TECC 88: The Peak Performance Equation for Engineers

Calvin Guyer (@CalGuyer60) shares an equation for engineers, that help minimize distraction and achieve high performance and increase our potential. Key points: Performance = Potential - Interference (gives example of Steve Jobs) Once we as engineers learn to deal with or remove the interferences we can not only increase our performance, but we can then work harder on increasing our potential. Bridge the knowing-doing gap: we know what to do, but we’re not quite doing what we need to do. Steps for how people and teams can eliminate interference: Identify interference Prioritize Bring resources in Review new interference Improve How to apply this concept in coaching: An interference will take energy to overcome; energy that might best be used somewhere else.  Taking care of a customer, making a sales call, meeting with a center of influence, or attending to a family need, may be a much better use of your energy. Some recurring items of interference: External interference: Emails Social media Phone calls Internal interference: The negative stories we tell ourselves. The false interpretations we make about others. Our own limiting beliefs about who we are and what we can accomplish. And many more… In the Take Action Today segment of the show, we give you some tips on how to improve your performance. “Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort. ” – Paul Meyer Calvin Guyer is a coach, and he developed his unique frame of reference as a coach through his military service working on highly complex engineering projects and as a certified financial planner working with high net worth families and business owners. Calvin has had a series of leadership roles in various industries throughout his career. In1994, he was appointed Director of the Air Force Jet Engine Oil Analysis Program. He assembled a team of technicians, engineers, equipment manufacturers, and researcher to identify and solve key technical and programmatic issues. The Air Force Chief of  Safety and the Air Force Deputy Commander for Maintenance praised the report, its findings and recommended full implementation. In 2009, he was tapped to lead a branch of nine advisors at Merrill Lynch with over $5 million in production. He successfully managed the office during a troubling economic downturn. Books mentioned in this session include: The Inner Game of Work: Focus, Learning, Pleasure, and Mobility in the Workplace Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High Resources and links mentioned in this session include: Engineering Career Summit TECC 86: Building Your Engineering Career Flywheel with the Two Engineering Executives Calvin Guyer’s website This podcast is brought to you by PPI providing PPI2Pass Review Courses for FE, PE, and SE Exams  What are the other interferences or distractions that is hindering your productivity? We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you might share on what strategies you have used to helped you improve your productivity, or questions on Calvin's peak performance equation for engineers. Please leave your comments, feedback or questions in the section below. If you enjoyed this post, please consider downloading our free list of 33 Productivity Routines of Top Engineering Executives. Click the button below to download. Download the Productivity Routines