28. |
Be Exceptional |
Whether you’re an entry-level intern, an account executive, a senior VP, or the CEO, I have a news flash for you — “good enough” is no longer good enough.
In the twenty-first-century workplace, with its fierce global competition and the abundance of well-qualified people vying for jobs, what was once considered acceptable — that is, “good” — no longer works. If you want to excel in your career, you’ll need to raise your standards. You’ll need to become exceptional.
Look around. The hugely successful companies are performing in an exceptional manner. Apple immediately comes to mind, especially since I’ve been a diehard Mac user and Apple fan for many years.
One of the things that has made Apple great is the elegance of their products, as anyone who has ever used them knows. The late Steve Jobs insisted on designing elegant, easy-to-use goods. At a time when all the emphasis was on technology, Apple designed user-friendly products that people enjoyed. Their user base became missionaries, singing Apple’s praises to anyone who’d listen.
Many other companies have done the same and distinguished themselves in the marketplace by offering superior products and services. Zappos took over the online shoe business in just such a manner, as did Amazon with books and more.
In food service, companies such as Panera Bread and Starbucks have raised the bar, forcing their competitors to do better. Even McDonalds now offers premium coffee and is making a sincere attempt to offer healthier food choices.
In the hotel industry, the difference between a good hotel and a great one is often simply a matter of offering turndown service and placing mints on the pillows.
What can you do to raise the bar for yourself and add more value to your company? One way is to consistently challenge yourself by asking, “How might I improve this process?” or, “What can we do to deliver even better service?”
If you continue to raise the bar, for yourself and your organization, not only will you be a more valuable employee to your company or, if you’re an entrepreneur, more successful in your own business but you’ll also have more fun in the process. We typically derive more pleasure from those things we are good at.