How Elite Performers Stay On Top
How Elite Performers Stay On Top
Three experts discuss what goes into sustaining excellence at high levels
One thing that sets many top performers apart from others in their fields is the way they continue to hone their craft, even when they reach the pinnacle of their careers. Whether they’re athletes, musicians, scholars, or other professionals, they continually develop a wide range of skills, such as becoming lifelong learners or learning how to promote their achievements.
BU Wheelock recently hosted a panel discussion, “Developing Expert Individuals, Teams, and Systems.” Panelists discussed the tools that experts need to continue to thrive in their profession. This discussion was part of the 2024 BU Wheelock Forum, “Thriving Individuals, Teams, and Systems.”
Panelists
- Jennifer Bill (CFA’07), lecturer in music, saxophone, and conductor of concert band, Boston University
- Joshua Goodman, associate professor of education and economics, BU Wheelock
- Oscar Gutierrez, Latin American mental performance coordinator, Boston Red Sox
Highlights from the Discussion
Becoming lifelong learners
If you’re lucky enough to become a professional and actually make money, you are going to end up becoming a lifelong learner. . . . Stay curious. Do not be content with what you already know. Continue to admit that you do not know everything. Learn from your colleagues.
Jennifer Bill
Being comfortable with sharing good news
You can do the best work in the world, but if it just sits on your hard drive, that’s not going to do the world any good. You have to be proactively out there, telling people that you’ve done something that’s worth paying attention to.
Joshua Goodman
Understanding yourself
The way we think is very important. . . . [It’s about] how your daily actions align with your values, understanding your strengths and weaknesses, self-awareness. [We need to] teach those kids how to be accurate self-evaluators, to improve [their] ability to get into the moment and return to the moment.
Oscar Gutierrez
Comments & Discussion
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