Excellence: It's Not Just a Standard, It's a Habit

As we approach Labor Day and wrap up our mid-year performance reviews, many of us are reflecting on the past months and setting our sights on the future. In my conversations with those I coach, the word “excellence” has come up repeatedly. It’s clear that excellence is not just a buzzword but a cornerstone of building a strong personal brand and advancing in one’s career, particularly in a leadership role.

But what does excellence look like in practice? Let’s start with a real-world comparison.

A Tale of Two Project Managers

There are two project managers working on a high-stakes deliverable. The first, Alex, is responsible for providing input on a slide in the final presentation deck. Without asking detailed questions or fully understanding the context, Alex inputs his numbers—unaware that the rest of the deck uses euros as the unit of currency, while his figures are in dollars. The detail about the currency is mentioned in a small footnote at the beginning of the deck, but Alex goes straight to his slide, adds his input, and considers his job done.

In contrast, Jamie, another project manager, takes a different approach. Before adding any content, Jamie carefully reviews the entire presentation, checks the footnotes, and asks clarifying questions. While going through the slides, Jamie notices a discrepancy—the numbers on Alex’s slide show an unexpected increase that doesn’t align with the rest of the deck. Jamie immediately flags this and goes back to Alex to ask questions, discovering the currency discrepancy. Together, they correct the issue, avoiding a major deliverable quality problem.

The main difference between Alex and Jamie is rooted in two critical factors:

A habit of excellence and a mindset of accountability.

Jamie’s habit of paying attention to details, asking clarifying questions, and taking ownership of the entire deliverable drives behavior that ensures high-quality outcomes. In contrast, Alex’s focus on just completing his part of the task without fully understanding the broader context results in a near miss of a significant error.

Defining Excellence, Quality, in the Project Environment

Excellence in a project environment goes beyond just completing tasks—it’s about delivering work that is accurate, reliable, and adds value. Quality means considering every detail, mitigating risks, and ensuring that the final deliverable is something you’re proud to stand behind. Excellence involves setting a high standard for your work and consistently striving to meet or exceed that standard.

I recently heard on a podcast that “In today’s market, regardless of the price you're offering or the products you're delivering, quality is expected.” Quality is no longer a differentiator; it’s a baseline. In a competitive environment where quality is assumed, your ability to make excellence a habit is what sets you apart and defines your personal brand.

Excellence is not just a one-time achievement; it’s a habit. When you consistently practice excellence, it becomes ingrained in how you approach every task. This habit of excellence influences not only your work but also the work of those around you. By making excellence your habit, you lead by example and inspire others to adopt the same mindset.

This is how you build a culture of quality, where every team member understands that excellence is the only acceptable standard. In such an environment, the focus shifts from simply meeting expectations to consistently exceeding them, which, in turn, drives the long-term success of your projects and your leadership.

Why Excellence Is Important for Leadership

For leaders, excellence is more than a personal standard—it’s essential for effective leadership. Leading by example, holding yourself and your team accountable to the highest standards, and ensuring that quality is the baseline for all work are critical leadership responsibilities.

A commitment to excellence minimizes risks, builds trust with your team and stakeholders, and drives success by setting clear expectations and standards.

The Introvert’s Advantage: Quality and Excellence

Introverts naturally excel in environments where deep focus, attention to detail, and thoughtful decision-making are valued. These qualities align perfectly with the pursuit of excellence.

Advantages for Introverts:

Deep Focus: Introverts thrive in tasks that require sustained concentration, allowing them to catch mistakes and produce work of exceptional quality.
Attention to Detail: Introverts are often more attuned to the finer details, which is crucial when striving for excellence.
Thoughtful Decision-Making: Introverts tend to carefully consider all aspects of a situation before making decisions, leading to higher-quality outcomes.

Challenges for Introverts:

Visibility: While introverts excel at producing high-quality work, they may struggle with promoting their achievements. In a project environment, they may need to be more proactive in showcasing their contributions.
Networking: Building relationships and networking can be challenging for introverts, potentially limiting opportunities to demonstrate their commitment to excellence.

Learning from the Best: Introverted Leaders Who Emphasize Quality

Some of the world’s most successful leaders are introverts who have made excellence their standard.

Bill Gates

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, is known for his introverted nature. Gates’s focus on the quality of his work and his long-term vision for the company have been pivotal to Microsoft’s success. His commitment to excellence has cemented his legacy in the tech industry.

Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors globally, is another introverted leader who prioritizes excellence. Buffett’s meticulous approach to investing and his insistence on understanding every detail before making decisions have contributed to his legendary status in the financial world.

Conclusion: Excellence as a Path to Leadership

In today’s competitive environment, excellence is not just an option—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, committing to quality is what will distinguish you as a leader.

Excellence should be your only standard. Everything that passes through your hands should reflect this commitment to quality. This is how you build trust, gain respect, and pave the way for long-term success.

Tips for Developing Excellence as a Habit:

Ask Clarifying Questions: Never assume—always seek to understand the full context of your work.
Pay Attention to Detail: Double-check your work and the work of others to catch any potential errors.
Hold Yourself Accountable: Take ownership of the quality of the entire deliverable, not just your part.
Lead by Example: Set high standards for yourself and encourage your team to do the same.

Let’s make excellence not just a goal but a way of life.

Key takeaway: Excellence is a habit rooted in accountability, attention to detail, and ownership. It shapes not only your work but also the culture around you, enabling leadership that consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.