According to a recent article in Psychology Today online, titled "Peak Performance in the NFL, Fortune 500, and Life", the author, Dr. Leslie Becker Phelps, states that besides the tried and true ways of improving performance, there is another factor not normally discussed by most of the so-called experts in the field that is the underpinning of most high perfromance individuals.

The tried and true ways of achieving peak performance that Dr. Phelps mentions are:

      ·         Developing a clear goal

·         Breaking your goal down into small steps

·         Focusing on the individual objectives

·         Rewarding yourself for completing an objective

 She points out that these are all necessary and important components in becoming a peak performer, but there is an additional element that is frequently left out. This element has to be considered if one expects to become a peak performer. That element has to do with the origin of one's motivation.

It is obvious to most people that motivation is a key element. But discovering the origin of your motivation is not so obvious. Dr. Phelps breaks motivation into two types: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic motivation originates from outside your self. Extrinsic motivation is more about materialism and acquisition than fulfillment. It is about working hard to acquire that big house, fancy car, lavish lifestyle...those sort of things. Extrinically motivated people do it for the acquisition of stuff.

Intrinsically oriented people seem more connected and passionate about achieving their career and life goals. The autonomy they feel and their capacity to meet the challenges they encounter drives them to succeed. According to Dr. Phelps, intrinsically motivated people are happier socially and seem to have a higher sense of well being. Compared to extrinsically motivated people who seek wealth and fame, intrinsically motivated folks suffer less depression and seem to stay healthier.

The better managers provide their subordinates with autonomy and positive reinforcement to encourage their employees to perform at their peak. These managers try to inspire their subordinates by making sure the employees see the value and importance of their role within the organization.

Positive reinforcement and other non-material rewards tend to help the employees stay engaged and motivated. When the employees understand the value and importance of their role in the company, they have a vested interest in the success of the organization and are more likely to perform at their best.

This management philosophy parallels intrinsic motivation. Part of the secret is ensuring that your colleagues and subordinates have autonomy in their approach to their jobs. In my management career, I always thought the best management technique was to provide my subordinates with goals and guidelines and then leave them to their own devices and methods to get the job done. Give them ownership of the process and they will feel compelled to achieve the goals and objectives you have set for them. They will also understand more clearly how their role fits into the successful completion of the their team's overall goal.

Peak performers are almost always intrinsically motivated. You have to love what you do to succeed at the highest level. It is critical to have a burning desire to succeed. Consequently, you will do whatever it takes to reach your goal. Peyton Manning said in an interview once that he loved playing football and would do it for free. He went on to say, "Obviously, I wouldn't tell my owner that, but I think I would (play for free)". Peyton is certainly is one of those peak performers who is internally motivated. 

Supporting a person's autonomy and inner motivation has been proven to help in addiction suppression such as weight loss and smoking cessation. In Fortune 500 companies, research studies revealed that workers that were given autonomy ranked higher in job satisfaction and showed increased job performance. It has also been used successfully in sports training at the highest levels. Athletes with a burning desire to win usually do.

Peak performers are very passionate about what they do. They understand that to achieve their goals they will have to be totally dedicated and make sacrifices. Persistence is another key ingredient of peak performers. Each small failure is just another step up the ladder to success. If the passion is there, the peak performer will find a way to succeed.

As Dr. Phelps reminds us, "If you want to achieve peak performance, it is essential that you begin by pursuing a goal that grabs your heart... and surround yourself with people who help breathe life into that dream".

What is your philosophy on motivating people to perform at their highest level? How do you motivate colleagues and subordinates? What is your dream? How have you motivated others to help you realize your dream? How have you helped others realize their dream?

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