Defining Excellence

Over many years of introspection and deliberation, it has been quite a journey in trying to define this simple yet elusive term "Excellence". Let's begin by taking the simplest option and referring to the dictionary -

excellence [ˈɛksələns]

n

1. the state or quality of excelling or being exceptionally good; extreme merit; superiority

2. an action, characteristic, feature, etc., in which a person excels

Well, this serves us with a basic description in a simple and easy to understand language. However, it does not really do justice to the term. It leaves a lot unsaid, undescribed and understated. Strangely though, it does do justice in a peculiar way - excellence is by itself  a virtue which stands out as understated, serene and undescribeable. 

The funny part is that in numerous group interactions over the years, it has been amazing to see how such a common word does not have a common definition or meaning. Everyone seems to have different interpretations and perceptions about what it means. For some, it means "giving 100%", for others it symbolises "being best-in-class" and some others describe it as an "unending journey of self improvement". Somehow, we all know the word and yet have quite remarkably different perceptions of what it means.

So let's take a few minutes to derive a definition of "Excellence" in our own words. I choose to derive it by comparing it with other words that can help us understand the contrast. 

"Good" - means achieving a level of output better than the normal or ordinary

"Great" - means being significantly better than the average or good

"Brilliant" - represents an achievement which is incomparable and yet may be unrepeatable

"Exceptional" - symbolises something unique and could also be inherent or inborn

All the above terms somehow refer to an output or an achievement. They are all wonderful terms within their own right, yet fall quite short of our word in question.

"Excellence" symbolises a more ethereal quality or virtue which cannot be defined by achievement or results. It is more reflecting a quest for unending self improvement, for constantly trying to get better than the current capability. "Excellence" becomes a yearning, an introspection, a lifelong pursuit of self discovery. It is all consuming - overcomes self defined limitations, transcends ego and  ceases to be a one dimensional focus on a particular skill or talent. To the seeker, it represents the discovery of his "purpose of existence" and fulfilment of his innermost and true potential. Hence a life lived in pursuit of "Excellence" is a life well lived.

Here are some wonderful perspectives on "Excellence" shared by the great thinkers and leaders of history

“My meaning simply is, that whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; that whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely; that in great aims and in small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest.” 

― Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” 

― Martin Luther King Jr.

“I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.” 

― Abraham Lincoln

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence” 

― Vince Lombardi Jr.

“There are many people, particularly in sports, who think that success and excellence are the same thing. They are not the same thing. Excellence is something that is lasting and dependable and largely within a person's control. In contrast, success is perishable and is often outside our control. If you strive for excellence, you will probably be successful eventually. People who put excellence in the first place have the patience to end up with success. An additional burden for the victim of the success mentality is that he is threatened by the success of others and he resents real excellence. In contrast, the person that is fascinated by quality is excited when he sees it in others.” 

― Joe Paterno

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