Drive for perfection, yet strive toward excellence?
A guy who viewed himself as one of the most laid-back “happy go-lucky” executives in the world asked himself this question upon recuperating in the hospital from an unexpected bypass heart operation. How could the ticker lose its tock now, when it he had survived the early pressures of the infancy days of FEDEX losing $1million a month and when Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken threatened to go on the Johnny Carson show and blow the new CEO out of the water because he planned to change the formula of the gravy!
Frank shares his reflections in:
PERFECTION VS. EXCELLENCE
Perfection is being right.
Excellence is willing to be wrong.
Perfection is fear.
Excellence is taking a risk.
Perfection is anger and frustration.
Excellence is powerful.
Perfection is control.
Excellence is spontaneous.
Perfection is judgement.
Excellence is accepting.
Perfection is taking.
Excellence is giving.
Perfection is doubt.
Excellence is confidence.
Perfection is pressure.
Excellence is natural.
Perfection is the destination.
Excellence is the journey.
Written by Frank Maguire
The original Senior Vice President of Industrial Relations for Federal Express, Frank Maguire is credited by
CEO, Fred Smith, as creating the corporate culture that resulted in FEDEX being named “The Top Corporation of the Decade” by Fortune Magazine.
Thanks for asking! Just a quick note. When you are disappointed by employee performance (or your own), examine your expectations. Are your sights on perfection, which no one can attain, or excellence which we can all strive toward?
Oftentimes, we become angry, resentful and intolerant… all because our expectations are unachievable. So, the next time you are frustrated in someone or your self, look to the expectation you had. If it was perfection, try switching to excellence…you’ll find you and the people around you will become much happier and more motivated.