I believe that there are three main contributing factors that keep a team on track and continually allow them to perform at the level they are capable of. This is about:
1. Individual and team standards
2. Managing external expectations
3. Controlling the controllables
People who really want to be in your life will rise up to meet them.”
– Ziad K. Abdelnour –
What we can control, are our own standards, not the expectations that others have of us.
Our standards should be quite simply a 100% effort and no less in all things we do.
As a team, we do not except anything less from ourselves or our team mates.
100% effort is the standard.
Standards are not words, a piece of paper, or a two day course you complete, it is something that is required each and every day.
Using a sporting environment analogy, if this weekends game was the grand final, would you play any differently and lift for that grand final?
The answer should be a resounding NO.
You play to your highest standard regardless of the competition, regardless of the ground, regardless of the calibre of player you’re playing against.
You cannot control what others do, but you can control being disciplined enough to give your best effort and maintain your own-highest standards.
But first, you need to decide if that is something that you want.
If that is something that you deserve.
If that is something that you feel you have worked hard enough for.
This is a perception and mindset shift where a large percentage of people don’t actually feel that they are worthy of a better quality of life and their own version of success.
Standards are set from within, not what others expect from you.
Have expectations and standards for yourself and your team mates, however, do not listen to the expectations of others (fans, critics, media, opposition etc), because as soon as you do, that starts to breed assumptions and excuses, both of which lead to poor performance and your mind being distracted from the task at hand and time away from the things that you can actually control.
The teamwork and the culture of your organisation is determined by what happens inside and not what happens outside. Avoid investing to much energy worrying about things that are outside of your control. The only thing you can control is your inner sanctum and your own standards, so leave the uncontrollable constants from the outside world and focus within.
A great team is born from the standards that they create and what the peer group are willing to accept, not by what society or your competition dictates should be the standard. These are outside of your control and should be given NO mental energy or time.
All too often, employees will lower their standards to match those of people in similar positions and what society dictates is the norm. If you have decided to have higher standards, then you cannot compare yourself to anyone else.
Every high performing team I have worked with, sets rules and standards that each team member agrees to and are held accountable to. Because of this, they are prepared to go further, try harder to achieve the desired result, both individually and as a team.
The standards they set will depend on the amount of work they’re willing to put in and the goals they wish to achieve.
Remember that only you can raise your own standards.
Doing so starts with first making a choice and identifying that things need to change.
You should be looking to improve and grow from the following weeks performance and never settling for anything less.
Click on the link below to listen to the chapter in my audiobook about keeping your head and your standards high.
http://beyoubegreat.com.au/get-in-touch/
Have a great week ahead.
Ritch