How to Think and Grow Like the Top 1%

We have studied hundreds of thousands of High-Performance Leaders, innovative systems, and top tier organizations, and there is always a common science in why they all thrive. In this article, we peal the lid back on the reason some organizations never cease to thrive; no matter the industry, economy, or time in history. Enjoy!

In 2010, Dave Brailsford faced a formidable challenge. No British cyclist had ever won the prestigious Tour de France. However, as the new General Manager and Performance Director for Team Sky (Great Britain's professional cycling team), Brailsford was determined to change that narrative.

Brailsford's approach was simple yet revolutionary. He introduced the concept of the "Aggregation of Marginal Gains," emphasizing the potential for remarkable improvement by enhancing every aspect of cycling by just one percent. His philosophy was that these small, one percent improvements would accumulate to produce extraordinary results.

The journey began with optimizing the expected elements: nutrition, training programs, ergonomics, and equipment. However, Brailsford and his team didn't stop there. They scoured for one percent improvements in often-overlooked areas, such as discovering the most comfortable pillows for restful sleep, identifying the most effective massage gels, and teaching riders the best hand-washing techniques to prevent infection. They sought one percent improvements in every nook and cranny.

Brailsford's belief was that, if executed successfully, this strategy would position Team Sky to win the Tour de France within five years. To everyone's amazement, they achieved this milestone in just three years.

In 2012, Team Sky's Sir Bradley Wiggins became the first British cyclist to secure victory in the Tour de France. That same year, Brailsford coached the British cycling team at the 2012 Olympic Games, leading them to a remarkable 70 percent of the gold medals.

Team Sky's success continued in 2013, with Chris Froome securing another Tour de France victory. Many have hailed these British cycling achievements over the past decade as the most successful run in modern cycling history.

Now, the question arises: What can we learn from Brailsford's approach and how does it relate to High-Performance Leadership?

The Aggregation of Marginal Gains: A Bridge to High-Performance Leadership

The core of Brailsford's philosophy is the "Aggregation of Marginal Gains." This concept underscores that nearly every process and habit, whether good or bad, results from countless small decisions over time. While we often believe that change is meaningful only if it leads to significant and visible outcomes, the reality is quite different. Improving by just one percent might not seem notable or even noticeable at first, but it can be profoundly meaningful, especially in the long run.

The connection between the Aggregation of Marginal Gains and High-Performance Leadership lies in their shared emphasis on consistent, incremental improvement in business. This looks like breaking things that are not yet broken, and establishing a growth culture. Just as Team Sky achieved remarkable success by making countless small adjustments, business leaders can apply the same principle to their leadership strategies.

In this article we focus on three primary areas every business leader and executive are seeking growth and innovation; they are impact, income, and influence. These are the same areas Marq Neasman Consulting focuses a tremendous amount of effort and energy when it comes to adding value to our global client base.

1% Improvement in High-Performance Leadership: A Catalyst for Transformation

So now that we understand the concept of marginal gains in business. Let's explore the vital areas High-Performance Leaders are focused on applying 1% improvement.

Impact: Potency of Applied Effort
High-Performance Leadership is about making a profound and positive impact on organizations and teams. The practical means by which this is done has most to do with aligning the culture of an organization with practical metrics that accomplish goals and benchmarks to achieve the overarching vision, and mission; this includes the countless processes, systems and operations.

Without the proper infrastructure to generate and sustain IMPACT, both internally and externally, there will be no lasting effect. By striving for one percent improvements in systems, operations, and team dynamics, leaders can enhance their ability to inspire and drive their teams to achieve extraordinary results.

Income: Financial Acquisition based on Value Provided
The financial success of a business is closely tied to effective leadership. One percent improvements in decision-making, strategic planning, and resource allocation can result in enhanced profitability and revenue growth. Over time, these incremental financial gains translate into a substantial increase in income for the business, its associates, and leaders.

Income in most cases is the easiest of the three items listed in this section. Income is based on one’s ability to add value; it’s heavily reliant on performance. The most vital skillsets connected to income and revenue generation are sales and marketing. Having a firm understanding of your market, a great offer, and the ability to persuade customers to purchase your product versus someone else’s is simple, but not easy. With an evolving market, business leaders are forced to seek innovative ways about not just winning the business of customers and clients, but maintaining it.

Many of our clients leverage our Sales and Marketing Mastermind and our Sales Leadership service to bridge the gap between product development and market adoption.

Influence: Capacity to Provoke Action from Others
High-Performance Leadership is also about expanding influence and replicating our vision and systems in the minds of those around us. Influence is the ultimate key to growth, which is why we are so passionate about Leadership Development. Small improvements in leadership skills, communication, and employee engagement, can significantly enhance a leader's sphere of influence. These cumulative changes ultimately lead to a substantial increase in a leader's ability to drive change, inspire others, and shape the future. Those that embrace a transformational self-growth journey are on the path of creating a legacy of excellence.

If you are seeking ways to start your personal leadership journey, we want to introduce the High-Performance Leadership Executive Cohort. It’s our 6 week leadership development program for executives seeking personal growth, a power network, and proven strategies to lead people and manage performance. An all-inclusive 3 day retreat at the Gaylord Resort in Kissimmee, FL is included.

It is through the lens of these three pillars (impact, income, and influence) that Marq Neasman Consulting gauges many metrics of improvement in an organization. It is also why we boast a guarantee of 40-60% cumulative increases on the delivery of every service we provide. Our value hinges on the fact that we are meticulous about finding the 1% gains in all components of our clients business to put them in the best positions possible to thrive.

Consistency and Patience: Keys to Success

The key to realizing the 40-60% increases in impact, income, and influence lies in consistency and patience. Just as Brailsford's approach relied on the consistent application of one percent improvements over time, business leaders must commit to making incremental changes in their leadership approach.

Strategies for Leveraging the Aggregation of Marginal Gains in High-Performance Leadership

To harness the power of aggregating marginal gains in High-Performance Leadership, consider implementing the following strategies:

Set Small, Achievable Leadership Goals: Identify areas in your leadership approach where you can make small improvements. Set achievable goals for these areas, focusing on one percent enhancements in leadership skills, decision-making, and communication.

Track Your Leadership Progress: Keep a record of your progress to monitor the impact of your one percent improvements in leadership. This can be especially motivating as you witness the cumulative effect of your leadership enhancements.

Embrace Consistency in Leadership: Understand that transformational leadership takes time. Be consistent in your efforts, and trust in the process of aggregating marginal gains in your leadership approach.

Celebrate Leadership Achievements: Recognize and celebrate your leadership successes, no matter how small they may seem. Acknowledging your progress reinforces your commitment to continued improvement in High-Performance Leadership.

Power Thought

By applying the Aggregation of Marginal Gains to High-Performance Leadership, business leaders can achieve substantial increases in impact, income, and influence. As you pursue your leadership goals and aspirations, remember that you don't need to make monumental leaps. Instead, focus on making small, sustainable improvements in your day-to-day operations. The outcomes over time are phenomenal!