Fire In The Belly: Productivity Habits of Top Performers

Last year the Harvard Business Review published a survey to help professionals assess their own personal productivity – defined as the habits closely associated with accomplishing more each day. Nearly 20,000 people from six continents completed it, and the results provide some useful insights into important productivity habits and challenges facing professionals.

Three general patterns stood out:

1. Working longer hours does not necessarily mean higher personal productivity. Working smarter is the key to accomplishing more of your top priorities each day.
2. Age and seniority were highly correlated with personal productivity — older and more senior professionals recorded higher scores than younger and more junior colleagues.
3. Overall productivity scores of male and female professionals were almost the same, but there were gender differences on particular habits that promote personal productivity.

To get more information on this I encourage you to read the research report which can be found in the article, "What Makes People More Productive Than Others."

I often here the term "Fire In The Belly" to describe one trait that separates top performers from average performers. But let's take a look at what that might look like as you look to build a sustainable talent pipeline in your organization.

Is "Fire In the Belly" a Stand Alone Differentiator?

"Fire in the belly" is often considered a metaphor for a strong inner drive, passion, and determination to achieve goals. It represents a deep motivation that propels individuals to push through challenges, take initiative, and maintain a relentless pursuit of success. In the context of high performers, this trait is commonly associated with those who go above and beyond, demonstrating a strong commitment to their work and an eagerness to excel.

High performers often have this "fire in the belly," as it fuels their ambition and helps them overcome obstacles. However, while this trait can be a significant contributor to high performance, it's not the only factor. High performers also typically possess other qualities, such as discipline, resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work well with others. Additionally, the presence of a "fire in the belly" can vary depending on individual personality, the specific job or industry, and the work environment.

So, while "fire in the belly" can be a trait of high performers, it's most effective when combined with other skills and attributes that support sustained performance and success.

Traits of Highly Productive People

Highly productive people often exhibit a combination of specific traits and behaviors that enable them to maximize efficiency, output and effectiveness. Here are a few traits commonly demonstrated by highly productive individuals.

Ability to Prioritize: These individual know how to distinguish between urgent and important tasks and prioritize accordingly. They are planful and have an ability to set clear goals and timelines. These individuals understand the value and demonstrate and ability to effectively delegate tasks so they are able to focus on what matters most.

Action Orientation: Traits and behaviors include consistently following through on commitments. These individuals are able to minimize distractions and stay focused on tasks, often using techniques similar to the Pomodoro Technique or time blocking. They are driven by internal goals and values, which drives action and motivation, even in the face of obstacles, conflict and other challenges.

Agile Learners: They demonstrate a growth mindset and believe in their ability to improve and are open to learning from both successes and failures. They continually seek to develop new skills and knowledge and apply what they learn to day-to-day activity and actions. These "agile leaders" regularly reflect on their performance, seeking ways to improve their processes, actions and overall habits.

Transparent Communicators: Highly productive people communicate clearly and effectively. They to to make certain everyone involved understands the objectives and expectations. They have the courage to speak honestly and create a safe environment for feedback and disagreement. They leverage whole-body listening, which helps in understanding tasks, managing teams, and collaborating effectively.

Demonstrate Resilience: These individuals develop ways to manage stress while maintaining a positive outlook even when faced with challenges. They set clear boundaries between work and personal life, which helps them maintain focus and avoid burnout. They understand the importance of rest and make time for activities that recharge them. Finally, they tend to maintain healthy habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep, which support sustained productivity.

Anticipate and Act: They don’t wait for tasks to be assigned; they take initiative and act on opportunities before they become problems. These individuals anticipate challenges and prepare solutions in advance, reducing the need for reactive problem-solving. They pay close attention to the details, which helps prevent mistakes and ensures high-quality work.

These traits combine to create a powerful foundation for sustained productivity and success. Highly productive people are not just busy; they are effective in their actions, ensuring that their efforts lead to meaningful results.

What Can I Do To Bring More of This Into the Workplace?

There are a number of assessments that can help identify traits and behaviors in current employees and potential candidates. Organizations first need to define an assessment strategy, including what they are going to measure and how assessment will be integrated into the human capital strategy.

Once this is defined, using a balance of assessment data, observable behaviors and performance over time, you can assessment the capability and productivity of an individual.

LAK Group can help you define your assessment strategy and develop the right tools to help identify, develop and retain top talent. Contact us at 262.219.2480 for mor information or visit our LAK Group website.