Excellence: A Standard, Not A Destination

Excellence is one of the most frequently used words in leadership, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Too often, excellence is treated as a finish line, a title, or a moment of recognition. In reality, excellence is none of those things. Excellence is a standard we choose to live by, not a trophy we earn or a destination we reach. I know in my own career that the pursuit of excellence was a major driving force behind my daily task.  Excellence as a standard can be difficult to maintain, especially working in an environment where  average is acceptable.  

At its core, excellence is not about perfection. It is about intentional, disciplined improvement—small steps taken consistently over time. Excellence is built in the quiet moments when no one is watching, in the decisions we make when shortcuts are available, and in the effort we give when there is no immediate reward. It is not a single act, but a pattern of behavior repeated day after day. Paraphrasing Vince Lombardi who is one of the most noted NFL legendary coaches “Everyday we will pursue perfection, knowing full well we will not reach this goal, but in the pursuit of perfection we will find excellence.”

A simple way to understand excellence is through the questions we ask ourselves. I describe excellence as simple small steps of being better.  Are we better today than we were yesterday? Are we doing our work better than before? Can we be better in how we think, how we communicate, and how we lead? Is there a better way to handle this situation, serve this person, or approach this challenge? Excellence begins with honest self-reflection and a willingness to confront our own habits and performance without excuses.

Excellence is almost always the result of small, incremental improvements rather than dramatic change. It is found in preparing a little more thoroughly, listening a little more attentively, responding with intention instead of reacting emotionally, and holding ourselves to a higher personal standard even when no one is holding us accountable. These small actions compound over time, shaping our habits, strengthening our character, and ultimately defining the level of excellence we bring to our work and our lives.

The pursuit of excellence requires intentionality and intensity. It does not happen by accident. We do not drift into excellence, and we do not stumble into high standards. Excellence demands clarity about what better looks like, consistency in doing the right things repeatedly, accountability to ourselves before others intervene, and humility to accept that there is always more to learn. Intensity in our commitment to not settle for less.  The moment we believe we have arrived is the moment we will learn that we have more work to do.  Excellence is not for the faint of heart.

Excellence is a mindset, not an outcome. It is not defined by titles, rank, recognition, or success as the world measures it. Those things may acknowledge excellence, but they do not create it. Excellence is revealed in how we prepare, how we treat people under pressure, how we respond to failure and feedback, and how committed we are to improving when improvement is uncomfortable. The great thing about excellence is that it is an equalizer of talent. The pursuit of excellence rewards those who may not be the most talented by allowing them to perform at high levels.  

To pursue excellence is to commit to lifelong standards and growth. It means understanding that today’s best effort may not be sufficient tomorrow and being willing to adjust, refine, and improve. Excellence is not about comparison or competition with others. It is about being better than we were and refusing to settle for stagnation. Excellence is not a destination we arrive at; it is a continual pursuit we choose every day. Ask your-self? Am I seeking excellence in all that I do?