We’ve all heard that old saying, “You only get one chance to make a first impression.”  Well that’s what I’m talking about in my book, “TAKE COMMAND,” when I say that impeccability is a one of the 10 critical leadership principles.  Impeccability means free from fault or blame — blameless. Great leaders are always conscious of how important it is to produce quality work and deliver exceptional results.  Not just on the day of the “big” sales presentation, but day-in and day-out in every task, no matter how seemingly trivial. This type of behavior sets expectations in your organization and with all of those that come in contact with you. Impeccability will accelerate success in your business and in every area of your life.

Why wouldn’t you always put your best foot forward? Are you sure your boss isn’t going to see your work? Are you sure that a future investor in your company isn’t going to see your presentation? Does your family deserve anything less than the very best? Of course not.  But you never know who is watching or when an opportunity will present itself, so you should always do your best.

Impeccability is important because there is a possibility that someone who can influence your career may see what you’ve done. Think about it … very influential people see, feel, and hear everything that you do every day. Your family members, friends, and co-workers all have a sense for you and your pride in your work.  Do you deliver the best you possibly can each and every time? Why not? I’ve never heard an acceptable answer explaining why someone didn’t deliver their best. What you do and how you do it defines you. Your actions tell everyone a lot about your intent and your self-esteem. You want your children to learn impeccability from you so you need to practice it.  President Andrew Johnson once said, “Some gentlemen says I have been a tailor.  That does not disconcert me in the least; for when I was a tailor, I had the reputation of being a good one, and making close fits; I was always punctual with my customers, and always did good work.”  In other words, no matter what it is you do, run a company, lead troops into battle, wait on tables, or build houses, do the best that you can. 

In the military, it is easier to stress and understand the importance of impeccability because the results of your actions are right in your face. If you don’t do your best, you and your troops may have to suffer the consequences, and of course, the consequences may be the loss of life and the erosion of our national security. The ramifications of impeccability are very clear in the military. But what about in every day civilian life? 

I would argue that the answer is the same. The ramifications are clear in the “real” world too. It is just as important to be impeccable in your personal and business life as it is in the military world. While the feedback for inferior delivery may be less immediate or grave, it will nevertheless dramatically impact you and those around you.    

For example, impeccability is critical for entrepreneurs.  If you’re an entrepreneur you have to attract and retain a team to help you build your business; attract investors so that you can fund your concept; attract customers to buy your products or services; and build and deliver exceptional products or services for your customers.  In each of these endeavors, be impeccable and you’ll build a reputation that will allow you to grow your business.  Fail to deliver in any area with impeccability, and the road to success will be much more difficult.

My favorite episode on “The Apprentice” just happens to be the one that most exemplifies impeccability.  Donald allowed me, as project manager, to send someone to the other team so that the teams would be even. I sent Jen over to Andy and Sandy, and kept Ivana and Kevin (even though Kevin had an exemption from being fired in the next boardroom).  I wanted the strongest team possible going into the task.  Kevin, Ivana and I operated like a well-oiled machine. We planned out our entire approach on the way to Pepsi’s headquarters. During the task, we brainstormed to determine the best design possible for the new bottle. We worked together and came up with the idea to have the word “EDGE” turned on its side as the bottle with a hole all the way through the middle of the letter “D.”  The beauty was that inside this hole through the letter “D” Pepsi could place promotional items. The engineer team said it would be too hard to produce a bottle with the hole going all the way through, but we insisted. And the engineer team eventually delivered on our vision. It was this bottle design that won the day and the win secured me a birth in the final four and earned Ivana, Kevin and I the opportunity to drive Lamborghinis on a closed track at the Poconos Speedway.

At first, it may seem a little difficult to hold yourself to a new standard.  You may think, “Oh, I don’t have enough time,” or “I’ve got too much to do,” or “This little thing isn’t really that important.”  Well, think again.  Once you start acting with impeccability it will become a habit.  You’ll influence everyone around.  Everyone who knows you will come to expect it from and it will become second nature.  If something is worth doing, it is worth doing right.