Once you’ve aligned colleagues to a definition of discipline (as covered in PART 1), the next step is to clarify what discipline looks like in action.
Remember, remember, remember: Human beings have a difficult time resisting their own good ideas. Therefore, what you think discipline looks like is only interesting to others. What your colleagues think of discipline is powerful and memorable to them.
Here is a guide you might use to start, amplify or test ideas.
The 5 Principles of Discipline:
1. Consistency over intensity: Discipline is a steady way of operating, not a heroic, heavy lift.
2. Choose excellence rather than compliance: Discipline fueled by self-determination energizes. Imposed, it becomes labor—and fades.
3. Liberation, not limitation: Saying “no” to the unnecessary creates clarity and unlocks energy for what’s essential.
4. Individual accountability with shared responsibility: Each person owns and delivers their commitments while actively supporting others in achieving theirs.
5. Discipline demands debate: Productive conflict and constructive candor eliminate the quiet tolerance of mediocrity.
How important is it to improve the execution of plans? Rhetoric won’t get it done. Leadership will.
Discipline is a mindset and a skill to be practiced in concert with colleagues. You can strengthen it from any role you play.