In this podcast, we explore a question that quietly shapes every classroom, team, and organization:
What gets ignored, and what gets corrected?
Through stories from basketball officiating, classroom teaching, and school leadership, George Couros reflects on how inconsistent expectations can unintentionally shape culture. Why do some people get held to impossible standards while others are continually excused? And what message does that send to the people who consistently show up, care deeply, and do the right thing?
This conversation dives into:
• Why inconsistent accountability erodes trust
• How low expectations can quietly become normalized
• The hidden cost of overburdening high performers
• What people actually notice in leadership and culture
• How expectations ultimately shape organizational culture
As discussed in “Forward, Together,” culture is not only built through mission statements or strategic plans, but also through what leaders permit, ignore, correct, and reinforce every single day.
Questions for reflection:
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What behaviors are being unintentionally normalized in your organization?
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Are your highest performers being developed, or simply relied upon?
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What do people learn from what gets ignored?
“When we excuse poor behavior long enough, it becomes normalized. And when we punish excellence too often, it becomes unsustainable.”
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👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
Follow George Couros:
X: https://x.com/gcouros
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
📚 Books by George Couros:
Forward, Together:
https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Music from Bensound -http://bensound.com/
