Illegitimi Non Carborundum and the Expectation of Excellence
“Illegitimi Non Carborundum” – in mock Latin this means, “don’t let the bastards get you down!” In practicing and managing many or all of the 12 Issues Managers Face in the Workplace, you’ll notice a few additional issues to contend with.
The most significant issue is that you will be demanding excellence from yourself, and expecting excellence in your team and organization.
Individual Effect
Once you give yourself permission to bring your “A game” every day, you’ll wake up refreshed and excited to get going on your work. Problem is, you might find those around you a bit surprised that you are so motivated. Especially if you hadn’t been bringing that “A game” so often. This change is not that different from getting a new haircut, a new pair of glasses, or losing a lot of weight. People will see you differently, experience you in a different way. You’ll act different. Most importantly, you will feel different!
Team Effect
If your team isn’t used to being accountable for delivering projects on time, on budget and with superior quality, this expectation of excellence will be a big change. Resistance will be shown, or not (think passive/aggressive) and a certain ‘soreness’ like a workout, will be felt. Keeping tight to goals and objectives will require your team to either get on the train, or feel left behind. Know that this is their issue, not yours.
I heard a story a few weeks ago about a team that went through some wrenching ‘excellence’ changes. One of the biggest resistors started wearing a tie a few months into the changes. When asked why he voluntarily started dressing more professionally, he said, “Things are better now. I have a new level of excellence to attain. I want to wear a tie.” The employee made the unprompted change. This change in dress code was not part of any methodology or excellence plan.
Organization Effect
Others in organizations are more reactive than proactive. Giving and requiring excellence are proactive and will bring out some significant reactions in your organization. You’ll start getting inputs on time. People will improve their quality to you, knowing that it will come back if they don’t produce. Others will openly try to pick apart everything you do. Remember, you have to deliver more excellence that you could ever expect to receive. There should never be any question of excellence in your work. Let the naysayers do what they wish – excellence is the path to accomplishing your goals and the mission of your organization.
Remember: “Illegitimi Non Carborundum!”
_________
Be ready for the change around you when you start to change. Be a student of the game! Keep your stance of curiosity. You will be amazed at what a difference one person, one team, can make in an organization. There is no need to defend excellence.
Stumble it!
Joe Raasch :: Mar.22.2008 :: Change Management, Employee Engagement, Leadership, Organizational Development, Performance Management :: 5 Comments »
Hello, Joe,
I really liked the challenge at the end: “Be a student of the game that is work, and keep your stance of curiosity.”
We hear lots of talk about “learning organizations” but the truth is, performance lies within each individual.
It’s kind of fascinating to think that people hunker down to gain degrees, advanced degrees, and to learn “the craft.” But they often spend little time mastering the dynamics of the surroundings in which they must apply it.
Good one. . .
Once you give yourself permission to bring your “A game” every day, you’ll wake up refreshed and excited to get going on your work.
I’m not entirely convinced this really works this easy for everyone, I can see it be succesfull for a while, but in the end, if you’re not bringing you’re “A game” every day, you are probably a miscasting.
I really do believe that getting yourself exctited about work starts with finding a job where you trully like the new, and this takes vision and sometimes a fair amount of courage.
Only if you make that step and find that right role will you start learning and contributing as you should. Stumbledupon (that even a word :p?) a funny video earlier today about red monkeys… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5eEH4O74eQ … I guess if you wanna be an addition to your organization ya gonna have to like making and supporting innovative ideas. Just my thoughts…
McNeal
Hi Steve,
Making that move from textbook/workshop/seminar to practice is difficult at best. Possessing that desire to learn – always having a stance of curiosity and willingness to understand the game at hand – can take a person a long way!
Thanks for your change inspiration and your contributions!
McNeal,
Thanks for stopping by! You are correct – bringing one’s “A game” each day is not easy. Allowing one’s self to take on the right job, where the “A game” brought is valued and applicable, is a tough find. Most of us want to work and accept jobs that are offered to us. How many truly pursue just the right ‘fit’ and interview companies along the way?
I love the red monkey concept! Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Joe
Hey Joe,
you are exactly right, that crucial step of finding the right fit has to be there.
I guess if you start bringing your A game to work, but if after a while you just can’t muster the energy to do this no more… might be a good indicator that you probably need to find a different role either in your current organisation or elsewhere.
McNeal
Hi McNeal,
“Fit” to role is a big part of working to our best capabilities. One could be an “C” player as a concert violininst but be an “A” player as a symphony conductor. We all have our “A” game – the challenge is to find the right place to bring it. I recommend reading Smart’s “Topgrading” book.
Thank you for continuing the conversation!
- Joe