There are many ways to do superb work. One approach is to focus on a specific activity where you helicopter above a situation before then moving into being hands-on and delivering high standards.
What may be the situation where this happens for you? You may be counselling a person, playing a sport or doing another activity. You may be solving a technical problem or tackling a particular challenge.
Looking ahead, how can you put yourself into more of these situations? How can you continue to deliver high standards, find solutions to challenges and achieve success?
Different people follow this approach when pursuing different activities. Whatever the situation, however, many of them focus on the following themes to do superb work.
Helicoptering
Great sports players sometimes seem to hover above the situation. they take pictures of what is happening and see patterns. They then apply their skills to follow their chosen strategies and achieve success.
Great workers follow a similar approach in the activities where they excel. One family therapist I knew described what happened for them in the following way.
“The first time I experienced this sensation was when I was running a family therapy session. This sounds odd: but suddenly it felt as if I was hovering above people in the room.
“Looking from above, I could clearly see the family communication patterns. At the same time I was still completely involved in the face-to-face communication with each person.
“Now I have a similar experience when teaching large groups. Whilst speaking from the front, I see the smallest movement made by each person. This helps me to see patterns and, if necessary, change strategy to get results.”
Great workers who follow this approach often think strategically. They seem to hover about the situation, gather information and take the following steps.
They clarify the real results to achieve and the potential picture of success.
They clarify the possible ways forwards and the consequences of each option for achieving the picture of success.
They clarify the strategy they want to follow and their action plan for working towards achieving the picture of success.
Imagine that a person has taken these steps. They may be acting as a medic, counsellor, technical expert, crisis manager, leader or doing another activity. They may then move on to the following theme.
Hands-On
Great workers focus on the strategy they want to follow and, when appropriate, being to pursue their action plan. This may involve them moving into their equivalent of being hands-on.
Such workers then operate in several dimensions. They continue to play to their strengths and do the following things when working towards the goals.
They still helicopter above the situation to see the big picture and the strategy required to achieve the picture of success.
They are also able to be fully present on the ground and use their skills to work towards achieving the picture of success.
They focus on what is actually happening – plus what may happen – and apply their repertoire to work towards achieving the picture of success
Different professionals follow their equivalent of the hands-on approach in different situations. A surgeon, crisis manager, sports coach, leader or other worker will apply their skills in different ways to achieve success.
Whatever route they take, such workers aim to keep seeing the big picture. They follow their strategy but are agile enough to find solutions to challenges along the way. They may then move on to the next stage.
High Standards
Great workers may apply different strategies and skills to deliver consistently high standards. Bearing this in mind, however, many demonstrate the desired character, competence and class. Let’s explore these themes.
Character
Great workers demonstrate the character required to do superb work in their chosen activity. They make sure that they have the right drive, discipline and determination to manage challenges.
A salesperson must have the drive to hit financial targets. An actor must have the resilience to overcome rejection. An athlete must have the discipline to train every day.
Competence
Great workers have the character required to deliver superb work in their chosen activity. This calls for them having the right combination of strengths, strategic thinking and skills.
Chefs must have a natural feeling for food. Carpenters must have the right skills to produce works of craftsmanship. Troubleshooters must be able to quickly get to the heart of the matter and make good strategic decisions.
Class
Great workers deliver consistently high standards. Some may also reach their goals by adding that touch of class. Sometimes this can be a simple act of kindness. Sometimes it can be something spectacular.
The footballer scores a remarkable goal. The singer produces a memorable encore. The medical team works brilliantly to deliver a life-saving operation.
Great workers sometimes go into another dimension and give people a positive memory of life. They keep doing the basics and then add the brilliance on the way towards achieving the picture of success.
There are many ways to play to your strengths and do superb work. One approach is to focus on the specific activity where you helicopter above a situation before then being hands-on and delivering high standards.
Can you think of a specific activity where you may have the ability to follow elements of this approach? How can you focus on doing this activity and continue to perform superb work?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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