The Standard You Walk Past Is the Standard You Accept

Every organization has written rules, but the real culture is shaped by what leaders tolerate. A missed safety step, a late arrival, a dismissive tone — if left unchecked, those small cracks quickly become the standard.

Strong leaders know this truth: the standard you walk past is the standard you accept.
Recognize the Slippery Slope

When you allow one small breach, you’ve silently announced it’s permissible. The problem isn’t just that action — it’s the ripple effect. Others see it and follow suit.
Envision the Culture You Want

Ask yourself: What kind of environment do I want my team to thrive in? Envision it clearly. Standards are not about perfection, but about clarity and consistency.
Shift the Expectation

Address issues directly, even the small ones. Not with hostility, but with firm clarity: “That’s not the standard here.” Over time, your team will know what is non-negotiable.
Embody the Standard

You cannot enforce what you don’t live. If you demand punctuality, be early. If you expect accountability, own your mistakes first. Your actions set the tone.
Track the Growth

Watch how a culture transforms when small standards are protected. Excellence builds momentum.

When I took over my first platoon during a deployment in Afghanistan, I quickly noticed that several standards weren’t being actively enforced. On the surface, many inside and outside the platoon didn’t see an issue — after all, most of the lapses didn’t seem “important” to our immediate mission.

But after a week filled with disciplinary problems — and more than a few unpleasant conversations with the Battalion Commander and Command Sergeant Major — I decided enough was enough. From that moment, I enforced complete compliance with all standards, verifying them personally several times a day.

At first, most of the platoon resisted. They weren’t fans of suddenly having expectations raised after months of relaxed enforcement. But within a few weeks, something remarkable happened. Performance improved, pride returned, and the platoon began outshining every other unit in the battalion.

About six weeks later, a short-notice mission came up — one that normally wouldn’t even have been considered within the allowable approval window. Yet we were the platoon selected to execute it. Why? Because through hard work, discipline, and professionalism, my team had proven we could be trusted to deliver when it mattered most.

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