8 Steps to High Performance

1. Set ambitious goals and seek regular coaching to drive high performance

Bigger goals increase what you deliver.

Focus on fewer, bigger goals. High performers concentrate on 3-5 ambitious "promises" that will make the most significant impact, rather than a long list of small objectives. These goals should be specific, important, and measurable. For example, "Launch new customer relationship management system with 90% user satisfaction" is a strong, focused goal.

Seek regular coaching. Use the "2+2" coaching method: every three months, ask your manager for two comments on your progress towards your promises and two "feedforward" suggestions to enhance your performance. This approach provides specific, actionable guidance without dwelling on past mistakes.

• Write your goals as SIMple promises: Specific (10 words or less), Important to the organization, and Measurable
• Regularly review and adjust your goals to maintain focus and relevance
• Proactively seek feedback and coaching to stay on track and improve continuously

2. Understand and adapt your behaviors to excel in different situations

You control your behaviors.

Know your natural tendencies. Your personality influences your behaviors, but doesn't control them. Understand your "Big 5" personality traits (Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Openness to Experience) to identify your strengths and potential blind spots.

Adapt to what's needed. Different situations call for different behaviors. Learn to recognize when to display "emerging leader" behaviors (promoting ideas, making connections, showing ambition) versus "effective leader" behaviors (communicating vision, upgrading talent, providing honest coaching). Be aware of your potential "derailers" – behaviors that can undermine your success if overused.

• Take a personality assessment to understand your natural tendencies
• Regularly seek feedback on your behaviors from colleagues and superiors
• Practice adapting your behaviors to different situations and roles
• Identify and manage your potential derailers to avoid career-limiting habits

3. Accelerate your growth through targeted experiences and feedback

Since the 70/20/10 ratio indicates that experiences best accelerate your development, you should regularly ask yourself, "What next experience will most quickly move my career in the desired direction?"

Create a personal experience map. Identify the key functional and management experiences that will propel your career forward. Interview experts in your field to understand what experiences are most valuable. Focus on gaining diverse experiences across different business lifecycles, management challenges, and geographic regions.

Maximize learning from each experience. Treat each new experience as a learning opportunity. Regularly debrief with your manager or mentor to extract key lessons and insights. Seek feedback on your performance and areas for improvement.

• Develop a "from/to" statement to clarify your development goals
• Create and regularly update your personal experience map
• Proactively seek out new experiences that stretch your capabilities
• After each significant experience, conduct a structured debrief to capture learnings

4. Build strategic connections to enhance your career prospects

Those with stronger networks have higher salaries, more promotions over their careers, and greater career satisfaction.

Develop a connection strategy. Focus on building relationships with your manager, high-performing peers, and influential leaders in your organization and industry. Use a connection planning sheet to track and plan your networking efforts.

Master the art of connecting. Practice strategies like helping others, asking for advice, and showing genuine interest in people's work and interests. Remember that even if networking feels uncomfortable, it's a crucial skill for career advancement.

• Identify 3-5 key people to build stronger relationships with each quarter
• Schedule regular check-ins, coffee meetings, or lunches with your network
• Offer help and support to others before asking for favors
• Attend industry events and join professional organizations to expand your network
• Use the "norm of reciprocity" by helping others, which makes them more likely to help you in return

5. Align your capabilities with your company's evolving needs

Companies change faster than people do, and they require different capabilities than their leaders as they change.

Understand your company's strategy and change needs. Regularly assess where your company falls on the "fit matrix" – is it focused on innovation or efficiency? Is it experiencing high or low change? This will help you identify the capabilities and behaviors that will be most valued.

Manage your fit. If there's a gap between your natural tendencies and what the company needs, develop a plan to close that gap. This might involve learning new skills, adapting your behaviors, or seeking out experiences that align with the company's direction.

• Regularly review your company's strategy and future plans
• Assess your natural fit using the fit matrix assessment
• Develop a plan to close any gaps between your current capabilities and what the company needs
• Discuss your fit assessment and development plan with your manager

6. Learn to "fake it" by displaying behaviors that drive success

What matters most is to recognize the few, most powerful behaviors or actions to display during typical management challenges—what you may need to fake and when.

Understand the power of impression management. Recognize that sometimes you need to display behaviors that don't come naturally to you in order to succeed. This isn't about being inauthentic, but about adapting to what the situation requires.

Master key behaviors for different career stages. Learn to display "emerging leader" behaviors when you're starting out or in a new role, and "effective leader" behaviors as you advance. Practice demonstrating power and influence when needed, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

• Identify the key behaviors needed for success in your current role and next career step
• Practice "faking" these behaviors until they become more natural
• Remember that it's okay to adapt your behavior to the situation – it's a skill, not dishonesty
• Use feedback and self-reflection to ensure you're striking the right balance between adaptation and authenticity

7. Optimize your sleep and exercise for peak mental performance

Sleep quality matters more than sleep quantity; six to seven hours is the sleep sweet spot.

Prioritize sleep quality. Focus on getting 6-7 hours of high-quality sleep rather than obsessing over hitting 8 hours. Create a consistent sleep schedule and avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime.

Use strategic naps and caffeine. When sleep quality or quantity is low, use a 10-minute nap (the optimal length) or strategic caffeine consumption to boost alertness and performance. Remember that naps are more effective than caffeine for cognitive performance.

Exercise strategically. While not as directly impactful as sleep, regular exercise can improve executive functioning. Aim for at least 20 minutes of intense exercise, combining aerobic and resistance training, preferably in the morning.

• Establish a consistent sleep schedule and pre-bed routine
• When sleep-deprived, take a 10-minute nap or use caffeine strategically
• Aim for 20+ minutes of intense exercise, combining cardio and strength training, ideally in the morning
• Be aware that low sleep quality affects mood more than low quantity – manage your interactions accordingly on low-quality sleep days

8. Avoid performance-sapping management fads and focus on proven strategies

High performers need to be more strategic in how they apply them.

Be skeptical of popular management trends. Many widely-promoted concepts like "focus on your strengths," "emotional intelligence," or "power posing" lack solid scientific evidence or are oversimplified versions of more complex ideas.

Rely on proven, scientifically-backed strategies. Instead of chasing the latest fad, focus on the fundamentals that have been consistently proven to drive performance: setting clear goals, adapting behaviors to situations, gaining diverse experiences, building strategic relationships, aligning with company needs, and optimizing your physical and mental state.

• Question popular management advice and look for scientific evidence
• Focus on mastering the fundamentals of high performance rather than quick fixes
• Be wary of oversimplified or one-size-fits-all approaches to performance improvement
• Remember that sustainable high performance comes from consistent application of proven strategies, not from following the latest trends

Last updated: October 3, 2024