There are Two Paths to Excellence – Getting it Right or Making it Right!

I am sure you all have had the opportunity to enjoy peak experiences. An experience like a conference, task, meeting, vacation, or even a dinner where everything just fell into place that made it memorable, impactful, and one for the books. Other times, what started out as a mediocre (at best!) experience became extraordinary. Recently I had the opportunity to visit The Breakers in West Palm Beach, FL. Known as one of the premier hotels in the world, The Breakers is the epitome of Getting it Right (they even have little caddies for their silverware so that the utencils do not touch the table - who does that?!?!?). This got me thinking out loud about what made the difference between the two. It all comes down to either GETTING it right in the first place or MAKING it right.

In terms of Getting it Right, we can think of all sorts of analogies. Why some sport teams always seem to triumph, why some hotel chains are synonymous with excellence, or why some products or services always top the list. I believe like most things, it all comes down to leadership. Getting it Right leaders have the following characteristics common to their success regardless of their industry:

PREPARATION –

This means starting out with MINDSET of quality in word and deed.

A KNOWLEDGE BASE that is intentionally developed to determine best practices.

A SKILL SET that is practiced and refined daily to meet needs or customer demands.

PLANNING –

This requires an ATTENTION TO DETAIL that covers all the bases.

Constantly asking, “WHAT ELSE?” in terms of what more can we do to add value.

Even better, as a road manager of a national touring act taught me years ago, the ”Stupid Idiot Check” that disciplines us to ask what are we missing!

EXECUTION –

An ENTHUSIASTIC implementation of the plan or initiative.

Being ADAPTABLE to changing conditions and situations.

Keeping the “MAIN THING the main thing” as leadership expert John Maxwell encourages us to do. In other words, not getting side tracked and distracted or even tempted to cut corners.

Sometimes, however, as leaders we need to MAKE it Right. This happens when we make the inevitable errors or when something even beyond our control prevents us from doing our very best. When that happens, leaders become problem solves and commit to the following:

• ADMITTING when the very best effort was not presented or offered.
• CORRECTING mistakes or errors or making up for the less than optimal conditions.
• EXCEEDING expectations when offering alternatives and consolations.

 Often I am more impressed by the leader who does these due to the sense of ownership in the services, product, etc. they offer.

If I can help you and the people you associate with Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD, I would invite you to visit my website below and see if any of the training or coaching experiences I offer can provide an impact! Also, as a bonus, if you go to my Out Loud Strategies website (www.outloudinc.com) and enter your contact information, I will send you a FREE guide to establishing a mentoring initiative program in your organization! Such an initiative would be critical in order to add value to your organization!

Yours in Leadership,

Bill Faulkner

Co-Founder – Out Loud Strategies

Independent Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team ^TM

Email = bill@outloudinc.com

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