Exceptional Difference

You'll never see professional sports give the coach of the year award to a bad team. There is no such thing as a successful coach without the team being excellent and/or rapidly improving. The same holds true in business - everyone wins together. Hiring people smarter than yourself helps build your team, which helps build you as a leader.

While rare, there are companies who exemplify a Culture of Excellence. These aren't soft cultures where everyone coddles each other and tolerates poor performance. Rather, these are cultures where everyone holds themselves and each other to very high standards, and they help each other become the very best version of themselves. A Culture of Excellence is where everyone maniacally focuses on value to the customer, they achieve quality in the context of speed and value, they know how to stand up with courage and conviction when something needs to change, they listen, and they support. In a Culture of Excellence, data is collected and used for improvement, commitments are consistently met, and everyone shares in the feeling of being on a winning team.

I'm excited to announce that our very own best-selling author, coach, and consultant, Alan Willett, will host a free talk on Tuesday, January 10th, at noon. Alan will talk about "Exceptional You!" This chalk talk will share insights about how you can be an exceptional leader and effectively navigate ambiguity and inspire a clear vision in turbulent times. Please join us and register at https://lnkd.in/gs5RvQrM 

Architecting an exceptional business culture is similar to architecting a software system. Both require a level of intentionality that goes beyond the surface, a commitment to value and quality, and a vision that connects today's actions with tomorrow's success. Great software systems don’t happen by accident, and neither do great cultures. They’re built by leaders who: ✅ Focus on value: What truly matters to the organization, your customers, and the people within it? ✅ Prioritize quality: How do we maintain a high standard in everything we do, from processes to people development? ✅ Think strategically: What does long-term success look like, and how do we build the technical and cultural infrastructure to get there? Exceptional leaders understand that just as software architecture involves designing with users in mind, business culture is crafted by understanding and meeting the needs of your people. It’s about translating big-picture goals into actionable, people-based decisions that drive alignment, engagement, and growth. Whether you’re scaling a system or a team, the principles are the same: be intentional, prioritize what’s valuable, and never lose sight of the long-term vision.

Great advice. Exceptional leaders cultivate Cultures of Excellence where people value and elevate one another.

In times of rapid change, a select few rise to the challenge, guiding others forward. When uncertainty abounds, the "essential many" rely on the "exceptional few" to lead the way. But how can you become one of these exceptional leaders? How do you navigate ambiguity and inspire a clear vision in turbulent times? This 30-minute, free chalk talk is all about you. Join expert coach, consultant, and author Alan Willett as he explores the unique demands of standing out and leading with distinction in times of accelerated change. Alan will share three essential insights to help you become truly exceptional.  Please register at https://lnkd.in/gs5RvQrM.

The path to realizing a big dream is often long and requires patience. It is important not to give up in the face of challenges because those who ultimately succeed are not individuals who never experience failure but rather those who persevere and refuse to quit. Ignite your team's potential with our Amazon bestseller, "Unlock the Hidden Leader." This transformative book has empowered countless leaders—now it’s your turn! Ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and leadership? Click below to learn more! https://geni.us/4JmlQU #leadershipfirst #inspiration #giffordthomas

Quality doesn’t happen by accident. Nor is it a slogan, cheesy poster, or empty corporate value. Quality requires the right tools, processes, and mindsets. It requires standing on a foundation of value, using data with courage and conviction, and committing to excellence. When a Culture of Excellence is in place, Quality becomes second nature. Rework is reduced, commitments are met, customers are delighted, and engineers love to do what they do best.

Did you know that engineering principles extend beyond the realm of high-tech industries? Let's analyze the Obligations of Engineering through the lens of the Halloween movie series. Data: Exceptional engineers combine data and expert judgment with courage and conviction. In the movies, if Jamie Lee Curtis had adhered to this obligation, she would have recognized from historical data that Michael Myers wasn't truly dead. Instead of assuming he was dead and sticking around to see what happens next, she could have used this historical data and courageously taken swifter, safer actions. Speed to Value - Exceptional engineers understand the importance of quickly delivering value to their customers - not just going fast for the sake of speed. In the Halloween films, victims often ran about aimlessly, sacrificing strategy for speed. With proper planning and clear objectives, they could have achieved value by reaching safety much quicker. Applying these timeless engineering principles to unlikely scenarios again demonstrates the broad applicability of these fundamental concepts. Happy Halloween!