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7 Practices of ANY Organization's Top Performer

Workplace
Authors
  • Name
    Brian Dodd

Every ministry or organization has a top performer. One who rises above all others. Other than production, what are the practices of those who consistently excel? Do they have traits we can learn from to improve our own performance? The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

In the June 21, 2010, edition of The Sporting News, Mike Decourcy wrote an interesting article discussing the leadership qualities of the Duke Blue Devils basketball team captain and Most Outstanding Player in that year’s Final Four, Kyle Singler.

With Duke once again involved in this year’s Final Four, I felt it was a good time to revisit what made Singler such an outstanding performer. Whether you are in a church, business, nonprofit or athletic organization, these practices will apply to any team member you may have.

An Organization’s Top Performer Is:

  1. Part of a Leadership Culture—Singler had studied under previous team captains DeMarcus Nelson, Greg Paulus, Jon Scheyer and Lance Thomas.
  2. In Authority and Under Authority—Because Singler has stayed all four years, he has specifically learned organization skills and preparation from Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski.
  3. A Continual Learner—The main reason he returned to Duke was “to become a better leader and a dominant player voice.”
  4. Making Sacrifices for the Good of Others—Because of Duke’s lack of size as a team, Singler played his first two seasons out of his natural small forward position. Great leaders put team success over their personal desires.
  5. Low-Maintenance—Assistant Coach Chris Collins noted Singler was constantly doing what was asked. Are you a self-starter? Are you insecure? Are you constantly rebellious? Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?
  6. Loyal—Being loyal does not make you a top performer. However, being disloyal disqualifies you as one.
  7. Never Satisfied—Great performers understand what made you successful today will not keep you successful tomorrow.

If you practice these seven things, you too may be your organization’s top performer.

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