I like coffee!

Recently I met with a drummer friend for a coffee and catchup. When we get together we chat about many things which is always fun and often attempt to ‘put the world right’! One subject that popped up was performance and performing. What is performance actually? We had a good laugh, because we challenged each other with our interpretations.

The highly successful businessman Harold S Geneen said “Performance is everything. Forget everything else.”

Generally, when ‘performance’ is mentioned, this can be broken down into two basic definitions.

The first is:
“an act of presenting a play, concert, or other form of entertainment”

So when someone thinks about a performance this would generally be referred to as a concert or show, with performers on a stage communicating some form of entertainment or spectacle. Right?

The next definition of performance is defined as:
“the action or process of performing a task or function”

Looks totally different doesn‘t it? Think of it this way… when you action something it means you get something going. And to get from A to B whether this be some form of task or taking a journey, there must be some kind of process involved. Well, that process is based on performance. In other words, how you perform that task or function will determine the outcome, whether successful or not.

So, going on a road trip from A to B – what would the successful outcome here? In my mind it’s arriving at your destination safe and sound. And if you had no idea where point B was you would probably use Sat Nav to guide you.  So how successfully you performed the tasks of inputting your destination, when you set off and how you drove would determine the outcome.

Something different. Your manager storms in and says “I need this done first thing tomorrow morning!” What do you do? Well, aside from avoiding a panic attack, hopefully you’ll take action as soon as possible. You begin with planning and then working on the necessary components required to complete the job. Common sense? Of course, and it’s all dependent on how effectively you perform all the necessary processes needed to successfully complete this task.

Is brushing your teeth a task? For sure. It might not be as complex as that urgent job, but brushing your teeth is still dependent on how well you perform this task to ensure that you maintain good dental health and a dazzling smile.

So there you have it!

Harold Geneen was spot on. Performance is everything! And you’ve just ‘performed’ the task of reading this, whether you were aware of this or not!

Adapted from the book ‘Rock Your Performance’ (formerly Creating Performance Excellence) by Georg Voros.

Photo: Chevanon Photography – Pexels

Georg Voros is a Performance Consultant with 45+ years of top-level experience and author of two books on performance. He delivers high-impact workshops on productivity and flow, and offers tailored mentoring packages to support personal growth and achievement. Learn more at www.vorosperformance.co.uk