Over the past few weeks I have been doing a good bit of reading, thinking, and note-taking on the USAF’s Core Values of integrity, excellence, and service, and thought it time to actually try to come up with something worthy of writing and then I came across a couple thoughts while reading a Bible study.
It is a basic premise that leaders should always pursue excellence. Leaders lead our organizations, our families, our businesses, our classrooms, and our lives; striving for the best— striving for excellence.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.” Whatever our role, our position, our organization, or our lot in life, we should strive for excellence. I know—easier said than done. Our measure of success should not be attached to a particular rank, position, career, or earnings but on our character and what we give to others or to our chosen field. This attitude takes practice, and at times goes against our very nature, but are we seeking to be status quo or heroic leaders?
ex·cel·lence
ˈeksələns/
noun
noun: excellence
1.the quality of being outstanding or extremely good.
Excellence does not mean being the best, but being our best. Understanding that variation is huge. Excellence is being better than we were yesterday. Excellence means matching our practice with our potential.
Some people have fame thrust upon them, but very few have excellence thrust upon them. Excellence is achieved. What will we do to have people say, like they said of Jesus, “Everything he does is wonderful”?
They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” –Mark 7:37, NLT
Mastermind Century Group 
Great stuff! I have also been pondering core values in preparation for the next job, and have been reading “Leading From the Second Chair,” recommended by Chad Manske. The book mentions the plight of Joseph and how he overcame being sold into slavery to become second only to the Pharaoh: “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne wil i be greater than you” (Gen 41:40). Although it must be inferred, the Bible suggests Joseph achieved his worldly success by pursuing excellence in all his endeavors, motivated by God’s favor–just like MLK Jr.’s street sweeper. “When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes, and became his attendant.” (Gen 39:3-4). Pursuing God brings with it the pursuit of excellence, and when it becomes your lifestyle, both worldy and eternal benefits accrue. Go forth and serve those around you with excellence! Thanks for the inspiration today–
Thanks Tork… read the same book about a year or so ago… and wrote: https://m100group.com/2013/08/21/the-three-philosophical-paradoxes-of-second-leader-leadership-or-twos-in-demarco-banter/
I know you already commented on it… but the book got me thinking as well.
As always…thank you for reading, and thank you for the comment
Yes, I remember that one–just re-read it and saw I commented then as well–didn’t recall the reference to your paradoxes however–now I’m reading them from the source. Thanks for your commitment to raise up those around you!
Tom, love your comments. Bill, I’d like to add that PASSION and HARD WORK are essential to being the best we can be. It is what sets apart the greats from the “also ran”.
Roger: Agree 192%!