Excellence may become the forgotten attribute in our casual-obsessed culture. We seem to be mired in a mundane malaise of mediocrity.

Jesus did everything He did with excellence. The water He turned to wine was hailed as the best juice. In Mark chapter seven the people who witnessed Jesus perform miracles exclaimed, “He doth all things well.” When He fed the multitudes the Bible records that all were fed and all were filled. His sinless life is the highest example of His supreme excellence.

The human standard of personal excellence for anyone is to simply do one’s very best. Our best is always good enough for God no matter how bad it is or how small it is; yet, less than our best is never good enough for God no matter how good it is or how big it is.

We appreciate a “spirit of excellence” when we witness it in other people or organizations. Perhaps we have wondered why our ministry, or our home, or our business does not have a spirit of excellence. We forget the wisdom of Dr. Lee Roberson’s familiar quote, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” If we are to have excellence in our ministries, homes, and businesses it will come through deliberate and thorough leadership.

Consider these steps in leading others to excellence.

1. Lead Others to Excellence by Being Lead of the Holy Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13

There is no real success outside the will of God. Leaders must constantly be submitting themselves to the leadership of the Holy Spirit who guides them “into all truth.” Practically speaking that means He guides them to all excellence.

2. Lead Others to Excellence by Setting an Excellent Example

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9

Very few followers set for themselves a higher standard than the leader sets for himself. A consistent demonstration of excellence will inspire followers to raise their efforts.

3. Lead Others to Excellence by Investing in Excellent Preparation

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. Luke 14:28-32

When we fail to prepare, the result is always less than our best—no matter how well the effort may have turned out. Thorough preparation would have made the effort better. If it could have been better it was not our best. No one ever did his best by accident.

4. Lead Others to Excellence by Developing Excellent Organization

Consider the record of the feeding of the five thousand. Christ led His disciples in structure, in order, and in delegation. First, He assessed what they had: the five loaves and two fish. Then He gave instructions to seat the multitudes in groups. He then delegated the distribution of the food to His disciples. The massive group was fully served. The job was completed by retaining the “left-overs” of which there was a specific accounting.

5. Lead Others to Excellence by Giving an Excellent Effort Yourself

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17

Followers respect and respond to an excellent effort from leadership even if the result is less than spectacular. Everyone appreciates the leader who honestly does his best.

6. Lead Others to Excellence by Completing the Task with Excellent Follow-through

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:13-14

Finishing the job well demonstrates that the value, priority, and enthusiasm placed in the task prior to the start was genuine and not an emotional ploy.

7. Lead Others to Excellence by Extending Excellent Appreciation

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. Romans 12:10

Sincere expressions of thanks and gratitude for the excellent work of others are always appropriate. They are also necessary to keep followers encouraged.

Remember that what Jesus did,  He did with excellence.