Research by Bell Labs identified nine straightforward yet powerful strategies used by star performers to drive exceptional productivity. When systematically integrated into work routines, these strategies can double productivity rates and lay the foundation for ongoing performance gains. The strategies center on qualities like taking initiative, networking effectively, managing time, leading teams, and continuously upgrading skills. Unlike notions of innate talent or ambition, the research shows star performance links directly to acquired work strategies that any professional can adopt. Companies that coach employees on these strategies create more star players, winning cultures and bottom line results. The strategies distinguish truly productive players from those just working longer hours.
Researchers have found that star performers in the workplace are not markedly different from their peers in terms of innate abilities like IQ or personality traits. What sets them apart is their use of key work strategies - essentially, how they apply what they have rather than what they inherently possess. This means that with the right strategies, ordinary people have the potential to become star performers in their own right. The key is ongoing refinement of one's approach to improve efficiency and output. Even top performers are often unaware of exactly why they are so successful. By taking time to consciously evaluate and optimize their methods, they can achieve even better results. It is also crucial to identify and eliminate unproductive habits that hold many average performers back from better performance. Becoming a star performer is about changing how you work, not fundamentally altering your personality to mimic other top achievers. It involves taking basic strategies for efficiency and fitting them to your own strengths, working style and environment. The incentives are clear: star performers have a competitive edge, more opportunities for advancement, and more control over their time. They provide immense value to their organizations as well - or they take those talents elsewhere. Fundamentally, star performance enables people to become the person they aspire to be and improve their quality of life. In an age of global competition and rapid technological change, star performers are at a premium. Most workers have an innate drive to maximize their productivity and control over their careers and personal time. They are unwilling to give up the belief that they have the potential for top-tier output. With the right strategies tailored to the individual, star performance is within reach.
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