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Leadership

The Standards Paradox: Why 'We Have Standards' Often Means 'We Don't'

Charles Blain

• 2 min read

"This isn't up to our standards."

We've all heard it.

We've all felt that sinking feeling.

And if you've ever been brave enough to ask, "Okay, what exactly are our standards?" you've probably encountered the awkward silence that follows.

Here's the uncomfortable truth about standards in most businesses: they live in people's heads, shifting like shadows depending on who you ask and when you ask them.

It's not just frustrating—it's a massive hidden tax on growth and efficiency.

Think about the last time someone's work "wasn't up to standards." Was the problem really the work, or was it that no one had clearly documented what "good" looks like?

In most cases, we're not dealing with a performance issue—we're dealing with a documentation/communication gap.

This used to be an expensive problem to solve. Creating detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) was time-intensive, often requiring hours of careful documentation and refinement.

But there’s a change agent in our midst: AI can transform this process from a marathon into a sprint.

With AI as your internal SOP analyzer, you can now:

  • Quickly document existing processes
  • Analyze procedures for gaps and inconsistencies
  • Generate clear, detailed standards that leave no room for ambiguity
  • Update documentation in real-time as processes evolve

The real power isn't just in the documentation—it's in the clarity it brings to every interaction. When standards are crystal clear, both internally and externally, you eliminate the fog of uncertainty that slows everything down.

No more vague feedback. No more misaligned expectations. No more "I thought that's what you wanted."

Here's how to get started:

  1. Choose one recurring process that frequently generates "not up to standards" feedback
  2. Document the current "assumed" standards as they exist in people's heads
  3. Use AI to analyze and formalize these standards into clear, actionable steps
  4. Test your documentation with someone new to the process
  5. Refine based on their experience

The next time you're tempted to say "it's not up to our standards,"

Try this instead: "Let's check the standards (SOP) together."

This simple shift does something powerful—it opens the door to improving both the work and the standards themselves. Same feedback, better outcomes.