Episode #293 // “I look at my high performers with one thought in mind: What will it take for them to get to the next level?”

When you focus on setting a high standard for performance, it’s easy to fall into the habit of managing the exceptions — to focus on the people who fall behind, or don’t meet the minimum standard you’re trying to preserve.

The old saying that the squeakiest wheel gets the oil is as true in the leadership context as it is in every other aspect of life!

When people don’t perform to the required level, it’s only natural to want to help them… to coach, guide, and motivate them, so that they can perform successfully. So you can spend a hell of a lot of time and energy focusing on people who, quite often, have absolutely no interest in lifting their performance to meet your expectations.

And, while you’re busy focusing on the under-performers, it’s easy to forget about the people in the team who are self-sufficient… the ones who just get the job done… the ones who don’t suck your time and energy, because they consistently do things the way you expect them to.

We’re quietly grateful for the ones who don’t constantly demand our attention, but this often leads to an unintended consequence: a few of these reliable people are genuine high performers, and neglecting them costs you way more than any of your under-performers ever could!

In this episode, I start with the critical question, “Do you know who your high performers are… really?!”; I then give you some surefire ways to lead your team so that you get the most from your best; and, of course, I give you a few traps for young players that you should try to avoid.