Ruth Gotian, an expert in mentorship and leadership development, shares insights on how to effectively lead and retain high performers. She emphasizes that top achievers can deliver up to 400% more than average employees, highlighting the importance of autonomy and tailored opportunities for engagement. Ruth also discusses the significance of fostering a strong team culture through core values like joy and compassion. Intrinsic motivation, stemming from personal fulfillment, is key to recognizing and developing talent, ultimately driving organizational excellence.
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insights INSIGHT
High Performer Productivity
High performers contribute significantly more, producing 400% more than average employees.
Despite this, organizations often overlook them, focusing instead on low performers.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Autonomy for High Performers
Grant high performers autonomy and align their authority with their responsibilities.
Allow them to take risks and potentially fail without facing penalties.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Jamaican Bobsled Team
Ruth Gotian shares the story of Devin Harris and the Jamaican bobsled team.
Despite fear of speed and heights, Harris, a three-time Olympian, exemplifies the high performer's drive to try.
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Developing the Mindset and Skillset for Peak Business Performance
Ruth Gotian
Ruth Gotian's "The Success Factor" provides a practical framework for understanding and leading high-performing individuals. The book delves into the unique characteristics and motivations of high achievers, offering insights into how to foster their growth and maximize their contributions. Gotian's research-based approach emphasizes the importance of autonomy, mentorship, and intrinsic motivation in retaining top talent. The book challenges traditional management approaches, advocating for a more supportive and empowering leadership style. Ultimately, "The Success Factor" equips leaders with the tools to cultivate a high-performing culture within their organizations.
Ruth Gotian: The Success Factor
Ruth Gotian has been hailed by the journal Nature and Columbia University as an expert in mentorship and leadership development. In 2021, she was selected as one of 30 people worldwide to be named to the Thinkers50 Radar List, where she was described as a “Prolific mentor and educator, leading important research into the secrets of success.” She is a semi-finalist for the Forbes 50 Over 50 list and has coached and mentored hundreds of people throughout her career.
In addition to being published in academic journals, Ruth is a contributor to Forbes and Psychology Today, where she writes about optimizing success. She is the Chief Learning Officer in Anesthesiology and former Assistant Dean of Mentoring and Executive Director of the Mentoring Academy at Weill Cornell Medicine, where she is a faculty member. Ruth is the author of The Success Factor: Developing the Mindset and Skillset for Peak Business Performance*.
In this conversation, Ruth and I discuss how leaders can genuinely connect with (and retain) their top performers. We explore the difference these employees make in organizations and what’s unique about how they approach work and their careers. Ruth then suggests a number of practical steps to engage high performers genuinely to develop them well and benefit the entire organization.
Key Points
High achievers can produce up to 400 percent more than the average employee.
Promotions, diplomas, and awards may be starting points for high performers, but they are not ending points. Leading high performers well requires you to align with their intrinsic motivation.
Offer high performers opportunities for exposure with visibility to senior leadership, strengths assignments, and decision-making.
Provide autonomy to high performers. For them, the chase is as exciting as the win. They fear not trying more than failing.
Recognize that internal professional development programs may not be sufficient for the demands of high performers. Support external opportunities they identify and connect with them during and after those experiences to further their learning (and yours).
Bonus Audio
How to maximize the benefit of sending high achievers to conferences
Resources Mentioned
The Success Factor: Developing the Mindset and Skillset for Peak Business Performance* by Ruth Gotian
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
Six Ways Teaching Adults is Different than Teaching Kids (episode 3)
What High Performers Aren’t Telling You, with Scott Anthony Barlow (episode 466)
How to Multiply Your Impact, with Liz Wiseman (episode 554)
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