Most of us desire to become an employee seen as having “high potential” for the future – and, the increased responsibilities and pay that come with it.  So, I thought it might be helpful to list some of the factors that can help drive your potential for advancement and that differentiate top performers.  In general, top performers:

1. Consistently exceed expectations for results – needless to say, a top performer must be an individual that gets things done.  It is not enough to barely attain job expectations, you must go above and beyond to achieve what most others would not or could not have attained.
2. Consistently demonstrate and model key behaviors – results alone do not define top performers – how they achieve results is also very important.  It is virtually impossible to be a top performer without demonstrating engagement, competitiveness, collaboration, high-performing approach, and trustworthiness.  Top performers not only exhibit these hallmarks, but they serve as the model to others.  In other words, these individuals are the ones you point to when you are describing what the hallmarks mean.
3. Consistently exhibit appropriate professional behavior – in additional to exhibiting the proper behavioral attributes, top performers also behave professionally.  This means that you treat others with respect, display the appropriate demeanor, respect the time of others, exhibit appropriate language, fulfill obligations, etc.  In short, professional behavior means to act the way your mother hoped you would.
4. Volunteer for challenging assignments – a top performer is often the first to volunteer for a difficult assignment.  He/She does not shy away from challenges and will do whatever it takes to meet a customer need, solve a compliance issue, and support the team.
5. Understand and exhibit the concept of “adding value” – a top performer would never “confuse effort with results.”  A top performer understands that our driving attitude must be one that adds value.  In other words, this individual makes our company better, improves patient experience, reduces costs, improves productivity, reduces risks, enhances systems, improves morale, etc.
6. Exhibit flexibility (or the ability to readily shift to other roles) – in most cases, individuals deemed as top performers have the ability to serve in more than one capacity.  I have often heard someone say of another, “That individual would be successful in any role they were assigned.”  Developing multiple skills, being flexible, learning transferrable skills, etc. are important attributes of top employees.
7. Demonstrate adaptability or willingness to try something new – it is very typical that top performers readily shift outside their comfort zone.  Being willing to shift to the unknown makes an employee more valuable to the organization.
8. Are consistently connected with successful activities – one way to identify a top performer is to look for successful operations.  Top performers are usually known as “winners” – that is, they are connected to success because they help drive the success of the team.
9. Are consistently viewed as the “go to” individual in the group – top performers are usually individuals that understand more, know more, can explain better, are more willing to help, and work well with others.
10. Develop good relationships with teammates, colleagues, and others – and finally, top performers are individuals you want to work with.  These individuals are wanted by others and they promote collaboration simply because they work well with others.

In short, top performers are those individuals you would choose, if you were starting your own business.  These are the individuals that provoke a response of “amazing!” when you ask, “What kind of company would ours be if every one of our employees was just like him/her?”  These are the employees you would want your son/daughter to model.

So, the bottom line is this… If you want to be considered a top performer or high potential employee, how many of these ten attributes do you routinely exhibit?  Which of these represents the greatest opportunity for improvement for you?  How can you differentiate yourself like the top performers you work with every day?

Yes, I’ve been known to say that from time to time.  The effects of stress are well known: harmful health impacts, poor decision-making, lack of decision-making, strained relationships, inefficiency, etc., etc.  In addition, stress has a way of making work more like “work.”  So, what is the remedy to stress?  Is stress really self-inflicted?

Here are a few hints that I’ve gathered over the last three or more decades about dealing with stress in the workplace.  And, keep in mind that I am not typically a nonchalant individual.  My mother used to call me hyperactive (a term that had not even been invented yet).  My wife used to say that I started getting worked up at the 4^th of July before a road trip we planned for the winter.  So, let’s just say that I’ve learned a thing or two over the years.  This is my list of things that can help deal with stress:

1. Don’t speculate – Stop and get the facts.  Sometimes, the issues that are causing our stress are really not all that serious, but we can’t slow down long enough to really consider the facts.  Is the situation real?  What is the worst-case scenario?  Is it truly a risk?  Get the real facts and deal with it with composure.
2. Keep a proper perspective – Understand the relationship between things I control and things I cannot control.  We often stress most over those things we have no control over.  If we can get ourselves to focus on what we can control, we have a better chance of dealing with it and making better decisions.
3. Prioritize – Decide what is most important.  We sometimes get stressed simply because of the workload or myriad of things hitting us at once.  If we can work on the most important first and get that handled, it may help relieve our overall stress level.
4. Err on the side of action – Whether you choose to do the hard things first or easy things first, just do something!  Don’t become paralyzed with inaction.  Get up and get going!
5. Prepare – Making a list often has a soothing effect on me.  Putting things down in black and white so that I can see the list often helps me see more clearly what to tackle, how big the task is, and which things come first.
6. Delegate – Have someone else do it.  We often try to take on too much ourselves and, as a result, pile on the stress.  Allowing someone else to take on some activities can both help them and us be removing items from our list.
7. Consider the what if’s – Consider alternatives and contingencies.  If there is something truly significant that is causing stress in our lives, it often helps to look at ways around the problem or at least to plan for the impacts that will occur to us.
8. Diversions – Music, chocolate, take a walk, pet the dog, watch a movie.  Sometimes, enjoying an activity like this can help clear our mind and allow us to make better decisions around the problems we face.
9. Share the burden – Talk it over with someone else.  Often, it helps to take our burdens and at least voice them to someone else.  The other person may actually be able to offer suggestions or support that will help us face the issues.
10. Prepare to learn – Look for the lessons.  Sometimes, the best thing we can do is to know that what we learn may help someone else in the future.  This is called experience.  The things we experience can help us with similar events in the future or they can allow us to help someone else when they face future issues.

That’s it… stress-free in ten easy points.  Yes, this is easier said than done.  However, you might pick something up from this list that can help the next time you find yourself up to your ears in problems.

 

Not long ago, a one of my good friends asked me if there was any band or person, dead or alive, that I would pay $1000 to see in concert.  Of course, he was probably thinking of the all-time greats, such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, etc. when he asked the question.  But, my answer was quick and easy… yes, I would pay $1000 to hear my Dad sing “Little Brown Jug” or “Jimmy Crack Corn” one more time – but this time to one of my seven grandchildren.  If fact, I would pay a whole lot more to see that.  My father has been gone now for over twenty years and I still think about him and the influence he had on my life every day.

I am often known as the individual that says, “This could be our best day yet!”  You might be thinking that a “best day” would be the day you finally receive that promotion you’ve worked so hard to get.  Or, you could be thinking this is the day you win the lottery.  Or, the day your son or daughter achieves something truly big.  Or, the day you attain that world-wide recognition you deserve.  Or, that day you finally finish a project that has been nagging you for months.  Sure, any of these could contribute to a “best day.”  But, for me, when I think of my very best days, they are days spent with the people I love.  I think of days filled with fun and laughter.  Or, I remember good times with good friends, some no longer in my life.  I think of winning, and celebrating, or just enjoying the beauty of the world around me.  I think of every new day with my bride of almost forty years.  I think of those I wish I could speak to just one more time.

So, remember that you might look back tomorrow and say that today truly was your very best day yet. Don’t take today for granted. So, have a good one – perhaps your very best yet!  And, take the time to give your love to those special people in your lives.  Never take times you have with them for granted.