Star Performance!

Great leaders have developed the habits of star performance.  These work habits support high productivity and quality of work.  High productivity is not a mystery; it simply requires a commitment and the tools, training and resources to make it happen, naturally.  Check out these habits that you may have already embraced.

Habit 1:  100% current, no “inventory” of unfinished tasks.  It’s a matter of taking on those tasks and projects that you know you can actually finish.  Realistically assess what is reasonable to accomplish.  When you take on too much, you’re perceived as not being productive, overwhelmed and out of control.  So many do this to themselves.  Completing tasks is what gets noticed, delivering what you commit to is star performance.

Habit 2:  Prioritize and delegate.  Take time each week and each day to prioritize what needs to get done.  Choose no more than three items per day (or less) to work on.  Delegate those tasks that you don’t need to continue to do – take the time to train someone else to do them.  Leaders concentrate on the big picture, holding onto old tasks can hold your career back.

Habit 3:  Wise use of systems.  Star performers master the use of systems.  Routine tasks are performed in the same manner each time – processing email, answering phone calls, attending exercise classes, running errands.  Simply using one method to capture and control your “to do” list and adhering to one calendar can increase efficiency.  Systematizing anything that is recurring gives you the freedom to see opportunities as they come along.

Habit 4:  Take pride.  Whether a task is small or big, one-time only or routine, prize winning or mundane, take pride in everything that you do.  Taking pride is a habit people often overlook.  Taking pride sets your standards very high.  It ensures that you perform accurate work.  Your work becomes error free.  Always ask yourself, “Is this the best that I can do?”  Setting your standards high inspires others to perform at their best.

Habit 5:  Add value.  With every interaction with your staff, co-workers, boss and customers, you’ve got an opportunity to add value to others.  It could be as simple as holding a door open for someone or as complicated as training someone for their next promotion.  Improve a product, service or process.  Look for ways to make things better than they were before you came along.  At the end of the day ask yourself how you made the world a little better place than it was.

Habit 6:  Master.  Take ownership in your job and become a master of performance.  Continue training and learning from others.  Research everything about your industry.  Leaders are curious and are constantly learning and growing.  Create a crisis free zone around you.  Don’t allow others who may be living on an emotional roller coaster to invade your space.  Master your own emotional well being.

What other habits create star performance?  What have you developed over the years?  Leave your comments below.

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