WOMEN and MEN: EXCELLENCE Deep INSIDE YOU

From the time I was a little girl, the idea of EXCELLENCE was present in my life. My big brother seemed to have a generous regard for it and he took me under his wing, helping me set small goals so I could experience the joy of EXCELLENCE. One piece of advice I clearly remember from those early lessons is that "EXCELLENCE needs no words or explanation. It stands on its own." Over the years, I've found this proved to be true. Although the initial investment to achieve a level of EXCELLENCE is greater, the return is too.

Later my experience with the notion of EXCELLENCE was again center stage in my leadership career with IBM Corporation. Pursuit of EXCELLENCE was one of our Basic Beliefs. My mentors over the years clearly exemplified this belief in their work, lives and overall successes. It was a great inspiration to me. They helped me, by their example, see the difference between mediocrity and EXCELLENCE. I noticed that having a reputation for EXCELLENCE eliminates questions, opens doors, brought opportunities and added an element of integrity to their work and leadership that others noticed. It also gave them a humble confidence that helped others want to follow them and strive to find their own way to discover and apply what they learned from them. EXCELLENCE showed up in every way -----

• how they dressed
• how they presented their work
• how they were willing to RISK with a confidence about the results
• how they followed through ---- always delivering what they promised
• how they landed one great assignment after another
• how they consistently achieved superior results
• how they were respected by their peers
• how they interacted and cared about others
• how they managed to do so much with ease

In one of my most cherished and inspiring books was recently published in a new 2007 edition. A PASSION FOR SUCCESS: Practical, Inspirational and Spiritual Insight from Japan's Leading Entrepreneur by Kazuo Inamori, founder of Kyocera Corporation at age 27 is a very special contribution. Each page is written to contain a lesson. One lesson that has stayed with me is FORCE YOURSELF TO EXCEL. Kazuo Inamori uses an analogy about how a "C" student graduates having studied just enough to pass; a straight "A" student has had to break through many barriers----some of which must have required excruciating efforts to overcome. His wisdom:

"Whether we settle for "passing grades" or constantly challenge ourselves to be the very best is more than a matter of academics. It is an opportunity to demonstrate our human qualities and select the path we want to follow. ...If you wish to excel in life, you must be willing to encounter many barriers. The biggest of all is your own mind, which seeks comfort and ease. ...we naturally prefer the easy way. ...the greatest skill is the ability to overcome oneself."

EXCELLENCE comes when you have reached inside yourself to do something bigger than yourself...and you convince yourself, you will not be denied. In this experience, you also do not deny the world of your own personal best.

The world needs a new generation of LEADERS ... ones that are willing to reach deep inside to tap into EXCELLENCE ... ones that radiate it from the inside out; ones are brimming with integrity, so they can help others do Gandhi's reminded us ---- be the change.

Are you reaching inside to tap into your potential to give the world your very best?

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead

Learn about WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE at the Women in the Lead WOMEN's GALLERY

Comments

[Susan L Reid of Alkamae Blog]

Two things really resonate with me from what you wrote, Debbe -- Excellence is a choice, and excellence is a way of life. From your earliest experience with your brother, to what Kazuo Inamori has to say in "A Passion for Success" (a book, I adore, BTW), excellence is something we can cause to seed and take root in our life. The over-arching value of excellence as a way of life, is an intrinsic value strongly associated with the Inner Samurai -- that name I give to the inner part of all of us that knows and acts from that deep knowing.

[Debbe Kennedy, Women in the Lead Inspiration BLOG]

I'm both surprised and not surprised with your connection to Inamori's work. His is one of my favorite works. Think we should have lunch with him! I wrote about him in my new book. What inspired your interest in the Inner Samurai?

Your insights are timely --- I admit excellence ranks high on my list of aspirations.

Thanks for stopping by.

dk