How to Increase Performance by 40-60% Annually

In this article, we unpack exactly how we apply this principle practically, and consistently achieve an outlandish guarantee of 40-60% increases in impact, income, and influence both internally (associates) and externally (clients). If you are struggling with team performance lean into this article, the next 5 minutes could be life-changing.

Grow or Die: The Science of Becoming

One of the reasons we were able to pierce the market and grow so quickly was due to our ability to implement the principles of High-Performance Leadership. A principle we live by is the Law of Evolution, which insists that organisms most adapted to their environment stand the best chance of surviving and thriving. Spoken more eloquently, "grow or die" (haha).

If you take a close look at nature, it gives clear indications of where we should focus in different seasons of life. Whether business or personal, we can see that humans, and all organisms, are bound to the circumstances Mother Nature ensues upon it. It’s why we put on layers in the winter, whether we want to or not. We want to thrive in the current conditions of our environment.

Adaptability: the Only Prerequisite

The flying squirrel is a fine example of the law of evolution in effect. This animal evolved from what was once a squirrel, normal in stature and capability. However, it somehow found itself in an environment that required it to jump from limb to limb for survival over the course of centuries, and slowly developed the capabilities in mind and body to do this more easily. In its perfection of leaping, it developed a thin layer of skin membrane allowing it to soar.

The same trait of growth capability exhibited by the flying squirrel exists in the human mind. The power of adaptability is what allows us to do this. Adaptability is more of an attitude, or perspective, therefore it is a capability we all possess; but more times than not, the general population does not use it. However, if activated we form what is known as a growth mindset, which gives us the capabilities to learn and develop faculties in the brain.

So if everyone possesses this capability, why don’t we use it? Studies show that learning something new puts the brain under the same amount of stress, or more, as doing a strenuous workout. The reality is…change is hard, and its arch-enemies fear, procrastination, and lack of confidence, are never far behind.

The Triple Power Play

So how are we able to guarantee such high ROIs of 40-60%? How are we able to ensure so much growth when no one else in our industry dares to? The answer is simple, we understand success is a simple reality of cause and effect. The right input always leads to the right result. In business, these results are framed around impact (industrial, social, global, and/or individual service), income (revenue, acquisition, and/or sales), and influence (talent retention, leadership, marketing, and/or branding).

We apply two simple algorithms to achieve results. One focuses on people, their mindsets, and their performance; while the other focuses on vision and strategy. By applying these two algorithms you will be able to get the same results as us.

The High-Performance Leadership Algorithm
HP x L = HPL

• High-Performance (HP): The skills, habits, experience, and intellectual quotient required to accomplish any task. To be considered a High-Performer in our books, you must be performing within the top 5% of your industry.

• Leader (L): A person who has developed competencies and character that influences people to follow them. We consider an individual a Leader if they have at least 5 people in their downline.

• The "X": This represents the mindset. Notice this is not a division (÷), subtraction (-), or addition (+) symbol. We have no intention on doing business with people behind any of these symbols (which we associate with mindsets also). Instead, we deal with multiplication only, because the human mind is capable of compounds knowledge, just as interest compounds money.

The Zero to One Formula
1.01 ³⁶⁵ ≈ 38

This simple algorithm emphasizes the compounding power of small improvements. If you improve by just 1% every day for a year, you end up 38 times better than you started. This principle applies to every facet of your business: product development, customer service, marketing, and leadership. It's the relentless pursuit of incremental growth that leads to exponential results. Going from zero to one is a daily decision.

One easy way to apply this growth is to develop systems through innovation, and then implement them permanently through technology. In most cases, there is a technology that can do any repetitive task required, or you can create it. This gives you the ability to own your IP and save costs by limiting vendors.

The Results Formula
V x S x E = R

In tandem with the HPL algorithm, we utilize the Results Formula to ensure the plan itself aligns with a growth mindset:

• Vision (V): A clear, compelling picture of your desired future.

• Strategy (S): The actionable steps and tactics to realize that vision.

• Execution (E): The disciplined implementation of the strategy.

When these elements are combined effectively, the outcome is the Result (R).

Microsoft's Transformation Under Satya Nadella

Microsoft, once considered a tech dinosaur, experienced a remarkable resurgence under CEO Satya Nadella's leadership. Nadella, who took the helm in 2014, embodied the principles we've discussed, leading to substantial growth and innovation.

1. HP x L = HPL: Nadella focused on identifying and nurturing high-potential leaders within the company. He empowered executives like Phil Spencer (Head of Xbox) and Scott Guthrie (Cloud and Enterprise) to lead their divisions with autonomy and a growth mindset. This created a team of HPLs who were not only experts in their fields but also capable of inspiring their teams.
   

2. 1.01 ³⁶⁵ ≈ 38: Nadella instilled a culture of continuous learning and improvement. He encouraged employees to experiment, learn from failures, and embrace a "learn-it-all" mentality rather than a "know-it-all" one. This focus on incremental growth led to innovations like Microsoft Teams, the Surface line of products, and the exponential growth of Azure cloud services.

3. V x S x E = R: Nadella articulated a clear vision for Microsoft: to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. He shifted the company's strategy away from a focus on Windows and towards cloud computing, mobile experiences, and artificial intelligence. This strategic shift, coupled with disciplined execution, resulted in significant realization of the vision.

The Results:

• Impact: Microsoft's cloud business, Azure, became a major player in the market, competing head-to-head with Amazon Web Services.

• Income: The company's stock price more than tripled under Nadella's leadership, with market capitalization exceeding $2 trillion.

• Influence: Microsoft regained its position as a technology leader and innovator, attracting top talent and fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration.

Nadella's leadership style exemplifies the "Grow or Die" principle. He embraced change, fostered a growth mindset throughout the organization, and focused on empowering high-performing leaders. This transformation not only revitalized Microsoft but also solidified its position as a dominant force in the tech industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership Matters: A growth-oriented leader who empowers others can drive significant change.

• Culture of Learning: Encouraging continuous improvement and embracing failure as a learning opportunity is crucial.

• Strategic Alignment: A clear vision and a well-executed strategy are essential for achieving sustainable growth.

Power Thought

The Law of Evolution isn't just a biological principle; it's a blueprint for business success. Embrace growth, nurture leaders, and relentlessly pursue improvement. Remember, it's the 1% daily changes that compound into extraordinary results. Maximize your potential and master success, one day at a time.

If this added value to you, we encourage you to share this with a colleague. If you would like help implementing this model into your organization, click the link below and lets have a deeper conversation about what impacting your talent and performance looks like.