Become A High Performer at Work

The only way to make it in this new knowledge-based society is to become a High Performer at work, that is, becoming one of the stars, an individual who stands out far above the crowd and one who is completely unique in a world where everyone is trying to be more alike. The moment you make a deep commitment to becoming that star, burning all your bridges and leaving mediocrity behind, your life will change in an unmistakable way.

Brilliant Strategies to be a High Performer at Work:

Being a High Performer is not always easy, but it is something that anyone with dedication, persistence, and determination can achieve. Most people think that you need to have the experience in a given industry or stream to be a star, but that is a little misguided. It takes more than just years in an industry or organisation. If a person has talent and is dedication to becoming a High Performer, then nothing can stop them. Some simple yet helpful ways to get you on your journey to becoming the High Performer, are listed below.

1. Take initiative

Look for opportunities to set yourself apart from others. Many employees don’t take initiative. Forget the attitude of “this is not part of my role”, or “I don’t get paid enough”. People without initiative may think it’s too much work, they are too busy doing their job, or they have merely become complacent. High performers go the extra mile consistently. Initiative is what many employers and recruiters look for in new hires, yet it is so rare to find in the workplace.

Take initiative by taking on additional responsibility above and beyond your current job description. Look for ways to help coworkers or other departments with specific goals or projects. Don’t be afraid to take some risks. Live by this one statement if you want to become a High Performer:

“If you never do more than what you are being paid for, you will never be paid more for what you do.”

In other words, don’t wait till you get paid to do something extra, do that something extra, with no expectations, and then over a period of time watch the rewards follow.

2. Become a good networker

It is said that we are only 4-5 people away from anything we ever want to be, do, or have. A good network can help you fill in the gaps. You don’t know everything, but if you have a good network of people to draw on, you can usually find someone in that network to help you or at least someone who knows a person that can help you.

3. Excel at self-management

Self-management isn’t about being super organized. It’s about evaluating which activities are important vs. unimportant, and then balancing those against the urgent vs. not urgent. It’s about taking control over your own career path by developing a plan and connecting yourself to the work you most enjoy, and that which benefits the company. High Performers figure out how to leverage their talents and add value to their organizations. Increasing personal effectiveness and efficiency is critical.

4. Be a leader

Not just with people you formally lead already. Be a leader amongst your peers and colleagues as well as others. As a natural leader amongst your peers, you will be respected for your knowledge, expertise, and proven judgment. You position yourself as a person with strong people skills. Demonstrate that you care about people and your colleagues. If you can influence people’s behavior for the better in your organisation without having the direct reporting lines, then you know you are on the right track.

5. Be an intelligent follower

It does not matter how far up the organizational ladder you are. Knowing when to be the leader and when to be the intelligent follower is critical to becoming a High Performer.  To be an intelligent follower, you first need to know how to lead yourself and then who to follow. Intelligent followers have focus, our commitment to learning, and understand that they cannot do it all on their own. They recognize when others need to play the starring role. High performers maintain an honest conscience and a high level of integrity. Their own ego is managed and controlled in order to work cooperatively with other leaders.

6. Be a team player

As a strong team player, you can contribute by helping all team members know and understand the team’s purpose. A strong team player also gets the team’s job done by paying attention and contributing to the group dynamics in a constructive and positive manner. A High Performer recognizes the need to accomplish team goals and puts these goals ahead of his/her own ego and agenda.

In Summary

We all have the potential to be High Performers, to awaken our inner star power and become that person at work. Just remember this, it takes the same amount of effort to become a High Performer as it does to accept mediocrity or poor performance. The difference between the two is the type of effort and emotion we choose to take and the decisions we make.

Read How to Be Better In Decision Making