Not Building A Satis-Factory

Leadership Harbor Coach
Sep 24
1 min read

What Kind of Factory Makes Average Things?A Satis-Factory.

It’s a fun little play on words, but it holds a powerful lesson for leaders.

Too often, organizations settle into “satis-factory” mode—producing results that are good enough, meeting expectations but rarely exceeding them. People show up, do the job, check the box, and go home. On the surface, nothing seems wrong. But underneath, the culture becomes stagnant. Innovation slows. Energy drains. And before long, mediocrity becomes the standard.

Great leaders don’t build satis-factories—they build cultures of growth.

They understand that excellence is not about perfection; it’s about progress. John Maxwell says, “Growth is the only guarantee that tomorrow is going to get better.” Leaders set the tone by modeling that growth themselves and by encouraging their teams to aim higher than average.

So, how do you prevent your organization from turning into a satis-factory?

Raise the Bar – Don’t let “good enough” be the goal. Set clear expectations that excellence matters.
Invest in People – Growth-minded leaders pour into others through mentoring, training, and encouragement.
Celebrate Progress – Reward not just results, but effort, creativity, and improvement.
Stay Curious – Keep asking, “How can we do this better?” and invite your team into the conversation.