My least favorite corporate buzzword

High performing __________.

Why? It feels inauthentic. As if we are cars that require a new oil filter. It creates this level of competition – if someone isn’t a Mercedes or Audi, you just don’t get to compete. You don’t get to be called “high-performing”.

Sure, we can eat healthier, learn to meditate and exercise – but what exactly is high performing? Someone who follows a corporate party line and achieves its annual goals? Am I still “high performing” if I stand in my own conviction about what matters to me? Even if it goes against the party line?

Greta Thunberg went from teenage despair to being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in about 2 or so years. Did she become “high performing”?

I think not. I believe she, like all of us, are required to take a stand for what matters to us and live into this authentically.

If this makes us “high performers” for some organization, well lovely. But it shouldn’t be what motivates us, what drives us.

Our goal in life should be to live a life of purpose, having authentic relationships and doing something to help the greater good.

This is where high performance lives and thrives…