The Pursuit of Excellence

John Martins reflects on five steps in the pursuit of excellence, and hits on what is at the heart of Sheffield’s success over 50 years, indeed of any organisation’s success.

5 Steps inthe Pursuit of Excellence:

1. Sense of Destiny

… this is important for both individuals and organisations - a sense that they are here for a purpose, that they have a very worthwhile and useful objective to achieve.

2. Sense of Direction

This requires assessing your strengths and weaknesses. Looking at the alternative opportunities open to you. Making a choice between the alternatives. Setting objectives, targets and a course of action that will take you there.

3. Discrimination

Never doing anything unnecessary but concentrating on doing the essentials very effectively. Using time, effort and resources in the best manner possible. Seeing what is best in others. Appreciating the little things.

4. Detachment

The ability to concentrate solely on the task in hand without distraction caused by concern as to the likely result of success or failure. To be in the present, totally committed to purpose without desire, expectation, and with a quiet and steady mind.

5. Dedication

...which represents a total commitment of energy and resources, requiring the discipline and attitude, thoughts and behaviours to achieve the required fulfilment of purpose. Dedication means the accumulation of more and more knowledge and allows behaviour to become routine, automatic, and effortless.

These five steps can be used and developed to achieve excellence. And of course excellence is not a goal, it is a journey!