# Raise The Bar

## ❓Why?

**Leaders set the standard for what is acceptable and celebrated within a team**

Your standards as a leader determine the maximum level of quality your team will deliver. Therefore, you should consider raising your standards as it directly impacts your team's performance.

**A culture of high standards motivates team members**

High performers are drawn to work environments where excellence is expected and valued. Having a team of high performers, in turn, attracts even more talent.

## 🌫️ Challenges and Misconceptions

**People often overestimate their own standards**

It's important to objectively assess your standards and be willing to adjust them upward. The decision to raise your standards is a significant step in the right direction.

**There are common excuses for avoiding raising the bar, such as the difficulty in defining quality**

While quality can vary depending on the context, this should not be a reason to avoid striving for excellence.

## 🏆 Implement a Culture of Excellence

**Set High Standards**

Setting high standards alone is insufficient. It's crucial to provide consistent, actionable feedback that helps your team understand the expectations and improve their work.

**Leverage Feedback Loop**

[Give specific feedback](https://jamiewen00.gitbook.io/tech-lead-handbook/people/give-feedback) focused on improving work output. Detailed feedback, rooted in logic, can help individuals sharpen their work and contribute to a stronger team. You can’t simply declare higher standards; you must cultivate a new norm through feedback and reinforcement.

**Motivate Your Team**

In a competitive market, a team's ability to execute at a high level can determine whether they fail or succeed. Raising the bar improves execution and increases the likelihood of winning. Managers have limited visibility into individual work, so high standards help ensure quality even when no one is watching.

Link tasks to the bigger picture and individual growth. Explain how a task contributes to the business and helps develop skills the individual wants to learn. This gives the work meaning and motivates individuals to do their best.

***

## In Short

> Set high standards, give specific feedback, and connect work to meaningful impact.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​


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