Guaranteeing Performance Improvement: A Purely Practical Positive Approach

Models for Success 149

The performer’s state of readiness can be determined by

observing pre-performance rituals, ongoing behaviors, inter-

viewing the performer, testing the person’s knowledge relative

to the performance and expected outcomes, and reviewing

practice routines. Readiness is a critical factor in performance

improvement. Again, you can have all the tools and resources

available, but if the person does not want to or is not ready to

perform, either the performance will not occur or its results will

be less than desirable.

YES. After the first six factors are taken into account, and they

are all positive and aligned, then the performer decides to go

forward. This

YES decision only occurs after the performer

goes through the entire process described above. Now, this trip

through the mental processes of

MASTERY may not even be

done at the conscious level. Rest assured, though, that it will

be done. It is like a person who wants to buy something. The

seller has her agenda and wants to sell what she thinks the

buyer wants. But the buyer must go through a series of mental

processes related to motivation, decision making, and change

before he makes the purchase. Similarly, every performer goes

through a series of mental processes and decision-making

stages before he says, “Yes, I will perform this task to the best

of my ability.” And every time this decision is made and the task

is successfully completed, the reinforcement the performer

receives enables him to run through this mastery process even

faster next time.

One Last Thought

It really is not that difficult or frightening to be the person who

guarantees performance improvement. Since results matter,

and you are a seeker and an achiever of results, the desire and

ability to guarantee performance improvement should be a

challenge to you; one that you are willing to readily accept.

With the tools and techniques described in this book, you have

more than you require to achieve high levels of performance

and guarantee performance improvement when someone’s

performance is not up to acceptable levels. Start with your Ideal

150 Guaranteeing Performance Improvement

Vision—your Mega statement of how you will positively impact

society. Keep all your other visions and beliefs aligned with the

Mega or Ideal Vision. This will provide you with a tremendous

guide throughout your journey to perfect performance. Next,

know what is expected of you when you perform or what is

expected of people you are coaching. Clearly communicate

those expectations and identify the motivational factors that can

help or hinder performance. Create the conditions for a per-

former to optimize his or her talents and strengths. Use the

various job aids and tools in this last chapter to help you

become one of the few people in the world who is willing to

guarantee performance improvement. You will be more than

satisfied at how well you and everyone around you is now per-

forming.

I guarantee it.