Stagnant high achievers are those exceptional professionals that avoid challenging situations.  This is the latest analysis from the Harvard Business Review.  In their June issue article, “Managing Yourself: The Paradox of Excellence, “  Thomas and Sara DeLong state that high achievers focus more on protecting their image and performing routine activities than on taking risk to experience personal growth.  I want to take some time to explain why these results aren’t universal, as my clients don’t exhibit these characteristics.  This is a look at what we have instead of what we need.

What is a high achiever?  I assume by the term high achiever, the DeLong’s are referring to someone in upper management or the executive ranks of an organization.    I think it is important to recognize that a high achiever, by this definition, may be someone who managed to be promoted up the ranks of an organization but may not be necessarily gifted.  There is a big difference.  We all know that many people are promoted to their level of incompetence, and then some (refer to Dr. Lawrence J. Peter’s principle published back in 1969).  If you look at some of the descriptions of behaviors from the individuals outlined in the article, you realize that these types have to be included in their pool of data.  For example, they tend to shy away from a challenge.  Really?  I’m glad professional athletes don’t follow this model.  Other characteristics include a refusal to ask for help, obsession with self, willingly does the wrong thing, struggle with insecurities, confide in those who tell them what they want to hear, and stay in their comfort zone, to name a few. 

This really sounds more like a politician than a corporate warrior.  It makes you wonder why they were promoted to such a high level position, doesn’t it?

In my experience with high achievers, personalities are much bolder.  High achievers know what they want and they take the time to define it.  This provides their vision.  They align themselves with their passion, which typically promotes lifelong learning (not an avoidance of it).  This is the fuel that drives their efforts to achieve.  Influence is also very important for achieving goals so they are good at attracting and motivating others towards a common goal. This puts them in the right environment to be successful.  Finally, they are brilliant at the basics.  You can’t make it in the pros if you don’t have game.  This ensures they have the skills to perform, no matter where you put them.

Let’s look at some of the points the article makes.

Living in the past.  Too often we are held back by misinterpreted failures from our past.  Maybe the risk we took some time ago was a failure but not for the reason we attached to it or maybe it wasn’t as bad as we thought it was.  Looking at it from multiple perspectives helps us understand it better so that we don’t allow these memories from holding back our risk-taking.  I agree with this but feel that it most likely impacts everyone, not just high achievers.  However, I feel that high achievers are driven to succeed so they will find a path to the right solution.  After all, how many times can you fail in companies today and still keep your job?  I think you know that answer.

Support networks.  The DeLong’s note that high achievers are individuals and avoid other people’s opinions.  Hmmmm....I wonder how they got to the top?  Networking is the quickest way to the top.  I know we are supposed to say that you must get a great education, work real hard and do great things to get ahead.  That’s all you need to do.  People will recognize you and push you to the top.  Unfortunately, we work with people and they all have their own objectives and I won’t give you a position that I want.  Nothing personal.... just business, right?

Some of my clients have branched out to start their own companies around the globe before completing their graduate degrees.  That’s not an easy task for an individual.  In my book, Blitz The Ladder, I show you how to create your own network that will help you build your success.  I even show you how to draw a map to your goals.  We can’t give ourselves the rewards we seek.  They must come from someone else.  When we get a reward, we’ve successfully networked.  My clients, as mentioned above, plan their path so their rewards are too (and even the people who will give it to them).  Networking is critical, not an option.

Vulnerability.  It’s okay to communicate small failures that you’ve made.  It will make you seem human and people will respond to that.  Yeah, I know what you’re thinking.  It’s a shame it’s come to this.  High achievers don’t really admit failure.  It’s a learning experience which makes us more prepared for the future.  DeLong mentions a story about leaders being embarrassed that they didn’t understand the financial products they sold.  Wow!  That’s a high achiever?  I can see why they wouldn’t tell anyone about that.

Now a certain amount of humility is important.  Admitting failure isn’t a flaw.  However, real leaders teach people how to drive through failure to find success.  If the leader doesn’t understand what they are doing, everyone below them will know it but those above them probably won’t because they won’t let them know about that.  This dives right into a lack of integrity and an obvious focus on self and not the company.  This is not a characteristic of a high achiever.  It’s part of someone who’s in a position they shouldn’t be in.  I consider this an exception, not the rule.

Long term vision.  High achievers avoid short term risk for fear of failure, or so they say.  I agree with Delong’s that long term success can require short term risk.  I also think that highly educated professionals suffer from a tendency to avoid risk, mostly because they analyze it too much.  My experience has shown that high achievers are fairly savvy at handling risk.  They don’t assume it all.  They attract top performers who will share it, giving up a little reward to ensure a big success.

The DeLong’s article does a good job of defining the characteristics of those struggling in upper management and executive positions.  However, my definition of the high achiever is a little more complicated than this.  High achievers are focused leaders who set the example and drive to their goals until success is achieved.  Sure failure occurs but it is a learning activity that points us in the right direction.  Real high achievers are gifted and understand what they are doing.  I sure hope my definition of high achievers is correct; otherwise, I think I know why the economy collapsed.  Of course, fixing that problem would be a much bigger issue.