Get to know us
As a team of very different people from very different backgrounds; sporting, corporate, academic, education, we do have one thing in common – a passion for transforming human performance with high performance leadership.
We’re inspired daily by the difference it makes in us and
our customers.
Be true
We are what we are. Just as importantly, we’re not what we’re not; so we don’t try to be that. Ever.
We do what we can to stay true to our customers, our beliefs, our dreams and each other. We believe in what we have to say and it seems that our customers do too. Best to stay true to all that good stuff.
Be passionate
Apparently, we all only ever get one chance to live our lives (although how anyone’s been able to prove that is beyond us).
So, it sort of makes sense to have a good stab at making as much of that one time as possible. If our passion for what we do helps inspire others to do the same (and it seems to), then that’s a happy day for us all that makes us feel even better about ourselves.
Be brave
Someone once told us to do something that challenges us every day. So we do.
By doing so, we’ve found that we never run the risk of standing still, or getting bored or of having our lives ruled by convention and rules laid down by others. We make our own rules up. We’re not saying that they’re definitive they’re just right for us and our clients. And, you know what, that’s good enough for us.
Be curious
Natural human curiosity is a powerful thing. It encourages us to dig deeper, fuelling that precious sense of discovery.
Challenge yourself, your colleagues, customers and convention. Question everything. Ask yourself, ‘Can I do better?’ If you can, work with us and then together, we’ll make sure you go and be better. Trust us – you’ll find that curiosity will take you on much more interesting journeys.
Be simple
The world’s a complicated place. So, ask yourself, ‘what benefit is there in me making it any more complex?’ We keep things simple because, well, we are.
Whenever anyone uses a long word in the office, they’re asked to stand in the naughty corner until they find a simpler way of explaining themselves. We’ve always believed in our ability to help people do what they can do, but don’t. See. Simple.
Be human
We’re in this together.
Rather than ever allow ourselves to get immersed in our senses of self importance (that wouldn’t take long), we work hard to never lose sight of the fact that we’re just a likeminded group of people, all intent on helping people (ourselves included) perform to the best of their abilities. We’re comfortable in our own skin, knowing who we are, and importantly, what we’re not. By working with us, we’re sure you’ll feel the same way.
The rules
Inspired by the fabulous Velominati, we’ve anointed ourselves as the Performerati, keepers of the human performance rules. We’d love to know what you think and if there are any you’d like to add – get in touch!
It never gets easier, you just perform better
You have a duty to be dissatisfied with the status quo, however great that is. You must always look for areas of improvement unless you consider yourself to be the finished article in which case see Rule 20.
Love the one you are with
Some choose to become experts at describing the conditions and how tough and unfair they are. It’s an interesting expertise though not a particularly useful one. You learn to love or embrace the conditions you’re in, whatever they are, because that’s what it takes.
There is a correct answer
There’s no such thing as a stupid question (though some get pretty close) but there are some really stupid answers. Bloke down the pub conversations don’t count as evidence however many quizzes you’ve won. 40 years of research is there for a reason. Everyone’s got an opinion on human performance and motivation. A few of those people actually know what they’re talking about.
Be boring
Be great at the basics – raft building, walking over hot coals or breaking arrows has nothing to do with high performance leadership. It may be entertaining but if it’s entertainment you’re after, go to the cinema. Get great at the basics of doing your job, making sure your technical and tactical skills are superb and relevant. Then get great at the other basics – your mentality, your energy levels, your support team and your environment.
Talent is overrated, hard work isn’t
Everyone has talent, but what you do with it and how you grow it is what makes a difference. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Relying on your strengths is lazy. Knowing them, valuing them and building them is what matters.
You’re on a talent development programme
Whether you like it or not. If you haven’t been invited onto the formal talent development programme because you’re too small, too big, your face doesn’t fit, you don’t know the right people or you’re lazy, then put your own programme together. If you’re not invited because you have nothing to offer then see Rule 20.
Don’t motivate people
It’s a waste of time and space. Instead help them remember why they’re doing it, why they should be confident and to focus on the things they can control.
It may not be your fault, though you are responsible
For your attitude, motivation, development, diet, exercise, actions, behaviours and performance. If someone else is responsible for these things on your behalf, do something about it or fire yourself.
If you have the word leader in your title then you are doubly responsible
Leadership is a behaviour not a title. You lead through your attitude, your choices, your responses and your body language. High performance leadership means your own feelings become secondary to those you lead. If that seems hard then see Rules 20 and 21.
If you’re going to have party food at your meetings, then invite Coco the clown
Chocolate biscuits, jelly babies, cake – why not give them a party bag too? Have you seen kids at a birthday party? Is that how you want to fuel something that’s costing your business a fortune? Really?
HR’s job is to lead on helping people perform better, not be happier
If you want to just make people happier and make sure they’re having fun then fill your boots and enjoy being overtaken by other organisations that are full of people who have a different sort of happiness – the happiness that comes from getting better, not from bringing your dog to work day or going to the company BBQ.
Being obsessed with measuring everything is totally bonkers
Obsessing on stuff is ok and not as bad as it’s cracked up to be, but obsessing on the wrong stuff is just stupid.
Teams in search of a purpose are strictly forbidden
If you’re on a team and you’re not sure why the team exists, then sort it out now or disband. Teams in search of a purpose are a waste of space, oxygen and shareholder funds.
Relentless positivity is silly and annoying
It may work for you and that’s fine. Negative thinking may work for others and that’s fine too. The only thing that matters is whether it helps performance. Do you really want the person who maintains the next aircraft you fly on to be a relentlessly positive thinker? “Yeah, sure it’ll be fine….”
Everyone has a Performance Improvement Plan
If you do a job then getting better at it is a non-negotiable part of your role. Performance improvement is not remedial, it’s a way of life. If you don’t have a performance improvement plan then see Rule 20. Oh and waiting for HR, L&D or anyone else to do it for you is ridiculous – you’re not a helpless puppy.
Sticks are for dogs to chase
Goals are only to be used to help motivation and performance. Not to hit people with.
Performance is performance. Results are not
Performance is about doing the things you need to do in order to get the things you want. If you want results, then you need to know how to perform. Wanting results by talking about results is like thinking that the best way to get hold of cake is to talk about cake. You’re probably better off going down the shops.
Indicators are not targets
The clue is in the name. Indicators indicate things – they point out where you are or where you’re heading. The fuel gauge in your car is an indicator (and clearly so are the indicators). The place you’re travelling to is the target. If you want key result targets then you are to call them KRTs. Otherwise KPIs are KPIs.
Be a boy scout
Be prepared. Great performance means you need to be constantly ready to perform in all conditions. Know what you need to be ready for, what you need to do to be ready and then practice it. Starting now.
Your job is to uphold the rules or fire yourself
If you can’t or won’t then see Rule 21.