This is a series of thoughts addressing the theme of excellence based on a famous quote from Rita Mae Brown, the American novelist and activist. She stated that “You cannot invest your life’s spirit into a compromise” and over the next few weeks I want to visit some of the key components of this viewpoint and how it relates to your practice.
My thought goes to an experiment in education that was conducted way back in a time when ethics allowed such a study. I think it was called the Spurt Kids study. They took a group of children of the same grade and randomly separated them into two groups. They gave Group A to a teacher and said that these were gifted children and high achievers so do your best. Group B were given to another equally qualified and experienced teacher who was told that, sorry but these are under achieving children – do your best.
As you have probably guessed, at the end of the study period they reviewed the children on all the usual performance criteria and Group A far exceeding the performance of Group B. The expectations of the teachers had a massive influence on the outcomes of the children.
Likewise in your practice, raise the bar by surrounding yourself with people who expect more of you. Set your sights high and commit to these sights. At the same time expect the very best in each person on your team including your practice members.
Expect people to perform at excellence in all areas of their life and in most circumstances they will.
