In many workplaces, success is assessed by how busy people are. A manager might praise a trainer for spending lots of time writing procedures or expect a salesperson to make a lot of calls. But what if the true value isn’t in how much time you spend doing these tasks, but in what those tasks actually produce? That’s where a shift to an accomplishment-based approach to performance improvement can make a big difference. This approach transforms how we think about everything we do, not just in business, but in our personal lives too.
From Activity to Accomplishment
Many managers make the mistake of focusing on how much time or effort someone spends on tasks, like sales calls or meetings. But with Performance Thinking®, the focus shifts to what actually gets produced. For example, a manager shouldn’t just care about the number of sales calls made—they should focus on what those calls produce, like signed contracts or a new business relationship.
By looking at the valuable outputs of work activity, managers can better evaluate performance, give clearer feedback, and provide the right support for their teams. Instead of rewarding effort alone, they focus on rewarding valuable performance.
Performance Is a System
Performance isn’t just about individual talent or motivation. It’s a system where both the person and their environment matter. Performance Thinking® recognizes that what people achieve depends on their skills, but also on things like the tools they have and the way their workplace is set up.
Instead of hiring only “talented” people or trying to boost motivation with things like bonuses or team events, leaders using Performance Thinking® focus on setting up systems that make it easier for everyone to succeed. This could mean better training, clearer goals, or removing obstacles in the workplace.
Clear Purpose Through Measurable Results
One of the big advantages of Performance Thinking® is that it helps people understand their purpose by focusing on clear, measurable results. In many jobs, people feel like they’re just another cog in a big machine. With Performance Thinking® their work becomes meaningful because they can see how their contributions make a difference.
This clear sense of purpose makes people feel more valuable, because they’re not just going through the motions—they know their work matters because they can see how their day-to-day activity produces accomplishments that contribute to organizational or business results.
Applying This Thinking to Life
The best part about focusing on accomplishments isn’t just that it works well in the office—it can also improve your personal life. Once you start thinking about results rather than activities at work, you might ask yourself, “What do I want to accomplish in my relationships? Or in my health?”
By applying the same approach, you can set clearer goals in your personal life, just like you would at work. For example, you might decide to focus on improving your health by setting measurable goals, like walking a certain number of miles per week or spending more time with friends and family.
A New Way of Thinking
Becoming accomplishment-based isn’t just a way to improve your performance—it’s a philosophical shift. It changes how we view success by focusing on valuable accomplishments instead of tasks. This new way of thinking makes both work and life clearer and more meaningful, allowing you to live a more purpose-driven life. By focusing on accomplishments, organizations can unlock their full potential, and individuals can lead more fulfilling lives with a clear understanding of their purpose.
- Ian Paterson
