I’m coming in HOT with some leadership tips. You can use the information I’m about to provide in all aspects of your life.
Read this blog with some patience and an open mind. This can really change the way you communicate with the people around you. This has changed us at fit-flavors.
We’re talking about standards. Ever heard the phrase “Hold your head high and your standards higher?”
Standards are important because they give us a clear and consistent guide for how things should be done. They make sure that everyone is working towards the same goals and following the same rules. A standard should include a vision and mission statement outlining the overall purpose and direction of the organization, as well as technical details of how things should be done.
In your personal life, standards might include things like your values, goals, and expectations for behavior. For example, you might have a standard of always being on time, or of never being dishonest. These standards help you live your life in a way that aligns with your values and goals.
In business, standards are even more important. They help ensure that products and services are consistently high quality, and that processes are efficient and effective. Some examples of business standards might include standards for customer service, quality control, or safety procedures.
It's crucial for any organization to set and communicate standards. This helps make sure that everyone is working towards the same goals and following the same rules. By setting clear standards and holding yourself and your team accountable to them, you can create a culture of excellence and make sure your organization is operating at its best.
Here is an example of a format that a standard might follow:
Title: This should be a clear and concise title that summarizes the purpose of the standard.
Purpose/Vision/Mission: This should describe the overall goal or purpose of the standard.
Scope: This should outline the areas that the standard applies to, as well as any exceptions or exclusions.
Definitions: This should provide clear definitions for any terms or concepts used in the standard.
Requirements: This should outline the specific requirements that must be met in order to comply with the standard. These might include technical specifications, performance criteria, or other requirements.
Procedures: This should describe any necessary procedures for implementing or maintaining the standard. This might include step-by-step instructions, checklists, or other guidelines.
References: This should provide a list of any relevant references or resources that might be helpful in understanding or implementing the standard.
This is just one example of a standard format, and the specific elements included may vary depending on the purpose and scope of the standard. The important thing is to include all of the necessary information in a clear and organized manner, so that the standard is easy to understand and follow.
To add more context, let's work through a fun example together on a standard you might set for your kids to do their chores.
Title: Chore Standards for Children
Purpose/Mission/Vision: The purpose of these standards is to establish clear expectations for the completion of household chores by children.
Scope: These standards apply to all children in the household, and to all household chores that are assigned to them.
Definitions:
"Chore" refers to any task or responsibility that is assigned to a child for the purpose of maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the household.
"Completion" refers to the satisfactory completion of a chore to the standards set by the parent.
Requirements:
All assigned chores must be completed to the standards set by the parent.
Chores must be completed on time, unless prior arrangements have been made with the parent or guardian.
Children are expected to take pride in their work and complete their chores to the best of their ability.
Procedures:
Chores will be assigned on a weekly basis, and a list of assigned chores will be posted in a designated location.
Children are responsible for checking the list and completing their assigned chores as scheduled.
If a child is unable to complete their chores as scheduled, they must communicate this to the parent or guardian and make arrangements for the chore to be completed at a later time.
If a child consistently fails to complete their chores to the required standards, consequences may be implemented at the discretion of the parent.
References:
Parents' expectations for the completion of specific chores.
Family rules and values regarding responsibility and household maintenance.
This is just a fun example, but in all honesty, good leaders need to know how to set standards because standards are an essential tool for ensuring that things are done consistently and to the highest level of quality (in life and at work). Standards establish clear expectations and guidelines for how things should be done, and provide a benchmark against which progress and performance can be measured.
In business, setting standards is also crucial for building trust and credibility with team members. When team members know what is expected of them and see that those expectations are being consistently enforced, they are more likely to respect and trust their leader.
Leaders who are able to set standards are able to create a culture of excellence within their organization. By setting high standards and holding themselves and their team accountable to them, leaders inspire their team to strive for excellence and continuously improve.
The ability to set standards is a crucial leadership skill that helps ensure that an organization is operating at its best and working towards its goals.
You actually probably already have so many standards in your head, they just aren’t documented in a way that other people can take them and run with it.
What standards do you need to write down?
Yours,
Jillian
NEW PODCAST EPISODE
EP94. How To Take Your Healthy Lifestyle With You When You Travel - Audience Q&A
When we go on vacation, we constantly tell ourselves that we are not going to overindulge and wreck our diet and healthy lifestyle. However, we often fail to keep our promises and feel guilty about it. Jillian discusses what she does to maintain her healthy lifestyle when traveling.
Submit your questions and I will answer them on my podcast!!
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