Perfect is only good enough?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 12:30:54 -0500

This is in relation to soldiers performance on a daily basis. Do we as leaders sometime expect to much or not enough?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2014 12:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 12:32:01 -0500

You should strive for it knowing you will rarely achieve it. Depends on your field-aircraft mechanics we have to be damn near perfect because something out of tolerance can mean life or death.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2014 12:34 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 12:34:43 -0500

Not enough in my opinion. Soldiers will always rise to thier leaders expectations, not the other way around. Being nice and giving your Soldiers a break will cost you in the end. I learned this as a young Sergeant when I be-friended a PFC who was close to me in age. It caused problems later when we worked together. He thought my orders were suggestions. I had to correct him and break off the friendship.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Feb 25 at 2014 12:39 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 12:39:02 -0500

It depends, I do believe that the proverb "Perfect is the enemy of the good" is true, where if you are a perfectionist and only looking for perfection, many times nothing gets done.

I believe that we should expect quality, effectiveness, and efficiency in getting the job done, yet understand that with the limited time, resources, and mission set, we need to move forward. I think instead of expecting perfection, we expect the soldier to meet their potential and surpass it. This way we are demanding in making them improve. that is more important than accomplishing some tasks perfectly.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Feb 25 at 2014 12:53 PM

CMC Robert Young — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 12:53:24 -0500

Organizations typically perform to the level of expectation. If expectations are high, then performance will likely equal that expectation so long as the organization offers the support to actually reach the desired outcome. We as leaders must expect great things, but we must also being willing to empower our people to achieve those things. Expecting great things without providing the training, leadership, and material support required will drive morale, commitment and performance down as opposed to up.

A cautionary note about expectations. If a zero defect mentality infects the unit, nothing will ever get done because subordinates will fear undue sanctions for even the smallest failure. That will leave them unable to execute even simple decisions.

The pursuit of perfection is good thing as long as leaders understand that it is a journey; not a destination.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Feb 25 at 2014 8:51 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 20:51:08 -0500

Unless you are taking an exam, explain to me what is 100%?! How do you measure anything on a % without specific measureable criteria? I like the way the Air Force includes this concept in their Core Values: integrity, Service before self, and Excellence in all you do. These can be measured through meeting or not, the standards and expectations of the unit or branch. Excellence would be going above and beyond the expectations.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2014 7:53 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 19:53:22 -0500

It is what you aim for and believe in and can only hope for.

Response by SSG John Mendyka made Mar 2 at 2014 2:52 AM

SSG John Mendyka — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 02:52:29 -0500

The ability to make something "perfect" is unattainable and unreasonable and comes from a 500 year old concept that if you work perfectly you are perfect. This is simply not true and is frankly unreasonable. This concept has made for leadership that is incompetent and immoral in the long run in the army. Those that are willing to step on other people to get ahead while not knowing a thing about their job or their ability to perform it on the battlefield. Our army will continue to be this way until such time that it is truly challenged, thus far their has been no need to really sacrifice on the broad scale only get ahead while the getting is good.