One of the most loathsome phrases in the English language is “good enough.” It makes my skin crawl (and gives me flashbacks of group projects) because “good enough” is an acknowledgment that things could be better BUT [the deadline is looming and I started too late/I'm tired of working on it/C's get degrees].
Now, before you tell me that I’m being melodramatic, I fully acknowledge that not being perfect all the time, every time, does NOT lead to mediocrity.
I admit to being a bit of a perfectionist. I hold myself to (sometimes impossibly) high standards, and used to expect everyone else to live up to them. It didn’t work so well. I’ve come to understand that accepting your flaws and the inherent shortcomings of others does not put you on the path to mediocrity, nor is it settling. I’m not advocating for perfection. I’d advocating for completing your work in a manner that consistently reflects your personal best. There comes a time and a place to know when to stop working; when the marginal cost outweighs the marginal benefit. It took me a long time (and a lot of over-studying for exams) to realize this.
So, why so much disdain for “good enough?”
Mediocrity begets free-riding. Equitable Contribution (or lack thereof) is one of the theorized causes of social loafing. High-performers are less likely to put forth their full contribution if they feel fellow members of the team are slacking. This is a vicious cycle, and eventually, only the minimum of work required to get by will be completed. While a high-performer may refuse to settle and put forth extra effort deliver a project she is proud of, this is too heavy a burden for an individual to carry all the time.
Mediocrity breeds contempt. If you were ever the smart or geeky kid in middle school, you know exactly what I’m talking about. A culture of mediocrity systematically destroys the confidence and self-esteem of individuals who are exceptional by ostracizing them for going above and beyond. Eventually, the individual will grow tired of being bullied and leave, or will lose the spark that could have led to great things.
Mediocrity fosters a culture of “yes.” In an environment where mediocrity is the standard, it’s easy to surround yourself with people who are quick dole out compliments but would rather bite off their tongue than point out something that could be done better. If your views are never challenged, sooner or later you’re bound to find yourself in an Emperor’s New Clothes-type situation, with only your ego and self-importance to blame.
When you’re in a work environment that gets by on “good enough,” even pats itself on the back for not expending a single ounce of effort more than was necessary to “get the job done,” it’s easy to find yourself beginning to settle for the same. Don’t.
Don’t lose the sense of pride you get from doing your best. Not all rewards are extrinsic, and in the long run, fitting in is over-rated. Take risks; go out on a limb and chance that you might fail miserably. If you opt for “good enough” and fail, you’ll always wonder if the outcome would have been different had you done your best.
“It’s a wretched taste to be gratified with mediocrity when the excellent lies before us.” – Isaac Disraeli
What are your thoughts on “good enough?” Have you ever worked in a place where mediocrity was accepted as the status quo? How did you deal with it?
