Great performances are achieved by asking great questions and ultimately finding great answers.

“The wise man doesn’t give the right answers, he poses the right questions.” — Claude levi-Strauss

Ask Great Questions

What defines a great question? Well, a great question must be big, challenging, stretch your imagination and belief, but, it must be specific, measurable and timely.

“What can I do to increase my B2B vertical sales by 150% within the next nine months?”—It’s certainly a lofty goal, and it’s timely. The challenge will require a clear, well-defined strategy to attain the 150% objective. The second problem resides on hitting your first goals within nine months.  You will have to stretch what you believe is possible within your industry to draft a big answer, a new way of thinking to achieve this hairy goal.

Big and specific questions require big thinking, in term of dissecting the issue and distilling what matters the most. Once you define what important the most is, focus on that question core.

” That’s the great thing about being a writer. you dream up amazing questions… and then you even more amazing answers.” — Richelle Mead

Find Great Answers

Well, you answers may be based on what you know, achievable answers (easy), stretched answers (hard), finally  leap answers, possible but untested  ( approach very carefully as it will require imagination and creativity to connect the dots to form a probable solution)

  • Achievable answers: First jolt down doable solutions based on your current knowledge, thought process, experience, and aptitude. These solutions yield to activity that can achieve results
  • Stretch answers: You are beyond your thinking comfort zone here. You may need to do some research, reach to peers, mentors and ask for help. The stretch zone meant to push you to your limits. The possibilities are there, you know it, your perseverance and commitment will get you the answer you are after, but you will need to utilize external resources for guidance and assistance.
  • Leap answers: this is where new answers, new ways, new trends, new solutions are created and formed. Your stretch answer may have been your maximum mental limitation, but here it’s simply your new minimum. Your potential is limitless, and here you can create new thoughts, ways and expand at will. Here you can dream big, but you must build your possible outcome on the lessons learned from great minds before you. Their experiences and past achievements become your guiding post to your new uncharted destination. Ideas created at this stage are original but often carry the mosaic of former great minds with it.

To achieve greatness one have to start with asking a great question, then work hard to find a great answer. Greatness starts with the quality and precision of the question. The bigger and more specific the question the more unusual and original the answer. The sooner you start asking yourself bigger and precise questions on paper, the sooner you will start enjoying the lion’s share in term of rewards and achievements.

“Working in network news is not a solitary pursuit; it is the ultimate ‘team sport.’ in which success is derived from the collective performances of remarkable people united in purpose and dedication.” — Steve Capus

Link Purpose to Performance

Great performances, must be built on a well-defined and particular purpose, as it serves as the foundation for all accomplishments long before they manifest. Individual above average contributions build on a solid understanding of the organization purpose, mission; priorities define the outcome in term of productivity and financial well-being of the business. In sales, we often look at specific KPIs that define revenue/profit and productivity as the firm diagnostic of financial health. The reality these KPIs are built on the output of one individual at a time, together they create the building block and health of the organization.