8 Steps to High Performance - by Marc Effron (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Do not try to change yourself," argues Peter Drucker in Managing Oneself. "You are unlikely to succeed. But work hard to improve the way you perform." This book takes that advice to heart and uses evidence-based methods to show how to act on it. 8 Steps to High Performance helps people focus their efforts where they can have the most impact on their own performance by separating the factors they can control (their behaviors, goals, networks, and more) from those that they can't (their personality, intelligence, socio-economic background, and more). Revealing the eight levers that matter most--and that people can actually change--this book describes the science behind each one, separates fact from fiction, and provides the practical steps to improve on each dimension. Research-based and practical, with self-assessments and tools to support your performance at work, this short, powerful book reveals what really works to improve performance and shows how to apply these insights to deliver outstanding results.--

Book Synopsis

The steps you need, for the results you want.

There's no shortage of advice out there on how to perform better, and better than others, at work. The problem is knowing which methods are actually proven to work--and how you should act on them to get the best results.

In 8 Steps to High Performance, talent expert and bestselling author Marc Effron cuts through the noise with his signature "science-based simplicity" approach to identify what matters most and show you how to optimally apply your time and effort to boost your performance. It turns out that higher performance comes from doing many things well--but some of those things are not in your power to change. Effron reveals the eight key factors you do control and practical steps for improving yourself on each one. You'll learn:

• How to set goals that create higher performance
• Which behaviors predict higher performance in different situations
• How to quickly develop the most important capabilities
• Who to connect with and why
• How to understand and adapt to your company's strategy
• Why you sometimes shouldn't be the "genuine" you
• How to best manage your body to sustain your performance
• How to avoid management fads that distract you from high performance

Research-based, practical, and filled with self-assessments, tools, and templates to support your performance goals at work, this short, powerful book will help you and anyone on your team deliver outstanding results.

Review Quotes

"[T]he clarity of focus on individual improvement in 8 Steps to High Performance can help inform coaching and mentoring strategies for new and aspiring leaders." --School Administrator (AASA, American Association of School Administrators)

"8 Steps to High Performance provides the advice, encouragement, and straight talk to put you on a proven path to higher performance." --Sean Connolly, President and CEO, Conagra Brands

"Marc Effron has effortlessly fused insights derived through consulting, research, and observation into this book. I wish I had access to such a book early in my career! The best part is the ease with which he delivers these concepts and practical ideas to the reader--that is his high performance!"--Santrupt Misra, CEO, Carbon Black and Director, Global HR, Aditya Birla Group

"Effron has a knack for seeing the big picture and explaining it as a series of concise scientific concepts, and this is what he achieves in 8 Steps to High Performance. Effron excels at simplifying what can seem daunting to help readers focus on practical ways to improve performance." --Tim Richmond, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, AbbVie Inc.

"Marc Effron's compact guide to career enhancement stands out for three reasons. First, he knows what he's talking about; Effron is a highly skilled manager and consultant who draws on a vast range of personal experience to justify his recommendations. Second, the book is briskly written, utterly accessible, and loaded with common sense. But third and most important, his recommendations are based on an extensive reading of the empirical literature; this is data-based feedback at its best." --Robert Hogan, PhD, President, Hogan Assessment Systems

"8 Steps to High Performance follows a simple method that Effron delivered so effectively in One Page Talent Management: start with the science, keep it simple, and make it practical. This book's clear messages--about what to do and what not to do--make it a must-read for anyone who wants to perform better at work, regardless of level or age." --Melanie Steinbach, Vice President and Chief Talent Officer, McDonald's

About the Author

Marc Effron is the founder and President of the Talent Strategy Group where he leads the firm's global consulting, education, executive search, and publishing businesses. He advises the world's premier organizations on how to build high-performing talent. Marc founded and publishes Talent Quarterly magazine and is coauthor of the bestselling book, One Page Talent Management (Harvard Business Review Press).

Author's Social Media: @the8steps, the8steps.com, talentstrategygroup.com