Good leaders know the difference and act decisively to prevent mediocrity from taking root.
I stumbled across a daily leadership email from Admired Leadership a couple of years ago. An email in the past few days about permitting mediocrity resonated. It’s worth a summary:
The article distinguishes between mistakes and mediocrity. Mistakes are unintentional errors caused by a lack of knowledge, skill, or oversight, and they are seen as opportunities for growth and learning. Mediocrity, however, is a state of consistent underperformance and complacency, reflecting a lack of effort to meet standards of excellence.
Good leaders are patient with mistakes, addressing their root causes and guiding improvement. However, they actively reject mediocrity, challenging individuals to raise their performance and combat complacency. Leaders confront mediocrity through feedback, coaching, and setting goals, emphasizing that average work is unacceptable. They understand that tolerating mediocrity can harm the team or organization while addressing it fosters a culture of excellence.
I’ve added some questions for you to consider and evaluate if you are sanctioning mediocrity:
- Am I consistently setting clear and high expectations for performance and holding my team accountable for meeting them?
This helps evaluate whether standards of excellence are being communicated and enforced. - Do I give my team regular, constructive feedback and actionable improvement plans, or are we avoiding difficult conversations about underperformance?
This ensures leaders are addressing complacency rather than tolerating it. - Am I actively recognizing and promoting examples of excellence while also identifying and addressing patterns of inattention, sloppiness, or inactivity?
This ensures mediocrity is not normalized by a lack of recognition for excellence or by ignoring subpar behaviors. - Am I equipping my team with the resources, training, and support they need to overcome mistakes and grow professionally?
This evaluates whether mistakes are being treated as opportunities for learning rather than being ignored or punished. - Am I fostering a culture where improvement, innovation, and collaboration are prioritized over comfort and maintaining the status quo?
This determines if the school climate encourages striving for excellence or allows complacency to persist.
Mistakes are growth opportunities, but you undermine a culture of excellence if you tolerate mediocrity. You fail in your obligation to the students and families you serve. You must address complacency head-on, fostering an environment where high standards are expected and supported.