The Four Types of High Performers. Which Are You?
I kept noticing trends with my clients. They would come to me and say the same types of phrases, have the same types of pain and want to overcome the same types of challenges.
I created the Four Types of High Performers Framework to help clients move through their difficulties in order to become the Healthy High Performer.
High performance isn’t just about relentless work and success at any cost. It involves navigating the complexities of ambition, emotional well-being, and personal values. Many high performers find themselves driven by an insatiable need to achieve, but this can lead to varying degrees of stress, burnout, and dissatisfaction. Recognizing these patterns is crucial for moving towards a healthier high performance state.
This guide will delve into the four distinct types of high performers: The Exhausted High Performer, The Triggered High Performer, The Seeking High Performer, and The Healthy High Performer.
In my coaching practice, everything I do is to move my clients toward the Healthy High Performer.
Each type has unique characteristics, challenges, and improvement strategies. Understanding these types helps in personal growth and enhances how you support and interact with others striving for high performance.
You could also have a blend of the types. The theory is not a hard guide, but I do find that people I coach mainly fall into one of four categories.
The Four Types of High Performers
The Exhausted High Performer
The Triggered High Performer
The Seeking High Performer
The Healthy High Performer
1. The Exhausted High Performer
A high performer on the brink of burnout. You’re a high performer, but you neglect your health and well-being. You know something has to change.
Characteristics:
Burnout-Prone: Achieves a lot but is constantly on the brink of burnout.
All-or-Nothing Thinking: Catastrophizes minor issues.
Perfectionism: Struggles with accepting anything less than perfect despite consistently receiving positive feedback.
People-Pleasing: Overcommits and cancels plans due to exhaustion.
Emotional Reactivity: Highly reactive, often engaging in emotional eating, drinking, or shopping.
Neglected Basic Needs: Skips meals, workouts, and struggles with sleep.
Solutions:
Non-Negotiables: Establish and adhere to a strict schedule for sleep, exercise, and meals.
Boundaries: Learn to say no and prioritize self-care.
Mindfulness Practices: Incorporate techniques to manage stress and improve emotional regulation.
2. The Triggered High Performer
A high performer with low emotional regulation. You can achieve so much in your life and career, but you feel like you’re at war with yourself.
Characteristics:
Emotional Volatility: Experiences intense emotions such as anger or procrastination.
Fear of Emotions: Lives in fear of their own emotional reactions.
Imposter Syndrome: Believes they’re not good enough and fears being discovered as a fraud.
Self-Criticism: Harshly critical of themselves, struggling with self-doubt.
Solutions:
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS): Work with the parts of yourself that are out of control to understand their origins and soothe them.
Emotional Awareness: Practice identifying and articulating your emotions.
Coping Strategies: Develop healthier ways to manage intense emotions and stress.
3. The Seeking High Performer
A high performer who wants clarity on their career and to live their life’s purpose. You want a life and career that’s more aligned with your purpose and values, and you’re seeking clarity on them. You’re here to make a huge impact on the world.
Characteristics:
Purpose-Driven: Desires clarity on career and life purpose.
Value Misalignment: Feels their current job doesn’t align with personal values.
Approval Seeking: Cares too much about others' opinions, even from people they don’t respect.
Self-Doubt: Constantly questions their decisions and feels stuck.
Solutions:
Values Work: Deeply explore and define your personal values.
Purpose Clarity: Determine what you’re truly here to do and how you can align your career with your purpose.
Strategic Planning: Create a tactical plan to live more in line with your values and purpose.
4. The Healthy High Performer
A high performer with high self-esteem, a purpose-filled career, and healthy relationships. You are a grounded high performer who is living their purpose.
Characteristics:
Balanced and Fulfilled: Operates at a high level with high self-esteem, a purposeful career, and healthy relationships.
Effective Communication: Skilled at tough conversations and setting boundaries.
Self-Care Priority: Prioritizes rest, exercise, healthy eating, and sleep.
High Self-Worth: Knows they are enough regardless of external validation.
Connected and Grounded: Maintains a strong mind-body connection and lives a values-driven life.
Journey to This Stage:
Integration: Combines elements from overcoming exhaustion, managing triggers, and seeking purpose.
Continuous Improvement: Regularly revisits and refines non-negotiables, values, and coping strategies.
Holistic Approach: Balances work, personal life, and self-care to maintain overall well-being.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a healthy high performer doesn’t happen overnight. It requires self-awareness, strategic planning, and continuous self-improvement. If any of these descriptions resonate with you, consider exploring further and taking actionable steps toward transformation.
For those looking to take the next step, my group coaching program, Life and Work Transformation, is launching again on July 12th. This program is designed to help you move towards being a healthy high performer.
Resources
You can also take the "Are You a Healthy High Performer?" quiz, and I can provide personalized support and tailored feedback to help you achieve healthy high performance.
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Keep dreaming big dreams.
HK