How Do You Deal with Excuses?

Effective leaders know that building and sustaining a “no excuse” culture can be done – not overnight – but as a result of the combination of several distinct (yet related) tactics. These tactics include:

A clear and precise vision.

Real training, not the cheap imitation kind; communicate through words and actions that employee development is a key component of how you run your business/organization.

Provide consistent and comprehensive knowledge of job roles; teach people why what they do is important, where it fits in and then acknowledge it when they do it right.

Install real performance expectations and accountability standards.

Encourage positive feedback at all levels.

Seems unrealistic? Well, here’s something that is real: lost time and money. Stop for a minute and think about what mistakes and excuses (to cover up the mistakes or explain them away) are costing (lost sales, revenues and cash) your organization in terms of “do overs”, fixes, as well as the time it takes to navigate through the sea of excuses to get to the facts (aka truth).

And, while you are managing this, what’s the cost to your brand and reputation as your customers grow unhappy because they are the real victims of the excuses?

Still think that creating a “no excuse culture” is not doable and does not have real measurable value? Don’t even try to answer; it will only be an excuse.