teams to a set of standards, then why should anyone else be bothered.
It cascades down and eventually it all falls apart because nobody cares.
Most people want to be part of an organisation which stands for something, which people want to be proud to say they are a part of.
But it takes hard work to establish and even harder work to maintain.
The simple act of all leaders setting an example has a magnifying effect throughout an organisation.
How?
The key questions to ask to determine the status of your organisation in terms of standards are:
- What is deemed to be acceptable in your organisation? This is in terms of quality of work, behaviour, reliability, time-keeping etc. There are many more areas.
- What is your organisation striving to aspire to? How are you collectively aiming to get better at what you do?
- What governance, processes and procedures are in place to underpin the environment that you wish to create?
- What assurance mechanisms are in place to apply appropriate checks and controls to monitor where you are in this?
- Are your leaders 'all in' on what you are trying to achieve? Are they invested in your Company or are they disengaged?
- How are people held to account if they fall short in maintaining those standards?
- Are your leaders setting a good example on a daily basis? This is a force multiplier if all leaders are on board.
- Is there a culture of healthy challenge in your Company? Or are issues simply overlooked and swept under the carpet?
Objectively answering the questions above should give you an indication of where your current baseline is.
This should then allow you to formulate a plan to strengthen what you do well, and overhaul what you don't do well.
In Summary
I hope that you enjoyed reading this newsletter and that it has given you food for thought.
An organisation without standards is not an organisation worth being employed by.
I would suggest it will be short-lived as your employees will be disengaged and staff turnover will be high.
Your products will also be poor. Customers will pick up on this and take their business elsewhere.
It is the duty of all leaders to set and maintain the standards required so your Company can grow as appropriate.
Remember:
'The standard you walk past is the standard you accept!'
Have a great week!
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