Leadership Thought #470 – Leave The Excuses For Non-Performance to Others

We have become an excuse-making culture.

I have been a bit frustrated lately with the quality of service provided by various contractors and service providers. It appears that there is a minimal connection between what people promise and what they actually do. Excuses abound as work doesn’t get done and/or quality issues emerge. There is a sloppiness entering our work dynamic, which doesn’t bode well for anyone. When did individuals stop taking pride in their work? We are not that far removed from a difficult recession, and it is as if people couldn’t care less that it wasn’t that long ago that their job security was in jeopardy. There is a pervasive negative attitude about work, which is troubling on many different levels. If employees are not fully engaged in their performance, it might be worth considering the use of technology or alternative methods. And, if everyone is mediocre, then why not, as a consumer, always opt for the low-priced solution?

The basic formula for success in life and work is simple. Do what you say you’ll do, when you say you’ll do it, and do it well. Commit to your commitments. It isn’t that hard, or at least it shouldn’t be. However, it feels as if our societal priorities have shifted to value the concerns of the individual much more than what he/she contributes to others. We accept excuses and rationalizations as commonplace behavior with minimal or no consequences. It doesn’t surprise me that the more individuals focus on their own lot in life rather than what they do for others, the less happy they become in their work (and in other aspects of life). Results do matter. The best way to improve your sense of self-worth is by constructively benefiting others. All work has value, and anyone can take pride in what they do.

The goal of any business leader should be to achieve high performance. It’s far too easy to be average or mediocre. Most companies are indistinguishable from one another, so they just ride the boom and get swallowed by the bust. Sadly, these days, just doing your job professionally will make you stand out. The good news is that market share is available as dissatisfied customers seek more dependable ways to fulfill their needs. Leave the excuses for non-performance to others and take their customers from them!