I don't think high standards are the same as expectations, and it seems obvious to me how that misunderstanding can lead to poor management practice. Some peop

I don't think high standards are the same as expectations, and it seems obvious to me how that misunderstanding can lead to poor management practice. Some people, given a certain task, max out lower or higher than others. Which is, people have different aptitudes for each task. If the bar to be 'ok' is high enough to where not every person may meet it, and they're truly doing their best, then there's a management problem. You can push people psychologically, and gently, and be within the confines of what I think is considered good management practice. But pushing people physically, and pushing them in a way that's mechanical, like a global quota, that's harmful to a person. Just simply falling short of something and hearing "well, you fucked that up, don't let that happen again." instead of "hey, you're fucking up, do you need help? Is there anything wrong?" is enough to almost ensure that the person will fall short again. It's cliche to say that honey catches more flies than gall, but damn if it isn't true. However, starving the flies until gall is all that's left is diabolical. Sorry for rant, but I've lived like those DC workers are living, and its not pleasant.