HIGH EXPECTATIONS
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
The Power of Holding Yourself to Higher Standards
BY BRYAN K. WILLIAMS, DM
MADE FOR MORE. If you hold yourself to high expectations, you already know that a bare-minimum mentality is your enemy. Doing just enough is your rival. Merely complying with requests is your nemesis.
High expectations demand that you do more, reach higher and go farther. All of which requires effort. And that’ s where the challenge lies: Many people are simply unwilling to make the sacrifices required to reach the next level. The late nights. The early mornings. The missed milestones.
You will never see a high performer who doesn’ t have high personal expectations. And they are willing to sacrifice a lot to uphold them. It’ s easy to romanticize the success displayed in public without realizing how much sacrifice occurs in private.
More always requires More. More success requires more sacrifice, more time, more effort.
When I was a hotel concierge, if a guest asked for a dinner recommendation, I did not stop after suggesting a restaurant— I went further: l Printed menus. l Shared personal food recommendations. l Made the reservation. l Arranged transportation, when needed. l Notified the restaurant of guests’ preferences or special occasions. l Asked the maître d’ to greet the guests personally. l Shared a message with the restaurant staff to wish the guests a pleasant meal.
Always more. Always high expectations. I know a spa attendant who loves motivational quotes. When guests check out, she hands them a small card with an inspiring message— helping to curate a memorable farewell experience.
Always more. Always high expectations. As a keynote speaker, I study my client’ s vision, mission, values and company culture. I learn key jargon and staff members’ names. My follow-up process is even more detailed. Yes, I could just show up, speak and leave— but that would be the bare minimum. That is the opposite of high expectations.
Always more. Always high expectations. When done consistently, high expectations become your reputation.
Throughout 2025, leadership expert Dr. Bryan K. Williams will share his insights in a dynamic four-part series on the power of setting high expectations. Discover how fostering high expectations across all spa stakeholders can drive exceptional experiences and elevate performance. The first lesson—” Expect More, Lead More: The Art of Setting Stubbornly High Standards”— appeared in the March / April Pulse.
This“ High Expectations” series builds on Dr. Williams’ s Manager Skills Course, available on iLearn.
experienceispa. com / iLearn
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