The Meaning of “The Worst Enemy of the Best is the Good”

Stephen R. Covey’s phrase “The worst enemy of the best is the good” underscores a significant barrier to achieving excellence: complacency with mediocrity. “The good” represents satisfactory choices that can prevent individuals and organizations from pursuing their highest potential and embracing necessary, transformative actions. This state of acceptance leads to inaction, missed opportunities, and increased crises, as people settle for “good enough” solutions instead of striving for the best outcomes. Covey emphasizes the importance of prioritization, urging individuals to say “no” to appealing but secondary activities in favor of tasks aligned with core values that have a greater long-term impact. This principle is critical when addressing urgent global issues like climate change and biodiversity loss, where societies often adopt incremental solutions that fall short of what is needed. The danger lies in fixating on immediate negative consequences, which can distract from the essential, bold actions required for long-term survival and prosperity. By understanding this dynamic, we can recognize how settling for “the good” can ultimately lead to “the bad,” resulting in suffering and environmental degradation, necessitating a shift towards ambitious, principled responses.