Have you ever received a carefully wrapped gift with a handwritten card? Compare that to a gift hastily wrapped in newspaper with a generic printed card — the feeling is completely different, right?
That’s the huge gap between simply meeting expectations and truly exceeding them. And this mindset can be applied at every stage of your career:
- Entry-level employee: Finishing tasks ahead of schedule and adding insights that weren’t required.
- Mid-level manager: Not just reporting problems, but proposing solutions. Not just meeting KPIs, but finding ways to optimize processes.
- Senior leader: Not just running operations smoothly, but also fostering a culture of innovation. Not just hitting quarterly targets, but also shaping a long-term vision.
Now here’s the key: creating extraordinary value doesn’t always mean doing more work. Sometimes it means doing less — but doing it at a higher quality.
A crisp, clear report can deliver far more impact than a 100-slide presentation full of noise. It’s not about the quantity of output; it’s about the impact of the work.
Here are a few ways to shift into this mindset:
1. Apply the “+10% Rule”
For every project, ask yourself: “What can I add to create 10% more value without taking 10% more time?”
Examples:
- Add an unexpected perspective to your report.
- Create a simple how-to guide for your team.
- Send a thoughtful follow-up email to the client after a meeting — when no one asked you to.
2. Run an “Expectation Scan”
Before starting a big project, ask your manager or project lead:
- What would make this project truly excellent in your eyes?
- Besides the main goals, is there anything else that would make this project stand out?
- What’s your biggest concern about this project right now?
These hidden expectations often reveal where you can add the most value.
3. Build a “3-Level Plan”
For each task, design three versions:
- Basic version (meets the minimum requirements).
- Advanced version (adds significant value).
- Impressive version (leaves a lasting impact).
Then aim to deliver at least the advanced version.
Final Thought
In a world where AI is taking over more and more routine jobs, this kind of human-first mindset will be your strongest competitive edge.
And the good news? No AI can replicate it.
