The Guiding Principles of Fulfilling Performance.

Wrapping up the introduction to Fulfilling Performance by sharing the final components.

Image Credit: Gerald Altmann

Hello fellow Enablers,

In last week’s post I introduced the Fulfilling Performance formula:

Fulfilling Performance is a function of the four fundamentals with effort applied.

As a reminder, the fundamentals are Clarity, Capability, Culture and Purpose.

Effort is recognised to have four qualities: Intensity, Duration, Efficacy and Alignment.

The interdependent relationship between the fundamentals and effort.

In my previous post I promised to say a little about the interaction between the fundamentals and the effort.

As you reflect on this you’ll notice that the relationship between the two is not a one way street.

The level and quality of effort we apply combined with the current state of the fundamentals determines the extent of Fulfilling Performance we experience. 

At the same time, the fundamentals affect the level and quality of the effort we apply.

For example, if we have high levels of the fundamental Capability, say we are very skilled at what we are doing, the Efficacy quality of our effort is likely to be high. Remember the analogy of a swimmer. A skilful swimmer will make more progress when applying the same effort as a beginner.

If we have high levels of the fundamental Clarity, there is a better chance that the Alignment of our effort will be high. We will be expending our effort doing the right things!

If we have high levels of the fundamental Purpose, where what we are doing really means a lot to us, we will find that we are better able to meet the Intensity and Duration requirements of our effort. We will be motivated to keep going through challenging times and to get back up when we get knocked down.

When we have high levels of the fundamental Culture, which in our definition means that the behaviour of those around us (at home as well as at work) supports us to perform at a high level, their encouragement and motivational behaviour will likely make us better able to meet the Intensity and Duration requirements. Our Efficacy (the level of skill with which we apply our effort) will improve under their guidance and our Alignment (the degree to which we expend our effort in the right areas) also stands to benefit from them keeping us on track. 

The Guiding Principles of Fulfilling Performance

Last week I positioned the framework as a lens to help us find a starting point.

The Fulfilling Performance Framework gives us a lens through which to view a situation and helps us to cut through all the complexity and find a starting point, a lever to pull, a handbrake to release to enable Fulfilling Performance.

It is intentionally designed to operate at the highest level so that nothing is left out. Applied as our starting point it seeks to simplify complexity and ensure that we are never stuck for a next step to take. 

The last components I want to share with you are the Guiding Principles.

The Guiding Principles represent the next step, providing a link between theory and practice. In the clearest terms they tell us what to do next or how to be to enhance each of the four fundamentals.

They are designed to be portable in the sense that they are easy to remember and yet still powerful enough to give you all you need to apply the Fulfilling Performance framework.

Each of the Guiding Principles addresses one of the four fundamental contributing factors (the fundamentals) of Clarity, Capability, Culture and Purpose. In earlier posts I explained what those labels mean in this context and provided Four Diagnostic Questions to help you identify handbrakes and enhance the state of each fundamental.

Applying each Guiding Principle will enhance the fundamental to which it relates. I’m going to repeat that because I think it’s important.

The more we apply each of the principles, the more we enhance the fundamental to which they relate. The strength of those fundamentals has a direct impact on enabling Fulfilling Performance.

The Guiding Principles are expressed as imperative statements. They exhort you to take action and to behave in a certain way:

We can apply the Guiding Principles at a macro level to give ourselves a broader perspective and at a micro level to address specific details as required. Or we can apply them at any point on a continuum from macro to micro. I’ll share some examples below.

Know why.

Applying this principle enhances the fundamental of Purpose.

The diagnostic question relating to Purpose is “How much does it mean to me what I am doing?”

Macro example: identify my own purpose, know why I may have been put on this earth.

Micro example: know why I am making this phone call or attending this meeting.

Be clear.

Applying this principle enhances the fundamental of Clarity.

The diagnostic question relating to Clarity is, “How clear are you about what you are supposed to be doing and how you are performing against those expectations?”

Macro example: create and communicate a compelling vision.

Micro example: be clear as I write an email or delegate a task.

Equip yourself.

Applying this principle enhances the fundamental Capability.

The diagnostic question relating to Capability is, “How well equipped are you in terms of knowledge, skills, experience, mindset and resources to perform at a high level?”

Macro example: secure required investment, recruit the executive team, build the factory.

Micro example: take some water into the meeting in case there's none provided.

Support others.

Applying this principle enhances the fundamental Culture.

The diagnostic question relating to Culture is, “How is the behaviour of the people around you (at home as well as at work) supporting you to perform at a high level?”

Macro example: embrace servant leadership across the organisation.

Micro example: invite a colleague who has not spoken in a meeting to share their views.

What’s next?

In these first eight posts since 1 March, 2024, I have shared the high level components of Fulfilling Performance.

I don’t want this to be a concept that you have read about but never used.

Over the coming weeks, through stories and examples, I’ll share more on how to apply the framework in everyday situations to enable Fulfilling Performance for yourself and those you lead and care about.

If you’ve followed the explanation so far, thank you for your engagement. I’d love to hear what resonates with you or any questions you may have.

Thank you,

Andy