Page 19 - The EDGE Winter 2025

"He gave me and staff a ceramic Angel for Christmas, So, why settle for mediocrity when you can strive for
that I still have. He was such a humble and great excellence?
person with integrity and cared for his team. It was Likewise, doing things well also requires a certain
an honor to work with him and he will be greatly level of patience and attention to detail. It may take
missed." a little more time and effort, but the result will be
-Andrea Aponte, Pendergast School District worth it. It is far better to spend the extra time doing
something well than to rush through it and produce
subpar results. In the long run, taking the time to
do something well can save time and resources as it
reduces the need to fix mistakes or redo tasks.
Additionally, striving for excellence creates a positive
work ethic and sets a standard for oneself and others.
When we consistently put in our best efforts, it
becomes a habit and reflects our personal values and
character. It inspires others to do the same, creating
a cycle of excellence and continuous improvement.
This not only benefits individuals but also the team
as a whole, leading to a more productive and efficient
workforce.
-Brian L. Mee, SFO, RSBA, M.Ed.
Ref lections on Leadership "So, why settle for mediocrity when you

can strive for excellence?"
January 22, 2024 -Brian Mee
Leading with Excellence
"Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well." -Lord
Chesterfield
This quote from Lord Chesterfield emphasizes the
importance of putting in effort and giving our best in
everything we do. This wisdom can be applied to any
aspect of our lives, whether personal, professional, or
educational. It serves as a reminder that no matter the
task, we should never settle for mediocrity. Instead,
we should strive to give our absolute best and aim for
excellence in all that we do.
As a leader, I have always emphasized this quote
to my team. If you are going to do something, why
not do it with excellence? It reflects positively on
your team and brings a sense of satisfaction and
accomplishment. Whether completing a project,
meeting a deadline, or even simple daily tasks, putting
in the extra effort to do it well shows dedication,
commitment, and pride in one’s work. This mindset
is crucial as it takes as much time and energy to do
something half-heartedly as it does with excellence.

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