Where you work determines the DNA of your business approach.
Mediocre gets as mediocre does. Excellence gets as excellence does.
An odd number of light bulb sockets presented a problem challenge for Disneyland. A creative Cast Member tried a remarkably inexpensive and creative idea. It worked.
(photo: We can approach our day trying to maintain things or trying to become remarkable – which is what our customers want)
Boss: Do everything you’re supposed to do plus one or two projects that add great value to our department.
Subordinate: Hmm… Ok. Sounds good. (Then quietly thinks to herself, “So you’re saying do a ‘good’ job at my day job, and do one or two great things on the side?”)
What this tells the employee is that pursuing excellence, you know, being freaking remarkable at your day job, is not the main focus.
What if the ‘side-project’ was to become the main project?