Remember the fire in the belly you felt on the way to achieving a goal? The goal might have involved a project execution, career advancement, or a sports championship. You came to work each day focused and energized. Yet as you reached your goal, it’s likely that a subtle process began to take hold, one […]
posted on November 6, 2021 by
The Difference Between Success and Excellence
Most people believe success and excellence are interchangeable terms. After all, if I’m successful I’m excellent, right? Not so fast… Results Versus Potential Success is an absolute term. If you are the highest producing salesperson, win the game, or beat the earnings forecast, you are successful. Success in the performance world is about achieving outcomes […]
posted on September 18, 2019 by
Understanding Process and Outcome
If I had to choose a single concept most important to achieving sustainable excellence, it would be understanding the relationship between process and outcome. This principle is key to professional excellence but also to realizing your full potential in any area of life. Master this concept and life becomes simpler, more productive, and more focused. […]
posted on July 31, 2018 by
What Motivates You?
You’ve seen the familiar headlines. A professional athlete destroys his locker after a loss…or complains that he isn’t getting the ball enough…or gripes about other teammates to the press rather than behind closed doors. The executive lavishly refurbishes his office with shareholder money, as if to create a personal shrine…or allows the company to lose […]
posted on May 4, 2017 by
What All Leaders Can Learn from NASCAR
This weekend the NASCAR racing series returns to the Talladega Speedway. Last year I was interviewed by Megan Englehart of Fox Sports about the pressures facing young drivers in the Truck Series elimination race at this track. As the circuit returns to Talladega this year, I’ve reflected on some lessons all leaders can learn from high-pressure events […]
posted on October 4, 2013 by
How Do I Get in the Zone?
You know the feeling. Everything is going your way. The ball goes straight down the fairway every time. Before you hit your shot you KNOW it’s going to be good. The words are rolling off your tongue during the speech or presentation. You have the audience on the edge of their seats. You close the […]
posted on August 16, 2013 by
Radio Interview on the Psychological Aspects of Performance
Enjoyed a great radio interview with Bryce Johnson http://www.unpackinit.com on sport psychology. We discussed a range of topics that also apply to executive coaching and any other performance oriented pursuit. Some of the concepts we discussed include: The importance of psychological skills at the highest level of performance Can mental toughness be learned? How can I […]
posted on April 16, 2013 by
Redefining Passion In Leadership
In your leadership journey you have undoubtedly heard about the need for passion. It’s true that passion is essential to excellence. But I find leadership passion is very misunderstood. Passion comes in many different packages. When we think of passion we often go to images of highly charismatic, often dramatic, leaders giving impassioned speeches to […]
posted on March 7, 2013 by
Why Aren’t More People Excellent?
The Bell Curve Theory of Life Most of us are familiar with the bell curve. Statistically, on many characteristics (such as height) people fall along a continuum. Most are near the average and very few are exceptional at both ends. There are lots of 5’9″ males and not very many 5’1″ or 7’1″ males in […]
posted on August 1, 2012 by
USA Women’s Gymnastics: A True High-Performance Team
There are numerous articles and books about high-performance teams. I am influenced by these sources and use them in my work with executive and sport teams. However, when you are witnessing a true high-performance team in real time you are emotionally moved and intuitively understand the elements involved. I had that experience while watching the […]