Traits of a High-Performer

 Jennifer Morris, MD MBA

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Performing successfully requires performing well, and performing at this level consistently to achieve true potential and be successful in life. Accomplishing this requires several life organization strategies to perform: 

1. Understanding effective goal-setting: goals guide what an individual is striving for. Written goals are more compelling, as they create a contract with the self. Additionally, written goals lead to real, actionable steps that serve to note progression (or lack thereof) toward the goal. Setting intermediate goals alleviates the pressure of attempting to create too much at once, and also alleviates next-step uncertainty. Effective communication with others at this step is critical for effective goal-setting, whether that be a work team or a support system. In setting goals, one takes on role of a leader by setting good examples, taking interest in the success of others and the direction of the project/company, and assisting others in furthering the progress. 

In setting professional goals, it is also helpful to examine personal life goals and to align personal and professional behaviors. Do your personal routines (drinking, exercise, interpersonal connections, hobbies, time management, and  self-love) further your professional goals?

Setting goals also allows independent working and being able to work with less supervision. The roadmap is there; having this visualized and expressed reduces the need for micromanagement and the drive for others to micromanage. 

2. The ability to  convert uncertainty and/or worry into actionable items: avoid being paralyzed by fear and anxiety, or worrying about the future and unknowns;  convert anxiety into take-action momentum.  Work towards goals, attending to both personal and professional life. Persist and persevere through challenges...if anxiety persists, bring it along for the ride (Acceptance and commitment therapy is a powerful strategy for this--for more information review Harris' work .)  Differentiate unproductive versus productive anxiety. For example, if there is  anticipatory anxiety about an upcoming performance; set goals of preparing for the performance by identifying and undertaking actionable steps (practice, repetition) that reduce anticipatory anxiety and lead rather to preparation. In this instance, anticipatory anxiety is the catalyst that leads to being more prepared for the task at hand. Ruminating, on the other hand, is counter-productive and leads to more stress and less productivity.

 In pursuing this preparation, do not neglect work-life balance. Set boundaries, and mindfully chose time allotments or time spent in each sphere. 

3. Adopt a growth-mindset:  based in self-compassion, reflection, and input rather than blame-casting and fear.

Fixed Mindset                                        Growth Mindset

Success comes from talent                       Success comes from effort

I'm either smart or dumb                           I can grow my intelligence

I don't like challenges                                I embrace challenges as a chance to grow

Failure means I can't do it                         Failure is an opportunity to learn something new

Feedback is personal attack                       Feedback helps me grow

If you succeed I am threatened                  If you succeed, I am inspired

If something is too hard I give up              I keep trying even through frustration

Hide flaws                                                 View failure as opportunity

Effort is fruitless                                        Effort is the path to mastery

4. Avoid overloading: The most effective professionals avoid overloading, which decreases efficiency. 

have professional and personal routines. Routines are essential to achieve peak performance. Be strategic and mindful of how/when/what is done in a day. If you are a morning person, slate challenges for then, and rote tasks for after lunch. Alternatively, if your maximum effectiveness occurs after a 10 am coffee-break, schedule that challenging call for then. Tie noxious activities to positive ones, to reward yourself for a task accomplished. Realize that if there is an aspect of your career that is particularly draining for you, it may not be so for another team member or coworker; leverage the talents and interests of your workgroup (without dodging work.)

Mindfulness creates a stabilizing anchor, reducing anticipatory anxiety and allowing maximum efficiency. Give yourself a performance review, and adjust routines as needed.  Limit distractions; avoid unnecessary web searches and scrolling,  limit lengthy meetings/calls, set your phone to silent or to a select group only ringing through, to regulate your input and maximize mindfulness to the tasks at hand. Remember...multitasking just means doing a number of activities halfway.  

Consider these strategies to assist in performing well consistently. With a few tweaks, we can move the metrics towards achieving our personal and professional performance goals. 

1. Choulet, Brook. 3 common skills of high performers: what differentiates the highly successful performer from the rest. Psychology today: 4 jan 2024; accessed 7/15/24.  

2. Castrillon, Caroline. 5 proven habits of high performers. Forbes: jan 19, 2022. accessed 7/15/24. 

3. Eads, Audrey. 9 traits of high performers (and tips on how to become one.) https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/high-performers. accessed 7/15/24. 

4. Harris, Russ. The Confidence Gap: A Guide to Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt. ISBN 9781611802276.