Why Striving to be the Top Performer Might Not Be Beneficial, According to an AT&T Executive

Robert Walters presents an unconventional perspective for those eager to excel: It may be more advantageous to aim for a spot among the top performers rather than seeking to outshine everyone.

Walters, who serves as a senior vice president at AT&T, believes this altered viewpoint can help managers create an environment that enhances productivity for everyone, rather than promoting rivalry among peers.

"Ensuring individuals have opportunities to succeed through attainable goals provides them with a sense of personal accomplishment," explains Walters.

Initially, Walters focused on being the standout performer in his career, a mindset he found less effective when attempting to elevate his team's collective performance.

His transformation occurred in 2011 while managing project and network planning. The former approach strained his relationship with team members.

"Honestly, I had limited patience and time for those I didn't regard as top achievers," Walters notes. "I realized my approach wasn't improving the average performance level around me."

Once his mindset shifted, the team achieved outcomes surpassing initial expectations.

"Great accomplishments come from group efforts," Walters asserts. "Rather than believing I could tackle 'world hunger' alone, we moved forward cohesively."

Leadership consultant Simon Sinek also promotes a perspective similar to that of Walters'. During the 2023 World Business Forum, Sinek advised professionals not to get overly fixated on accolades in their work.

"Winning, as a concept, doesn't exist," Sinek stated. "Setting goals is beneficial. Sometimes you meet them, sometimes you don't. More crucial is the momentum you maintain."

Sinek proposes embracing an 'infinite mindset,' which focuses on continuous, enduring progress. Rewards like 'employee of the month' can be a byproduct of this approach, he suggests.

Walters resonates with this philosophy. He aims to 'stack days,' meaning to concentrate on making small, incremental progress every workday, which cumulatively generates significant advances over time.

"Whether the improvement on a given day is small or substantial, after a decade, the cumulative growth will be remarkable," Walters concludes.