We are told that habits take 21 days to develop. We often have both good and bad habits.
Why does it seem so easy to break good habits and so hard when it comes to bad ones?
Aristotle is credited with saying, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Spiritual leadership is about excellence. Excellence is a habit worth developing!
If you would like a recommendation for a good book on habits, read Atomic Habits by James Clear.
One of the most compelling words associated with leadership is excellence. By definition, excellence refers to “the fact or state of excelling, superiority, eminence.” The concept is often identified as the pursuit of a place or position that is superior in nature to a previous one.
However, leaders are challenged to develop and identify excellence a bit differently in their leadership. Marcus Buckingham says, “Excellence has its own pattern, you have to learn and study it.”
To think of excellence as a position or destination falls short of recognizing the lifelong pursuit characterized by the passion to continually grow in excellence.
People often want to not only have the best, they want to be the best. We hear thoughts like, “Be the best you can be,” or “Do the best you can do.”
The challenge comes in how we define “best.”
Pursuing excellence is a different mindset, yet one worth pursuing.
The pursuit of excellence provides consistency to leadership.
Pursuing excellence acknowledges the present situation and need. It demands that we strive to learn and improve. And pursuing excellence strives to constantly make proper application.
We should give thought to the direction of our leadership.
Making a difference in our life and in others is an excellent pursuit.
Everyone wants the best. We want the best technology. We want the best car. We want the best clothes and food. We want the best service. We want the BEST!
The problem comes in defining “the best.”
The bottom line? The definition is subjective. The best for one person may not be the best for another.
Additionally, what is the basis for the definition? Will the best be defined by work effort? Cost? Achievement? Time spent?
When considering leadership, one might think the pursuit of the best is the right direction. However, it depends on the definition and the foundation of the definition.
Instead, let’s try pursuing excellence.
Whatever happened to the mindset of excellence, the desire to go above and beyond, to do something well because it is the right thing to do?
The answer is subjective, but still we wonder, “Why?”
Why is it allowed?
Why is it easier to go with the flow?
Why are we comfortable with the status quo?.
It is time leaders set a better example, to live consistent with their expectations of others, and to motivate followers by working beside them instead of lording over them.
Anything worth doing is worth doing right, and anything worth doing right is worthy of excellence.
Developing a mindset focused on the pursuit of excellence involves a couple of ideas.
Dedication: Any pursuit in life requires dedication, and this is true of excellence. The task is not easy, but worth it.
Take 5: Build a routine that sets aside five minutes everyday to focus on an area of excellence.
Read, read, read…listen, listen, listen: This one stands alone!
Rule of the last 10%: Too many get to 90% and coast to the finish line. Excellence requires finishing well.
Develop the habit: Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act. It is a habit.”
We want the best technology, best car, best clothes, best food, best service, best leadership. We want the BEST!
The problem enters when defining “the best.” The best for one person may not be the best for another.
In addition, what is the basis for our definition? Will the best be defined by work effort? Cost? Achievement? Time spent?
Instead of thinking this way, consider the pursuit of excellence. This pursuit provides a consistency to leadership. Pursuing excellence…
Acknowledges the present situation and need.
Creates a desire to learn and improve.
Pushes you to make proper application.
Will make a difference in your life and in others.
To excel involves being exceptionally good at or proficient in an activity or subject. Paul encouraged the church at Thessalonica to “excel still more.”
Leaders should always strive to excel, to improve their character and influence.
Leaders need to encourage followers with an appeal to excel still more in their work.
Leaders should remember that striving for excellence does not mean they will be perfect.
We must desire to improve who we are and what we do, no matter how good we are or how well we are able to achieve any task.
We should always seek God’s help to excel.