MEDIOCRITY: ENEMY OF EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS

Performance may fall short of expectations or fall below the expected standards.  It is imperative to address low performance, before the only options left are to discipline, transfer or termination, which can prove to be extremely costly.  In addition there is also the need to guard against performance mediocrity or average performance.

Mediocrity can always be achieved by being over tolerant of low standards, accepting too little accountability and setting soft targets.  An effective manager recognizes that a culture of mediocrity is the enemy of efficiency and effectiveness.  Therefore, managers should push both themselves and others to reject average or poor performance.  They should stretch for higher standards and targets.  Mediocrity can be avoided by constructively:

• challenging and
• criticizing

the existing efforts of people from time to time.  In the long term it will build team and organizational strength and performance.

 

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April 30, 2012 by Dr. Jon Warner