Details

Not long ago, while walking through Chicago, I noticed something small—something most people wouldn’t have seen. A building had decorative elements designed to make it look like it was bolted together like some giant piece of machinery crafted with care. But some of those decorative bolts were missing. And in that moment, the illusion broke. The building that had seemed so solid, so thoughtfully designed, now felt incomplete—as if someone had stopped paying attention.

The next morning, I pointed it out to a friend. His response? “Most people walking by probably don’t even notice.” He was right. And that made me sad.

Why? Because details matter—especially for leaders.

The world is full of people who walk past the small things without seeing them. But as leaders, we are called to notice. We’re called to care about the bolts, literal or metaphorical, that hold things together. Because whether or not people consciously see the details, they feel the difference those details make.

The missing bolts on that building didn’t just mar its appearance; they communicated something deeper. They hinted that, at some point, someone stopped caring. Or, at least, they stopped caring enough to maintain the standard. And when carelessness creeps into small things, it often finds its way into larger things too.

When leaders pay attention to details, they send a message: This matters. You matter. Our mission matters. The details reflect the heart behind the work. Whether it’s the way we prepare for a meeting, the tone of an email, or how we follow through on commitments—small things tell a big story.

The details leaders focus on will, over time, define an organization’s culture. If we value excellence, that value should show up in the little things: the cleanliness of shared spaces, the accuracy of a report, the way we greet visitors.

On the other hand, if we excuse or ignore small breakdowns, we send a signal that the standard doesn’t really matter. And soon, mediocrity spreads like a slow leak. People stop tightening the bolts, because they think no one notices anyway.

As leaders, we set the tone. Our attention to detail tells our teams what is important and what isn’t.

When people see that their leaders are consistent in small things, they’re more likely to trust them with big things. It’s reassuring to follow someone who notices—and addresses—the missing bolts. It says, “You can count on me not to let things slide when it matters most.”

Think about the leaders you admire. Chances are, they’re not just big-vision people. They’re also people who follow through, who remember what they say, who check the small print, and who do what they say they will do. Our founder, Garman Kimmell, would walk down the front of the building to pick up a piece of trash he had seen when coming into work. People noticed and followed suit.

For those of us who want to honor God in our leadership, paying attention to details is part of good stewardship. Scripture reminds us that “whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10). The small things prepare us for greater responsibility. They are the proving ground of character.

Most people will walk by. Most won’t notice the gaps. But leaders aren’t called to be like most people. We are called to see. To care. To fix what’s broken. To set a standard of excellence, even in the small things. Because, in the end, the little details aren’t so little after all. They’re what hold the whole together—the Bison Way.