Every business pays a tax for allowing mediocrity.
Not the obvious kind. Not the type that shows up wearing a sign that says “I don’t care.”
I’m talking about the subtle kind; the kind that feels acceptable in the moment.
The salesperson who’s “fine.”
The process that’s “mostly documented.”
The meetings that are “usually productive.”
The deliverables that are “good enough.”
And because nothing is on fire, you let it pass.
Here’s the problem: everything you tolerate compounds.
Quietly at first. Then suddenly. And usually into a problem so large you can’t believe it started from something you allowed.
This is where owners get confused. They think their standards are what matter.
Your standards set your floor.
What you tolerate sets your ceiling.
They do, but only partly.
Because your team doesn’t follow what you prefer. They follow what you permit.
If “mostly on time” is acceptable, that becomes the culture.
If “almost accurate” is acceptable, that becomes the norm.
If “we’ll fix it later” is acceptable, later becomes never.
So do something simple and decisive today:
Pick one area where you’ve been accepting “almost good enough.”
Then:
- Upgrade the standard. Be specific. Not “better.” Define what “excellent” looks like.
- Communicate it. Don’t assume people can read your mind.
- Enforce it. Consistently. Not emotionally. Not occasionally. Consistently.
This isn’t about being harsh. It’s about being clear.
Because when you raise the floor, the ceiling takes care of itself.
Stop tolerating “almost” good enough.
Choose excellence even when it’s inconvenient. That’s the real cost of leadership. And it’s also the real path to a business you can be proud of.