Commit to Excellence

Commit to Excellence: Elevating Your Leadership in 2025

As we move forward into March, I want to continue our journey of leadership growth by focusing on the next foundational principle: Commit to Excellence.

In my February blog, we talked about clarifying your purpose—identifying the “why” that drives your leadership and decision-making. But once that purpose is clear, the next step is just as critical: pursuing it with excellence.

Excellence is not about being perfect. It’s about having a mindset that refuses to settle for mediocrity. It’s about giving your best effort, continuously improving, and setting a high standard for yourself and those around you. Great leaders don’t just work hard; they work with intention, precision, and a relentless commitment to excellence.

A Lesson in Excellence from My Grandmother

One of the most valuable lessons I learned about excellence came from my grandmother.

She would often say,

“If you can’t find time to do it right, how will you find time to do it over?”

That simple phrase has stayed with me throughout my military career, my time as Police Chief, and now as a leadership consultant. Excellence isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing things right the first time. It means being deliberate in our actions, paying attention to the details, and understanding that shortcuts may save time initially, but they cost far more in the long run.

I saw this principle firsthand in the Army. Whether we were preparing for a mission or maintaining our equipment, we had a saying: “Take care of your gear, and your gear will take care of you.” If we rushed through preparations or cut corners, it could mean the difference between success and failure in critical moments. The same is true in leadership. If you commit to excellence in your daily habits, when challenges arise, you’ll be ready.

Excellence in Leadership: A Personal Reflection

Recently, I had the honor of receiving Region’s Bank “History in Motion” award, which recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact in their communities through leadership and service. This award was a humbling reminder that excellence isn’t about recognition—it’s about the impact you make and the legacy you leave behind.

Looking back on my career in military service, law enforcement, and community leadership, I realize that the pursuit of excellence has always been at the core of everything I do. Whether leading troops, serving as Police Chief, or now coaching executives and organizations through A.C. Roper & Associates, I’ve seen that excellence is a choice we make every day.

It’s not just about being the best—it’s about bringing your best to every situation. It’s about leading with integrity, showing up prepared, and inspiring others to do the same.

How to Commit to Excellence in Your Life and Leadership

If you want to elevate your leadership in 2025, here are three ways to commit to excellence this year:

1. Set High Standards (and Hold Yourself to Them)

Excellence begins with expectations. What you expect from yourself and others will determine the results you achieve.

• Are you consistently striving to improve, or are you comfortable with “good enough”?

• Do you hold yourself to the same standards you expect from those you lead?

The best leaders set high expectations—not just for their teams but for themselves. Excellence isn’t a one-time effort; it’s a daily discipline.

2. Pay Attention to the Details

One thing I’ve learned is that excellence lives in the details. Small things matter:

• How you communicate with your team.

• How well you prepare for meetings or projects.

• How consistently you follow through on commitments.

Neglecting the details may not seem like a big deal in the moment, but over time, they add up. The leaders who stand out are the ones who go the extra mile and sweat the small stuff—because they know that’s where true excellence is found.

3. Never Stop Learning and Growing

A commitment to excellence means embracing a mindset of continuous improvement. No matter how experienced you are, there is always room to grow.

• Seek feedback from trusted mentors or colleagues.

• Invest in professional development, whether through reading, coaching, or training.

• Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone and take on new challenges.

The best leaders are lifelong learners. They recognize that true excellence isn’t a destination—it’s a journey.

The Legacy of Excellence

When I think about the leaders who have influenced my life, they all had one thing in common: they never settled for average. They pursued their purpose with excellence, and in doing so, they left a lasting impact on the people around them.

That’s the kind of leader I strive to be, and that’s the kind of leader I challenge you to become.

As we continue into 2025, I encourage you to embrace the mindset of excellence in everything you do. Remember my grandmother’s words:

If you can’t find time to do it right, how will you find time to do it over?

Let’s make this year one where we lead with purpose, pursue excellence, and leave a legacy that outlives us.

Next month, we’ll focus on another key principle of leadership: Embracing Change with

Courage. Until then, let’s lead well, commit to excellence, and inspire those around us to do the same.

To your success,

A.C. Roper

Founder, A.C. Roper & Associates

CEO | Consultant | Author