What a standard is
Observable. Referencable. Non-negotiable under pressure.
Standards are not opinions. They are repeatable signals that keep meaning stable.
- Signals: what you should see when the standard is healthy.
- Leak: what you’ll see when meaning is drifting.
- Use this to self-correct, not to blame people.
- Repair: a small step that restores the signal.
1
Standard 1
Clarity
Decisions can be understood without explanation.
Relatability: People stop guessing. Work keeps moving.
Standard 1
Clarity
Decisions can be understood without explanation.
Relatability: People stop guessing. Work keeps moving.
Observable signals
- Priorities stay consistent across conversations.
- People can restate the “why” without interpretation.
- Work continues correctly in the leader’s absence.
Leak indicators
- Repeated “please clarify” loops.
- Decisions change tone by audience.
- Progress stalls when the owner is not present.
Repair (small move)
Write the decision in one sentence: What, Why, By when.
Then repeat the same sentence in the next two meetings.
2
Standard 2
Visibility
Meaningful work is seen without self-promotion.
Relatability: Quiet effort doesn’t disappear.
Standard 2
Visibility
Meaningful work is seen without self-promotion.
Relatability: Quiet effort doesn’t disappear.
Observable signals
- Outcomes are traceable to contributors.
- Progress is legible without status theater.
- Recognition reflects contribution, not noise.
Leak indicators
- Work surfaces only through escalation.
- Loud effort outperforms quiet results.
- Recognition feels random or political.
Repair (small move)
Add one “evidence line” to updates: Outcome → Owner → Link.
No storytelling. Just traceability.
3
Standard 3
Momentum
Progress continues without emotional energy.
Relatability: Work advances between meetings.
Standard 3
Momentum
Progress continues without emotional energy.
Relatability: Work advances between meetings.
Observable signals
- Work advances between check-ins.
- No reliance on urgency or pressure.
- Teams self-correct without intervention.
Leak indicators
- Bursts followed by stalls.
- Progress tied to speeches or adrenaline.
- Repeated resets instead of continuation.
Repair (small move)
Introduce a “next step default”: every update ends with one sentence:
Next + Owner + Time.
4
Standard 4
Signal integrity
What leaders say matches what the system rewards.
Relatability: People stop performing and start delivering.
Standard 4
Signal integrity
What leaders say matches what the system rewards.
Relatability: People stop performing and start delivering.
Observable signals
- Rewards align with stated values.
- Promotion reflects visible contribution.
- Feedback reinforces direction, not personality.
Leak indicators
- Mixed messages and shifting criteria.
- Cynicism rises despite communication.
- People optimize appearance over impact.
Repair (small move)
Choose one rule the system will reward this month. Put it in writing.
Then audit one real decision against it.
5
Standard 5
Transferability
The system works without any single individual.
Relatability: Clarity remains even when you’re not there.
Standard 5
Transferability
The system works without any single individual.
Relatability: Clarity remains even when you’re not there.
Observable signals
- Language is reused without explanation.
- New leaders adopt the logic organically.
- Decisions stay consistent across time.
Leak indicators
- Progress collapses during absence.
- Meaning drifts with leadership changes.
- The system needs constant explaining to function.
Repair (small move)
Document the “default decision logic” once. Then use it in onboarding.
The goal is reuse — not explanation.
Use case: When something feels “off” but hard to name, locate the leak.
Then restore the standard. No blame. Just clarity.
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