Institutionalized Excellence
Institutionalized mediocrity
Is easy.
It shows up naturally
In the absence of clear standards
And high bars.
With little focus and effort
Behavior quickly regresses
Towards a low mean.
Institutionalized excellence
Conversely
Takes everything you have.
Daily intention
Daily renewal
Daily commitment
Shared among the group.
Getting knocked down
And getting back up
As a group.
Losing
Learning
And improving
As a group.
All the while
Mediocrity lies in wait.
Ready to pick off members
One at a time
Until it overwhelms.
The far end of the bell curve
Is thinly populated
For good reason.
Are you committed
To excellence
Or mediocrity?
Unfortunately
There isn’t a sustainable
Middle ground
Between the two.