“Something deep in the human heart breaks at the thought of a life of mediocrity.” ― C. S. Lewis

In literature, in media and most certainly in the workplace, mediocrity carries a decidedly negative connotation. Nobody wants to be merely mediocre.

Google “mediocrity” and you’ll get results such as “What To Do About Mediocrity on Your Team,” and “Mediocrity Is a Virus — Here’s How to Banish It From Your Life.” Article after article tells us that mediocrity is a slippery slope to complete failure.

Excellence, on the other hand, has become an aspirational gold standard. To strive for excellence is to dodge mediocrity at all costs.

Every day, news outlets publish stories telling us how to emulate the Steve Jobs, the Oprah Winfrey’s and the Tom Bradys of the world.