Exceptionalism
For weeks my brain has been swirling over a word and concept. EXCEPTIONALISM. I have been haunted by the fact that in the U.S., we now have an administration which does not think our country is "exceptional." They have trotted around the world apologizing for who we are and claiming we are just like everyone else. But the fact is, we are great because we are exceptional.
There has never been a country like ours, and chances are pretty good there never will be again. And, it's my opinion that we are in danger of losing our exceptionalism.
The following is not a political "post" but, rather, a reflection on what it means to be exceptional and the difference between being arrogant and how that translates into business thinking.
Unfortunately there are many companies and countries who have good people who provide good products and services but will never reach exceptional status. There are many reasons they will never become exceptional, but one reason is they do not believe they are exceptional. Rather, they have a defeatist or fatalist mentality.
Exceptionalism: The condition of being different from the norm....
People love and hate a "success story." They love to cheer those who are trying to make it, but then they love to hate them when they do make it and become successful.
Take a look at Sam Walton. A rags to riches love story back when he was a struggling entrepreneur, but now it's fashionable to demonize the worlds largest company because they are winners and EXCEPTIONAL! The New York Yankees are good partly because they know they are good.They know that they are EXCEPTIONAL. And yes, because America has been successful as a country, it seems quite alright and fashionable for others in the world to jump on the band wagon and criticize us because of our exceptionalism.
When moving organizations toward a higher level of excellence and success I work a LOT at the psychology of WHO they are, more than WHAT they do. Becoming Exceptional starts in the thinking process. I'm not suggesting the ridiculous notion of "believe and it will happen", but rather a sincere belief that you are more and offer more than the competition. That you are different and not the norm.
Exceptional organizations:
* Know who they are and what they stand for.
* Communicate to ALL stake holders how they are different from the norm.
* Are not arrogant, but confident.
* Show humility. It's part of their exceptionalism .
* Are not distracted by critics when they know they are operating on solid ground.
* Do not compromise principles. Going along to get along is a loser, not exceptional.
* Have a history and track record of winning.
Are you and/or your firm exceptional? What are you doing to become exceptional or are you satisfied with being the norm? As a guy who moves organizations to excellence, I know becoming exceptional is not another company program, system or "flavor of the month" activity. It's much more and much deeper. It's the feeling, thinking and acting exceptional that will set you apart. As always, there is more instruction of "How to" than what is allowed in this limited space of blog.
But think about it. Is your business exceptional? And do your customers, employees, community and suppliers think you are? You can move your company toward the satisfying awareness of being different from the norm. And so can a country with Exceptional Leadership.
There has never been a country like ours, and chances are pretty good there never will be again. And, it's my opinion that we are in danger of losing our exceptionalism.
The following is not a political "post" but, rather, a reflection on what it means to be exceptional and the difference between being arrogant and how that translates into business thinking.
Unfortunately there are many companies and countries who have good people who provide good products and services but will never reach exceptional status. There are many reasons they will never become exceptional, but one reason is they do not believe they are exceptional. Rather, they have a defeatist or fatalist mentality.
Exceptionalism: The condition of being different from the norm....
People love and hate a "success story." They love to cheer those who are trying to make it, but then they love to hate them when they do make it and become successful.
Take a look at Sam Walton. A rags to riches love story back when he was a struggling entrepreneur, but now it's fashionable to demonize the worlds largest company because they are winners and EXCEPTIONAL! The New York Yankees are good partly because they know they are good.They know that they are EXCEPTIONAL. And yes, because America has been successful as a country, it seems quite alright and fashionable for others in the world to jump on the band wagon and criticize us because of our exceptionalism.
When moving organizations toward a higher level of excellence and success I work a LOT at the psychology of WHO they are, more than WHAT they do. Becoming Exceptional starts in the thinking process. I'm not suggesting the ridiculous notion of "believe and it will happen", but rather a sincere belief that you are more and offer more than the competition. That you are different and not the norm.
Exceptional organizations:
* Know who they are and what they stand for.
* Communicate to ALL stake holders how they are different from the norm.
* Are not arrogant, but confident.
* Show humility. It's part of their exceptionalism .
* Are not distracted by critics when they know they are operating on solid ground.
* Do not compromise principles. Going along to get along is a loser, not exceptional.
* Have a history and track record of winning.
Are you and/or your firm exceptional? What are you doing to become exceptional or are you satisfied with being the norm? As a guy who moves organizations to excellence, I know becoming exceptional is not another company program, system or "flavor of the month" activity. It's much more and much deeper. It's the feeling, thinking and acting exceptional that will set you apart. As always, there is more instruction of "How to" than what is allowed in this limited space of blog.
But think about it. Is your business exceptional? And do your customers, employees, community and suppliers think you are? You can move your company toward the satisfying awareness of being different from the norm. And so can a country with Exceptional Leadership.
posted by Bill at
7:31 PM
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