Let's talk about goal setting today. When developing employees do you set goals that are very achievable, that employees are comfortable they can meet, and the organization can live with? This often yields performance that is at-standard, which is okay if that is what you want.

If on the other hand you are playing the business game to win- higher profits, greater market share, attract the best talent- then what you really want is to develop next level or exemplary performance. But what is exemplary performance anyways?

Exemplary performance happens when your employees perform “best in class” beating out everyone who performs the same job that they do across your industry. In short, exemplary performers are “the best”. The standard for exemplary performance often exceeds the standards set by your organization, many times you’ll have to seek performance standards outside of your company. That’s because of two things- first, you probably do not employ the best performing talent for your industry for every position at your company, and second most organizations usually define employee performance standards based on average outcomes they have witnessed in the past by employees who filled the roles.

What if you could develop all your employees to be exemplary performers in their roles? You would likely be more profitable than your competitors, capture market share, and have the competition trying to steal your talented employees! With the right tools, guidance, and plan- you can develop many quality employees into exemplary performers for your organization.

Do you remember what happened in 1992 at the Olympic Games when the US sent over its Men’s Basketball Dream Team to compete for basketball gold vs the rest of the world? How would you like for your organization and its employees to be nicknamed the “Dream Team” by everyone including your competition?

Understand something, exemplary level of performance is rare- like Michael Jordan or Lebron James rare, and you must put in the work to develop your employees to this level.