Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be truly exceptional? For some of us this feels like an ideal that isn’t obtainable. However, the good news is that being exceptional is not only doable, it does not require superhuman ability.
Whether for yourself or members of your team, it is important to start with the realization and commitment that you can be exceptional. For some the thought is to keep your head down and do what is required versus stretching for the best. A jewelry store we work with put it this way, “Even if the client won’t notice that something is not right, we strive to create the best jewelry we can.”
Another barrier to being exceptional is fear of failure. As leaders, we must resist the temptation to stay comfortable and follow the status quo. There will always be risk in trying something new or encouraging your team members to innovate, but the rewards are much higher when we succeed. Even when things do not go well, there are great opportunities to learn from these experiences.
Further, being exceptional means that we cannot have a transactional mindset to our work. Just going through the motions to complete our workday without intention will not lead to anything exceptional. Instead, it is critical to engage fully in the work we are doing. Consider the approach you are using to have a more impactful outcome and ask questions about the implications of the information you are gathering. Engaging in work brings the best of our experience, knowledge and skills to deliver extraordinary results.
Finally, leaders must stay connected to those they serve. To be exceptional means knowing not only the technical aspect of the work, but also the human element as well. This duality highlights the balance strong leaders must hold to use technological advances to serve the needs of others. The intersection of these leadership strengths will invariably lead to exceptional work for yourself, and your team.
