Making the Most of A High-Performance Moment

The Olympics are in the rear-view mirror, and the Paralympics are about to get underway.? A perfect time to reflect on the idea of “high performance moments.”

?This idea is important to me right now, as I, somewhat impulsively, starting talking on social media about what I do with leaders and teams in that light. ? “I help them make the most of their high-performance moments.”? Sounds good, but what does it mean?

What is a high-performance moment?? ??It’s that critical instance or event in which an individual, team, or organization is expected to deliver their best possible performance.? These moments are often made more difficult occurring as they tend to do, under significant pressure, scrutiny, or in high-stakes circumstances. These moments can demand much from the individual: exceptional focus, skill, and execution, and are made all the more momentous depending on their consequences, impacting things like future success, reputation, or forward progress.

We saw that, over and over, at the Olympics.? Athletes who were able to capitalise when it counted…along with those who, heart-breakingly, did not.? This is what makes the Olympics, isn’t it?

As a sport psychologist, it was certainly my job to help athletes and coaches master theirs on the day, when it mattered.? Funnily enough, as I was called upon to be an Olympic psychology commentator for radio (and even a segment on national TV!) here in Australia, I had my own moments to deal with.

And found, to my relief, that the skills and strategies that I taught to others…worked for me, too.? I was nervous but managed to channel it mostly for the good.? What I did find is that performance anxiety messes with my short-term memory. ?

This played out hilariously during my TV interview, held in the TV station located, get this, in Australia’s Federal Parliament House.? [Who knew there’d be a TV station there?? Though it of course makes sense to have a TV station so close to the national government epicentre.? But I digress.]? Within what had to have been seconds after entering the public car parking lot, I’d managed to forget/lose my parking ticket.? The good performance news was that I was able to “park” the problem (get it?) until after the interview. ?

It turns out that it is way easier to enter the Parliament House parking lot than it is to leave it.? There was no forgiveness of my sins to come from the parking attendant despite the early hour (my interview was over by 7:45am), and it took me about 45 minutes of calling up the administrative food chain before someone with enough clout - maybe the Prime Minister? - ordered the parking folks to let me out.? So yeah, while I rocked my performance routine (admittedly the part that counted), my exit-the-building dismount left something to be desired.? Ba dum bum.

All this absolutely pales, however, in contrast to the high-performance moment fully realised by one Kamala Harris, now the officially nominated Democratic candidate for President of the United States.

Buckle in, sports fans.? This blog is getting political.?

Quick recap for you non-politicos out there.? As recently as six weeks ago, the race for US president was being waged by current president Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump. Disapproval ratings for both candidates was high, with Joe Biden copping the most flack for his age and growing infirmity.? The first televised debate between these two foes was a disaster for Biden, who was unable to rise to the occasion with focus or energy. ?

That was on 27 June.? Less than a month later on 21 July, Biden abruptly dropped out of the race, nominating vice president Kamala Harris as his heir apparent.? A mere month later, starting on 19 August, came the Democratic Party’s National Convention, where Harris accepted the nomination and then had to make a compelling, riveting case to the American people of her fitness for the role.?

Honestly, I can’t think of a higher stakes few months for any performer, amplified by all the high-performance moment criteria listed above.? She had to deliver a “best possible” performance.? Under?significant pressure, scrutiny, AND in high-stakes circumstances.

This is a case-study in how to meet a high-performance moment.? Let’s consider how she might have gone about it.

1.? To the extent they were able, she and the Democratic National Party set the tone and the stage well ahead of her performance.? What were the key ingredients needed to increase her performance’s chances of success?? Good introductory speakers and a consistent message around the idea of “freedom.”?

2.? Impeccable preparing and support of family and friends.? Every successful performer has a strong support team, and this was no exception.? What differentiates things here is that some of those support team members had to get up on stage and perform, too.? Harris’ partner had to give his own speech.? As did her vice president pick, Tim Walz.? But if you have not yet seen the?internet-breaking audience performance of Tim Walz’s son, Gus , who burst into tears of joy while yelling out, “that’s my dad!” you’re in for a treat.

3.? Begin with the end in mind.? Who did Harris need to win over?? Who did she need to keep onside?? What were the key messages that would resonate?? What kind of energy would be best?? Fiery?? Joyful?? Pensive?

4.? And then, I have to believe, train like you have never trained before.? What is amazing about this is that confluence of forces - time (the lack thereof), pressure, high-visibility, and really no room for a misstep.? So maybe in the end, the lack of time was a blessing.? No time to ruminate or wonder, what if?? I do hope she had a great performance psychologist working alongside her. ?

To her immense credit, and in defiance of many who doubted her, Kamala Harris did indeed make the most of this most important high-performance moment.

I’m curious about the high-performance moments that exist in your world.? What moments do you face?? What moments do you love, what moments do you fear?? And what helps you to make the most of yours?

If you or someone you know needs or would like support in making the most of their high-performance moments, click here to schedule a free, no-obligation chat.