‘First Standardise, Then Customise’

A Guide to Leveraging Your Strengths for High Performance;

I am truly blest to work with dynamic leaders all over the world and I love opening up space for these great leaders to share the insights that generate next level value for themselves, their teams and organisations.

One of the leaders that I just love working with is the mighty Sachin Kerur, Regional Managing Partner at Reed Smith LLP in the Middle East - His insight this week around 'First Standardise, Then Customise!'

'Be regular and orderly in the way you live (Standardise) so you can fierce and creative in the way you work (Customise)!' - Gustav Flaubert

This opened up my thoughts around how you create value on another level and formed the thoughts that energise and engage.

The insight that has evolved is all around the importance of 'setting standards around rituals' that create a genuine foundation in order to open up the opportunity for the 'fierce and creative' nature of your rituals to be unleashed.

The 'quest' for high performance in both personal and professional life is focused on understanding and leveraging your strengths. Through Gallup CliftonStrengths at 2b Limitless is focused on 'unleashing your strengths' a process built on the rituals that create real 'rhythm and tempo'.

However, before diving into the depths of customisation and personal innovation, it is essential to first establish a foundation of standardised rituals. These rituals, or strengths-based behaviours practiced on purpose, positioned to enhance engagement, performance, and enjoyment.

This article explores the concept of "First Standardise, then Customise" illustrating how setting high standards around your rituals opens the door to high-level customisation, thereby creating unparalleled value through dynamically leveraging your strengths - Opening up what we at 2b Limitless call BVOS - 'Best Version of Self'.

"Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do." - Aristotle

The Power of Standardisation (Setting High Standards): Standardisation, in the context of personal development and performance enhancement, involves identifying and consistently applying a set of rituals that resonate with your core strengths. These are not just any habits or routines but are carefully crafted behaviors that are strengths-based. They are performed on purpose, with a clear intention behind each action and they are positioned to catalyze engagement, performance, and enjoyment in your daily life. The process of standardisation (setting high standards) serves several key purposes:

1. Clarity: It clarifies what your core strengths and values are and how they can be effectively used (Excitement = Clarity x Power).

2. Consistency: It ensures that these strengths are consistently engaged through daily practices that create real 'rhythm and tempo'.

3. Measurement: It allows for the measurement of the impact these strengths-based behaviors have on your performance and well-being (metrics that matter).

When helping people develop their strengths we are focused on;

• Uniqueness - The rituals that are focused on your strengths and the activities and environments that open up the very best version of you.
• Mind - What are the rituals that open up the headspace to succeed exposing you to new information and experiences.
• Body - What are the physical, well-being and resilience rituals that provide that platform for people to thrive and grow.
• Social - '95% of the viscosity of your success is down to your sense of belonging and the community with which you interact with and generate value.' - What are the rituals that create real value through connection?

'The people making the biggest difference in the world, prioritise connection over everything else.' - Dave Asprey

• Adaptive - What are the different and better that evolves out of a greater understanding of your strengths?

By standardising your approach through to leveraging strengths, you create a solid foundation upon which high performance can be built. This foundation is essential for ensuring that any further customization is effective and meaningful.

'The standards you walk past are the standards you accept.' - General David J. Hurley

Transitioning to Customisation: Once a solid foundation of standardized rituals is in place, the opportunity for customization becomes not only possible but incredibly potent.

Customisation refers to the tailored adjustment and innovation of your practices to better suit your evolving goals, contexts, and insights into your strengths. This phase is characterized by experimentation and personalization, driven by questions like: How can I tweak my existing rituals to better align with my current objectives? Are there new strengths I have discovered that I can incorporate into my daily practices? How can my rituals be adjusted to reflect the changing dynamics of my personal and professional life? The beauty of customization lies in its flexibility and responsiveness to your unique journey towards high performance. It opens up space for creativity, innovation, and deeper engagement with your work and life.

'You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.' - Zig Ziglar

Customisation allows you to:

1. Adapt and Evolve: As you grow and your circumstances change, your approach to leveraging your strengths can adapt accordingly.

2. Deepen Engagement: Tailoring your practices to better fit your strengths and goals can increase your engagement and enjoyment in your activities.

3. Enhance Performance: By fine-tuning your approach, you can unlock new levels of performance and achievement.

'To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.' - Steve Prefontaine

Leveraging Your Strengths to the Fullest: The journey from standardisation to customisation is a dynamic process of personal evolution. It begins with setting the stage through standardised rituals that engage your strengths in a consistent and purposeful manner. This foundation then serves as a launchpad for customisation, where you can creatively tailor and innovate your approach to suit your unique path to high performance.

'Performance is the best measure of commitment.' - Lou Holtz

By embracing this philosophy of "First Standardise, then Customise" you unlock the potential to create value at the next level, leveraging your strengths in ways that are deeply aligned with your goals, values, and the essence of who you are. This approach not only enhances performance and enjoyment but also fosters a sense of personal mastery and fulfillment.

The key to unlocking your full potential lies in first establishing a strong foundation of standardized rituals that harness your strengths. From there, the sky is the limit as you customise your path, creating a unique and powerful approach to high performance that is truly your own.

What are some of the key rituals that I have found through my thousands of hours of executive coaching with elite performers all over the world?

? 1. Early Morning Routine - 'Lead the day!' utilizing the morning hours for personal development, exercise or strategic thinking before the demands of the day take over. This uninterrupted time can be crucial for setting intentions and priorities for the day ahead.

2. Strategic Time Blocking - Elite performers often segment their day into blocks dedicated to specific tasks or types of work. This might include deep work periods for strategic thinking and planning, as well as designated times for meetings, email correspondence, and team interactions.

'Either through capacity or conditioning the week is the number one time frame in high performance and our ability to "HAPPEN TO THE WEEK" is a key differentiator when it comes to 'high-performance'. - Dr. Dave Allen - Author of 'Getting Things Done'.

3. Continuous Learning - A commitment to lifelong learning is a common trait among high performance people. This can involve reading industry-related materials, podcasts, attending workshops and conferences, or even engaging in formal educational opportunities to stay ahead of the curve. Personal and professional coaching is a dynamic way to take your life to a whole new level.

4. Mindfulness and Meditation - Mindfulness practices and meditation are increasingly recognized for their benefits in improving focus, reducing stress and enhancing decision-making. When you incorporate these practices into your daily routines to maintain clarity and balance.

'It is the space between the notes that makes the music!' - Wayne Dyer

5. Regular Exercise - Physical activity is a key cornerstone ritual for many high-performing peopl. Regular exercise not only promotes physical health but also improves mental sharpness and stress resilience.

Victoria Tipper and David Labouchere OBE regularly remind me that; 'Exercise is the number one way to process and manage stress.'

6. Strategic Delegation Top performers understand the value of their time and focus on high-leverage activities. They practice strategic delegation, entrusting tasks to team members to ensure they are focusing on the most critical and impactful areas of their work.

'Delegate to elevate not to alleviate.' - Mick Todd

7. Community Creation and Relationship Building - Maintaining a robust professional community is a ritual that pays dividends in the form of opportunities, partnerships and support. High performers make time to 'push the circle wider', mentorship, and relationship-building activities.

'Connection creates commitment!' - Valentina Vescovi

8. Goal Setting and Review - The 2b Limitless Accountability Process is dynamic and it enables individuals, teams and organisations to build a genuine spine in life. Built around 'vision, mission, purpose, paradigm, guidelines, rituals strengths and short, medium and long term goals.' Setting clear and ambitious goals and regularly reviewing progress towards these objectives is a practice that keeps high performers focused and aligned with their strategic vision.

'It's not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters.' - Paul "Bear" Bryant

9. Health and Wellness - Beyond exercise, attention to nutrition, sleep, and overall wellness are critical for sustaining the high energy levels and resilience required for high performance life.

'What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.' - Ralph Marston

10. Reflective Practice - High-performing people often engage in regular reflective practices, such as journaling and coaching sessions. These practices allow them to process experiences, learn from challenges and continually adapt and grow BVOS - The Best Version of Self.

These rituals when practiced consistently, create a genuine framework that supports sustained high performance, strategic decision-making, and effective leadership. While the specific practices of each person may vary according to their strengths, the underlying principles of discipline, self-improvement and strategic focus are universally recognised as hallmarks of success in the high performance world.

'First Standardise, Then Customise' - Sachin Kerur

‘Because… Your world needs you at your best!’ - 2b Limitless

?2bLimitless is a multi- award winning, (we are the Professional Services Awards 2024 Coaching and Training Organization of the Year), Global High Performance Coaching, Coach Certification and Training Business founded in Dubai by Mick Todd (Professional Services Awards 2024 Executive Coach of the Year) and led by Mick and Peter Charles Turner surrounded by a world-class support team and Executive Coaches in the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and Africa whom are all 2b Limitless Accredited Performance Coaches (2bAPC), 2b Limitless is dedicated to bringing the very best version of individuals, teams and organisations to life. We have delivered in over 40 countries around the world.

We have a world class, team of highly experienced, trained and certified coaches.

David Labouchere OBE, Victoria Tipper , Guido de Wilde , Olga Cassidy , Ciarán McBreen (Middle East), Tony Martin (Australia and New Zealand), Melda Yasar Cebe and Jack Wolstencroft (Asia), Garreth Ewing (South Africa) and Ian Ward (UK and Europe).

#strengths #engagement #performance #transformation #coaching #training #2byb #2bapc #2bLEAP #2bLC #2bUYS #2blimitless #connection #experience -?https://www.2blimitless.com

‘Because… Your world, needs you at your best!’ - 2b Limitless .

To learn more about how 2b Limitless can help you ‘First Standardise, Then Customise’ contact Olivia Marshall -?[email protected]