In my 16 years in HR, I've participated and managed countless #performance cycles for multiple organizations of various sizes. But, I've never seen performance demands being as high as they are right now.
On a global corporate scale, we are asking for bigger, better, faster results. We are pushing for perfection and asking for output that, to the average employee, feels impossible to produce consistently.
With all these amazing tools at our disposal to maximize #efficiency, why does it only get harder to achieve top performer status?
Here's what I think is happening:
Globalization of the workforce has massively increased access to the available #talent pool making the #job market extremely competitive. Harvard Business Review explains that the global talent pool increases competition, leading companies to raise expectations for performance.
The same tools that optimize #productivity also allow businesses to do more with fewer resources, which puts pressure on employees to continuously adapt, learn new skills, and contribute at a higher level. The World Economic Forum reports show how emerging technologies like #AI are reshaping roles, leading to expectations for more innovative #work.
In the post-pandemic era, organizational preparedness has become increasingly important. Businesses need to stay #agile and adaptable enough and they need employees to meet the demands of fast-paced changes in their industries. High-performers are those who thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
Company #culture and values gravitate more towards performance and achievement, instead of vision and behavior. Deloitte research shows that 90% of organizations have performance management strategies that focus on "high potential employees," raising the bar for performance. In other words, performance has become the deciding factor for hiring, firing and investing in employee development.
The shift in performance standards is real, and while it can feel overwhelming, it’s also an opportunity for learning and developing. Companies are looking for people who bring creativity, adaptability, and most importantly, a #growth mindset.
So, what does this mean for you? Start by focusing on continuous growth, whether that’s learning new #skills, seeking out challenges, or finding ways to innovate in your own role.
