Meeting People Where They Are Is Not Lowering Standards

Meeting people where they are is not lowering standards.

I remember a project where an engineer was building a user interface that another tech lead described as haphazard and confusing. When I asked what visual requirements or mockups were provided, the answer was basically none.

The lead’s response was, “Well, he’s a senior engineer. He should just know what good looks like.”

The engineer was actually an exceptional software developer. He just wasn't a UI designer. He was being asked to navigate without a map or directions in an area he already struggles.

When we expect people to hit a standard that only exists in our own heads and we don’t provide them the tools to succeed, we shouldn’t be surprised when the outcome misses the mark. And when a person does miss the mark, are we asking “Why didn’t they do better?” or “Did we provide them enough structure and guidance to succeed?”

Leadership is understanding the gap between the standard you expect and the support someone actually needs to reach it.