Michelangelo’s no baselines approach to exceptionalism

As part of our no baselines series on identifying and learning how to create and manage exceptional organizations, the recent Take a Tip from Michelangelo on Exceptionalism in the Times offers useful insight.

James Cameron has directed only nine films, yet four are among the highest grossing of all time. His edge came from combining new technology, immersive experiences, compelling storytelling, and commercial acumen. He is exceptional because he never settled for “good enough” which is a no baselines mantra.

Too often, businesses fall into that trap. Leaders measure themselves against the average, assume their sector is “different,” or are too busy to learn from the best. The no baselines principle calls for something else: benchmark against excellence, not mediocrity.

Tom Peters reminded us decades ago in In Search of Excellence that the most successful organizations act with urgency, stay close to their customers, empower people, and cut complexity. Those lessons endure, yet too many companies remain reluctant to apply them fully.

Michelangelo put it best: “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”

The ceiling is too low. The sky is the limit.