High standards need a human translation

“This is not good enough” may be true. It is rarely sufficient.

A high standard becomes useful when people can see the distance between the current work and the desired work. What specifically is weak? What would better look like? Which part matters most?

Without that translation, the team is left to interpret the leader’s disappointment. Some people become defensive. Others work longer without working better.

The purpose of a standard is not to demonstrate that the leader can recognise excellence. It is to increase the team’s ability to produce it.