In 2020, when the world stood still, churches scrambled. Businesses panicked. Schools shut their doors. Everyone was trying to figure out how to keep things moving in a world that had suddenly stopped.
But at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, something stood out to me, something different. My pastor, Dr. Major L. Jemison, wasn’t just trying to stay afloat. He was orchestrating excellence.
While other churches rushed to get online and “go live,” Pastor Jemison assembled a whole production team (ministers, musicians, praise singers). But what impressed me most wasn’t just the team; it was the process. Before each virtual service, he required a full rehearsal, not just a soundcheck, but a complete walk-through. He reviewed nearly everything before production, including the order of service and transitions. Every detail mattered to Pastor Jemison. Pandemic or not, we would do it right. That’s what excellence looks like. And when the pandemic faded, that standard remained.
Sadly, I don’t see that everywhere. In too many organizations, especially in small businesses, I see something else: a slow drift into mediocrity. We tolerate sloppiness. We make excuses. We confuse effort with excellence. When we pursue improvements, we sometimes focus too much on the problem rather than the process. Pascal Finette, author of Disrupt Disruption, suggests, “Too often, we fixate on the obstacles rather than the gaps.”
This article examines how today’s small businesses and entrepreneurs can create a culture of excellence.
Today’s small businesses must infuse their organizations with a culture of excellence. But what is culture? Dr. Frank Rothaermel, author of Strategic Leadership, explains: “Organizational culture is the collectively shared values and norms of an organization’s members. Culture expresses itself through artifacts, elements such as the design and layout of physical space, symbols, vocabulary, what stories are told, what events are celebrated, and how they are celebrated.”
Thus, culture is more than a slogan on the wall or a line in your mission statement. Culture embodies what your people do when no one is watching. That means culture is the habits, the standards, and the mindset within your business. As a business owner or entrepreneur, if you want a culture of excellence, it must be built inwardly first. Excellence won’t happen on its own. It must be modeled, expected, and reinforced.
Unfortunately, some individuals confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence is a relentless commitment to doing things well, even when shortcuts are easier. It’s about consistency, care, and character. It shows up in the details, including how you greet a customer, how you respond to feedback, how you prepare for meetings, and how you close your books. Excellence is not about being the biggest or the flashiest. It’s about being reliable, trustworthy, and prepared, every single time.
Below are seven practical ways to build a culture of excellence in your small business or organization:
- Model the Way
Leaders must model what they expect. If you cut corners, your team will too. If you show up prepared, others will follow.
- Set Expectations
Don’t assume people know what “great” looks like. Spell it out. Define what success means in your business, and celebrate it when you see it.
- Provide Clear Communication
Excellence starts before the performance. Just like Pastor Jemison’s rehearsals, excellence is born in preparation. Encourage clarity and consistency in every department.
- Prepare in Advance
Follow up. Give feedback. Excellence thrives where there is accountability.
- Train and Teach Continuously
Train your people, not just once, but consistently. Excellence is a muscle. It gets stronger with use.
- Incorporate Accountability
Pandemics. Shortages. Budgets. Yes, obstacles exist. But excellence finds a way. Build a mindset that focuses on solutions, not setbacks.
- Celebrate Wins
Acknowledge excellence when it shows up. Spotlight those who go the extra mile. It reinforces the culture you’re building.
Conclusion
As I reflect on Pastor Jemison’s 42nd anniversary as the overseer of St. John, I see more than a celebration, I see a masterclass in leadership. I see a man who built a culture that refused to lower the bar, even during a global crisis.
This article has discussed how today’s small businesses and entrepreneurs can create a culture of excellence. That’s not luck. That’s legacy.
Congratulations, Dr. Major L. Jemison, on 42 years of showing us how it’s done, with grace, with discipline, and with excellence.
What culture are you building, in your office, in your staff, in your systems? Excellence is a choice. And it starts with you. Let’s pray it’s not too late.
© 2025 by Dr. Daryl D. Green
