Reader:

Great leaders don't assume standards - they teach and enforce them

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Standards – How Good Teams Become Great!​
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In our previous Morning Minute, The Cost and Value of Integrity, we introduced the importance of standards.

Today, I want to share a real-life example of how standards are taught… and enforced.

​John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, was known for being brilliant in the basics—even showing players how to properly put on their socks to avoid blisters.

Because he understood something most leaders miss:

If you’re not excellent in the basics… you won’t be excellent where it matters most.

But Wooden didn’t just teach fundamentals—he enforced standards.

The year after UCLA won the National Championship, his star player, Bill Walton, showed up with a beard… which violated team standards.

Walton said,
“Coach, I think I should be allowed to wear it. It’s my right.”

Coach Wooden calmly responded,
“Bill, I respect people who stand up for what they believe… and the team is going to miss you.”

No argument. No raised voice.

Just clarity.

Walton went to the locker room—and shaved.

That’s what standards look like.

Over time, I’ve learned this:

Standards are not what you say…
they are what you teach, reinforce, and consistently uphold.

In my book, WORK WITH ME, NOT FOR ME, I introduced a simple framework called T.A.S.T.E.—five standards I require of every manager:

• ​Truth – Be honest with team members, clients, and suppliers.
• ​Accountability – Take responsibility for yourself and your team.
• ​Support – Train continuously while reinforcing expectations.
• ​Trust – Without truth, there is no trust. Be someone worth following.
• ​Empowerment – Help others reach their full potential.

Every conversation—whether recognition or correction—was measured against these standards.

Because when standards are clear… performance becomes consistent.

So, here’s the question:

What standards guide you?
And what standards are you teaching your team?

Because the quality of what you build…
will always reflect the standards you enforce.

And remember:

Information without action is wasted energy.

That is today’s Morning Minute.

You can find the video of this message HERE.

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Even better, you may use this message and/or video as a discussion starter for any manager, senior leader, or organizational meeting.

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Here are some recent Morning Minutes you may have missed with actionable ideas, useful instruction, and step-by-step methods to help you, your family, and/or your team to be more, do more, and achieve more.

​"The Cost and Value of Integrity!" Short term gains can create long term limitations. Discover how that, when faced with a choice to either cheat on his taxes or lose his job, this author set in motion future opportunities by choosing integrity. Learn how that choosing integrity in spite of it's initial costs, increases your future options for income, improvement and opportunity.

​"Appreciate What You Have - While Working for What You Want! " Appreciate what you have while working diligently and respectfully for what you want. Discover my odyssey in high school starting as a beginner trumpet player to become an all-state French Horn performer. Learn how my journey may help you as you endeavor to reach your potential. Discover how that being respectful while working will set you up for success.

​"2nd Chances - How & When to Use Them!" The right decision will impact more than just 1 person. Today's message includes 2 stories of individuals who were given second chances. They both excelled after making very bad decisions. Learn from their mistakes. And, discover how that the decisions to grant them a 2nd chance was beneficial for the person, the team, and those served by the teams.

​"Who Is Your Toughest Opponent?" That s the one standing between you and the success you say you want! Discover who actually is your greatest opponent, what they choose to learn, what they choose to practice, and what they choose to avoid. Learn how that Pat Riley's program Career Best Effort will help you overcome complacency! Then, decide how you want to proceed.

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On my way home this afternoon, I was met by an airborne car headed straight for me. 5 seconds later I looked down to see the airbag had deployed...I never even heard it. Thank the Lord I am okay but the Honda Passport appears to be totaled.

This is a good time to remind everyone to keep 2 hands on the wheel, have your seatbelt securely fastened, and be sure to have GAP protection on your loan. In the event of a total loss, if insurance does not pay off the vehicle completely, Gap coverage will cover the rest.

May God bless you, your family, and your team!

Larry B.

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