"Is my work of the highest quality?"  When we ask ourselves this question are setting the bar high or are we being too unrealistic?

Or...

"Is my work the best I can produce?" When we ask ourselves this question are we being realistic or are we giving ourselves an out?

Let's use me as an example and tell me what you think.

Was Wednesday's staff development of the highest quality?

Answer: No.  My communication to staff members could have been more thorough and more timely.  I could have gotten there early and set up the audio-visual equipment.  And, I should have had a small token of appreciation for the presenter.

Now let's try on Question Number Two.

Was Wednesday's staff development the best I can produce?

Answer: Maybe.  Communication is hard when I have been displaced from my office for the past few weeks and access to an office computer is limited.  Sure I could have gotten there earlier, but Richard has been out of town all week and my schedule is twice as hectic shuffling kids every which way.  A token of appreciation would have been great, but maybe next time.  People know I am usually thoughtful.

I struggle because I want the "out" I think Question Number Two provides.  But, as co-creator of the House of Shine, I feel obligated to maintain the values implied in Question Number One.

When I force myself to respond to Question Number One, my inner voice says things such as: "No.  My communication to staff members could have been more thorough and more timely.  How must I reorganize my priorities, so that staff members get reminders one full week ahead of time?  Maybe, instead of letting myself get lost in a Google search on Friday, I could have made better use of that time.

True, Question Number One is, at times, unattainable.  We are human.

But, when my inner voice is forced to answer Question Number One there is dissonance.  I am forced to reconcile the difference between, 'the best I can produce," and "work of the highest quality."  It is then I become most accountable for the values I say I possess and the decisions I therefore make.

Tell me what you think.  Visit me in the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post and tell me.  Is there a difference or am I splitting hairs?

Shining off until tomorrow...