In Search of Standards of Exellence

Bill Walsh, the former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, loved Tom Peters, the management expert. Peters, along with Robert H. Waterman, are the authors of their classic book In Search of Excellence. Coach Walsh used this book to develop his Standard of Excellence for the 49ers. These seventeen principles were the cornerstone of the organization’s culture. Bill Walsh valued these seventeen principles more than his famous West Coast offense.

1. Exhibit a ferocious and intelligently applied work ethic directed at continual improvement.

2. Demonstrate respect for each person in the organization.

3. Be deeply committed to learning and teaching.

4. Be fair.

5. Demonstrate character.

6. Honor the direct connection between details and improvement. Relentlessly seek the latter.

7. Show self-control, especially under pressure.

8. Demonstrate and prize loyalty.

9. Use positive language and have a positive attitude.

10. Take pride in my effort as an entity separate from the result of that effort.

11. Be willing to go the extra distance for the organization.

12. Deal appropriately with victory and defeat, praise, and humiliation.

13. Promote internal communication that is both open and substantive.

14. Seek poise in myself and those I lead.

15. Put the team’s welfare and priorities ahead of my own.

16. Maintain an ongoing level of concentration and focus that is abnormally high.

17. Make sacrifice and commitment to the organization’s trademark.

Many of these seventeen principles came directly from In Search of Excellence. Here are some more that did not make Coach Bill Walsh’s list, but might make yours:

• What you do is so loud, I cannot hear what you say.

• Have a lean staff, no overlap.

• How people answer the phone is vitally important. The switchboard matters

• Encourage creativity and ideas from the lowest ranking team member.

• Be obsessed with the basics, not making money. Basics first, profits later. 

• Wander around your offices, learn about others, pay attention to pictures on the desk.

• Handwritten notes are essential (birthday cards, holiday cards). Know important dates on people’s calendars.

• Do it, fix it, try it. Don’t be scared to try new things

• Preach persistence. We will never give up.

• A single simple message, from one to all.

As we take time off to celebrate the holidays this week, we should all look to incorporate some of these principles into our work and personal life. All of them might not fit your individual, organizational, or team needs. Think about some of these Standard of Excellence over the next few “off” days and come back stronger than ever with a renewed sense of purpose, understanding, and, most of all, enthusiasm. 

From our family to yours, Happy Holidays!

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