The Secret Strategy to Perform at your Peak

2 Nov

Episode show notes

For those of us recovering from the effects of the past two years, it’s easy to settle into the natural human reaction to sit back and rest. In the next half hour, Ray McGrath has the power to turn that into a hunger to drive growth.

Ray draws on over 25 years of experience as he guides organisations to tangible change - he’s seen the good, the bad, and the ugly, and knows how to turn the latter into the former.

This week on The Company Doctor we discuss rejuvenating your drive to push through adversity, a new approach to accountability, picking your business’ key focus, and much more.

Key takeaways from this episode:

When you’d normally rest, push yourself

Focus on one area of excellence

Be willing to declare your intent & expectations

Quotes & Highlights

“When there are those with this preparedness, this willingness to perform, and to drive performance, and push even when there is adversity, there's something so exciting about that.” - 6:25 - Ray McGrath

“There's something so special about taking time to think about why you get out of bed in the morning, why you show up, what the fundamental purpose is to you seeking some level of performance.” - 9:05 - Ray McGrath

“Writing down peak moments where you were at your strongest, where you couldn't help but deliver and achieve, is a beautiful exercise. You end up writing not only what you did, but when it was, who you were with, and you just end up with this list of moments where you were at your peak, and what you see is a trend.” - 10:45 - Ray McGrath

“There's a very natural proclivity for entrepreneurs and individuals to actually not give themselves a break. That's an example I would suggest, at times, that goes a little bit too far the other way. Where that becomes tough is the expectation that it sets for those around you.” - 18:05 - Ray McGrath

“The strong root is the difficult route, the one that takes courage: ‘We come here to do what we say we're going to do - what is it that I can do to help you with the commitment you've missed, in addition to the one that you're going to make for this coming week’. You say it with heart and with kindness, but you also say it with performance at its centre, because you're prepared to push.” - 19:45 - Ray McGrath

“There's three components to your business’ existence, as it were, that you've got to be truly competitive. Those three elements are product leadership, customer intimacy, and operational excellence. The killer thing is choosing which one you’ll be known for.” - 24:45 - Ray McGrath

“When we start thinking about articulation of focus, rather than just articulating it as a feeling, or an aspiration, how about pulling out those goals and identifying them with a start line, finish line, and a deadline.” - 28:15 - Ray McGrath

“Disappointment is a product of expectation. So to become skilled in business, in your own career, in the way you declare intent with authenticity & integrity, and the way in which you clearly set and manage expectations: that's the kind of person I want to work for/work with, or I want to be with, because I know it's clear and I know ultimately whether I'm making a difference or not.” - 32:50 - Ray McGrath

Episode keywords

TheCompanyDoctor, podcast, podcasting, business, business podcast, CEO, CMO, COO, CFO, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, networking, marketing, strategy, business strategy, accountability, growth, business objectives, product leadership, customer intimacy, operational excellence, business coach,