LIFE WITH QUALITY

“Quality is never an accident; It is always the result of high intention,
sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution;
It represents the wise choice of many alternatives.
It also marks the search for an ideal;
-after necessity has been satisfied and mere usefulness achieved”

The above quotation is generally ascribed to PFC. William A. Foster, a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart for his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” in 1945, during The Battle of Okinawa in World War II. It describes in a very simple, but comprehensive way, the true meaning of Quality.

The definition of Quality is never precise. It is multifaceted and most often based on such factors as personal values, context, previous experience, and expectations of the observer. The most dominant characteristic is its complexity. It is used in so many different situations that its real definition is unique to the individual and to how he chooses to frame it. If a group of people were asked to define the term, they are more likely to give completely different answers, and less likely to exhibit unanimous agreement.

Whatever the context however, the term Quality refers to the inherent or distinguishing property or characteristic which can be easily recognized, if not clearly understood. It is that personal trait, or character, or appearance, or action that identifies it as unique and special, and worthy of notice. Quality, whether it relates to a person, an object, an action or a thought will always stand out when measured against the standard. It is an action worthy of respect and emulation in every aspect of life. Without its example to compare, life will quickly deteriorate into mediocrity.

Each individual functions under his own personal standards and his own expectations. Contrary to the generally accepted view, quality is not achieved by following a special set of protocols or by copying a successful blueprint. Quality is about commitment and effort and dedication to a personal ideal, and by a willingness to express and to act according to these ideals irrespective of the prevailing norms. Quality is recognizable and consistent and reproducible, and to be successful, requires a degree of commitment and confidence in any action contemplated. Hence, this has given rise to often repeated and quite appropriate statement:

“I don’t know how to describe it,
but I know it when I see it”

All of us in our day-to-day lives inevitably search out and try to adopt the quality actions of others and incorporate them into our own. When faced with situations needing resolution, we will subconsciously look for solutions from others whom we respect, who we place in the “quality bracket”. These people, by their impact upon us, have earned our respect and our recognition. They readily stand out and we usually have no difficulty in identifying them.

Over the years, in my own life, like so many others, I have been exposed to a large multitude of quality encounters, whether they be people, events or situations, that have profoundly impacted me. In one way or another, these experiences have served to mould me into the person I am today. Like my Science teacher who taught me the meaning of dedication, or my Uncle, who taught me the principles of honor and justice, or my Priest, from whom I learnt the meaning God’s love to all, or the Gentle woman who showed me the beauty of having total faith even in times of turmoil, or the Neighbor whose life was devoid of envy or the Business man who was committed to the welfare of his workers at all cost, or my Father whose life was committed to the welfare of his family and his good name. These are all quality people whose lives were examples of genuine quality living.

This is but a minute list of all the quality encounters that have served to influence me and to instill a desire to grow and improve. Nothing in our lives can serve as effectively as the direct and indirect influence of quality on our progress, and nothing is more damaging than our resistance or rejection of the quality people or events in our lives. If we should remember anything we should remember that nothing is more important to our living than to regularly search out and learn from quality opportunities around us.
In the end, I can not do any better than to draw your attention to Robert Louis Stevenson, the celebrated 19th century Scottish author, poet and essayist, who described the true impact of Quality in our lives in the following way:

We must accept life for what it actually is;
- a challenge to our quality.
Without which we would never know of what stuff we are made,
or grow to our full stature.


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I realized that quality is not about using a particular method,
or following some canned program.
Quality is about commitment and communication.
……James H. Burrill

Quality is everyone's responsibility.
………W. Edwards Deming

Quality is not an act, it is a habit.
……. Aristotle

Associate yourself with men of good Quality,
if you esteem your own reputation;
It is better be alone than in bad company.
…….George Washington

It is the Quality of our work which will please God
…… and not the quantity.
…Mohandas Gandhi

Quality begins on the inside,
... and then works its way out.
…… Bob Moawad

Quality means doing it right when no one is looking
…….Henry Ford

The Quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.
……..Martin Luther King Jr

The quality of human life is in direct proportion to
their commitment to excellence;
…….Regardless of the chosen field.
…..Vince Lombardi