“They are a class act,” is a phrase used to describe somebody who consistently performs brilliantly and also adds that touch of class.
The footballer scores with a breathtaking volley; the singer produces a memorable encore; the ‘victor’ behaves generously; the ‘loser’ makes a gracious speech; the soldier behaves courageously in the heat of battle. Such people demonstrate grace under pressure.
Nelson Mandela turned away from violence and personally thanked his warders when leaving Robbins Island. Lady Marie Stubbs set the tone when taking over the school where Philip Lawrence was murdered. On her first day at St George’s, Westminster, she shook hands with every pupil. Tackling the challenge head-on, she worked with the staff and students to turn around the school.
Start by choosing an activity in
which you can become a Class Act
How can you become a class act? One approach is to start by choosing an activity in which you stand a chance of achieving 10/10. You can focus on one where you experience the 3 Es.
Energy. You get energy doing the activity.
Ease. You feel at ease and things comes relatively easily.
Excel. You get independent feedback that you excel.
One football coach, for example, chose to become the outstanding head of a youth academy, rather than a highly paid club manager.
“My skills are in helping talented young players to develop,” he said. “I am not suited to the roller-coaster pressures of getting weekly results and talking with the press. I prefer to produce a succession of young players who go on to become internationals.”
You will, of course, choose you own specific activity. Try completing the following exercise.
Let’s imagine that you have chosen an activity in which you have the ability to do great work. Here are three steps you can consider on the road to doing your best.
1) You can focus on character and competence.
Character is the foundation of success. Looking at the activity in which aim to excel, do you have the right character to deliver the goods?
Do you have the right drive, discipline and determination? A sales person must have the drive to hit financial targets. An actor must have the resilience to overcome rejection. An athlete must have the discipline to train every day.
Try tackling the exercise on this theme. Looking at your chosen activity, do two things. First, describe the characteristics that you believe somebody in this field must demonstrate in order to excel. Second, on a scale 0 – 10, rate the extent to which you believe you have these characteristics. Try completing the following exercise.
Character is a good starting point, but a person must also have the required competence. Peak performers have the right combination of strengths, strategic thinking and skills.
Chefs must have a natural feeling for food and a good palate. Trouble-shooters must be able to quickly get to the heart of the matter and make good strategic decisions. Carpenters must have the right skills to produce works of craftsmanship.
Try tackling the exercise on this theme. Looking at your chosen activity, do two things. First, describe the competence that you believe somebody in this field must demonstrate in order to excel. Second, on a scale 0 – 10, rate the extent to which you believe you have these abilities. Try completing the following exercise.
2) You can focus on consistency and creativity.
Great workers are positive, professional and peak performers. Overcoming setbacks and crises, they consistently deliver at least 8/10. How do they maintain such high standards?
Positive by nature, they focus on ‘controlling the controllables’. Professional to their finger tips, they practice good habits. They do the right things in the right way every day. Proactivity is crucial. They continually look ahead and address issues that are in the Green, Amber and Red Zones.
Try tackling the exercise on this theme. Looking at your chosen activity, do two things. First, describe the consistency that you believe somebody in this field must demonstrate in order to excel. Second, on a scale 0 – 10, rate the extent to which you believe you have these habits. Try completing the following exercise.
Success calls for employing the right creativity at the right time to get the right results. Creativity comes in many different forms. But three themes underlie most approaches. Class acts have the radar and repertoire to deliver results. What does this means?
They have great ‘personal radar’ in their potential field. They quickly see patterns and the potential picture of success. Such people also seem to know ‘what will happen before it happens’.
They have the professional repertoire – the strengths, strategies and skills – to capitalise on what they see.
They use their radar and repertoire to employ the right approach that delivers positive results.
Try tackling the exercise on this theme. Looking at your chosen activity, do two things. First, describe the creativity that you believe somebody in this field must demonstrate in order to excel. Second, on a scale 0 – 10, rate the extent to which you believe you have this ability. Try completing the following exercise.
3) You can add that touch of class.
Peak performers often produce something special at key moments. Doing whatever is required to reach the goal, they sometimes achieve it by adding that touch of class.
Superb sprinters employ their talent and technique to get in sight of the tape. They then flow, focus and finish. Outstanding negotiators stay calm under pressure. They then produce a breakthrough solution that ensures all parties get a ‘win-win’. Great performers always do the basics and then add that touch of brilliance.
Showing class under pressure
Some people show class as human beings. Let’s consider one example.
Imagine you are a Polish Catholic mother in 1942. Suddenly a 12-year-old Jewish boy knocks on the door. His parents have been killed by the Nazis and he is looking for sanctuary. Hungry and frightened, he has nowhere to hide. He asks for your help. What would you do? Would you close the door, tell the authorities or take him into your home?
Samuel Oliner, co-author of The Altruistic Personality, describes how he, the 12 year-old-boy, was saved by Bulwina, the Polish mother. She took him in, protected him from the Nazis and changed his name to Jusek. She taught him to go to church on Sunday, learn the Catholic Catechism and blend into the scenery. Bulwina then helped him to make his escape when the situation became too dangerous.
Try tackling the exercise on this theme. Looking at your chosen activity, do two things. First, describe the touches of class that you believe somebody in this field must demonstrate in order to excel. Second, on a scale 0 – 10, rate the extent to which you believe you have this ability. Try completing the following exercise.
There are many models for doing great work. You can, for example, study the path taken by peak performers. Such people often follow their passion and translate this into a clear purpose. They then do professional work, find solutions to problems and deliver peak performance. Whichever model you use, however, it often involves showing a touch of class.
How can you do this in your own way? Try completing the final exercise. First, describe again the specific activity in which you want to excel. Second, describe the specific things you can do to become a class act in this activity. You can then do your best to achieve this aim and make magic when it matters.
Posted on Saturday, March 2nd, 2013 at 4:47 am in Companion, The Strengths Blog | RSS feed
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