Real Quality Now Means Being Remarkable, Not Just Error-Free

Alex always did just enough to avoid mistakes at work—his reports were grammatically sound, emails error-free, but nothing stood out. One day, he added a hand-drawn infographic to a dry sales report. A colleague commented with surprise, and, for once, people remembered the points he made. Over time, he realized his previous standard—just avoiding blunders—wasn’t actually serving anyone’s real needs.

In the modern economy, quality that only means 'no defects' is now expected, not exceptional. Author and management scientist W. Edwards Deming revolutionized factories by saying that quality isn’t a differentiator once everyone achieves it—it’s a baseline. What stands out now is what is genuinely remarkable: work or ideas that people notice, enjoy, or talk about. In psychology, this is known as the “peak-end rule”: people remember the best and most novel parts, not the flawless routine.

If you consistently strive only to avoid negative feedback, you rarely get positive attention. Remarkability is, paradoxically, less risky than playing it safe. You just need the courage to step past error-free into the standout.

Take a clear-eyed look at your most recent work or efforts—are you gliding along meeting the basics, or are you doing something worth remembering? Choose one area, big or small, to add your unique spark—a new presentation style, that extra bit of client care, or a memorable twist to a group project. Share this enhanced version and see how others respond. Notice the energy that comes with doing work that’s not just correct, but truly remarkable.