“I wish I had been a fly on the wall for that conversation.” Have you ever uttered those words? I know I have more times than I can count. Mostly, I utter that phrase when two top performers privately get together. This is what I would like to know:
- What do they really think?
- What did they talk about?
- What questions did they ask?
- Did they show any vulnerability?
- Did they only give advice when asked for it?
- Were they fans of each other’s work?
- Did they bring up any personal agendas and if so, how deep into the conversation?
- And on and on and on…
In January 2023 we received a gift because such an event took place. Two top performers privately came together and The Athletic’s Chris Krischner and others were there to detail what happened in this article. They were the proverbial flies on the wall.
The American League’s Most Valuable Player Aaron Judge reserved some time at a local baseball facility near his home in Tampa, Florida. The National League’s Most Valuable Player Paul Goldschmidt then drove three hours to the facility so they could spend time together.
Baseball’s two best players in 2022 came together. What followed reveals to us 5 things top performers privately talk about:
Top Performers Talk About Common Interests
It often takes a top performer to understand another top performer. These two had previously met during the lockout and All-Star game. As acquaintances often do, they then stayed in periodic communication through texts and began building a friendship.
Both are also right-handed power hitters. Therefore, the mechanics of hitting as well as the challenges presented by opposing pitchers are similar.
Judge said of Goldschmidt, “I know he loves baseball. Loves his craft.” So does Judge.
Top Performers Want To Learn From Each Other
The most valuable asset top performers have is time. Time is scarce and a precious commodity. Once it is gone, you cannot get it back. As a result, top performers are quite intentional with it. Rarely does a high caliber, purpose-driven individual not have a reason for getting together with someone else. It is an opportunity not to be squandered.
Goldschmidt discussed what he wanted to learn from his time with Judge, “Everything.” Goldschmidt hoped to get Judge’s thoughts on a variety of topics including various pitchers, nutrition, physical conditioning, and his approach to the game.
They discussed several big-picture ideas but Goldschmidt was also looking for marginal gains. He added, “There’s always, like, little things. And sometimes it just can also just help you to know that other guys are thinking or seeing similar things. So I didn’t have anything in mind. I just wanted to go watch him hit and just talk to him. You don’t always get that opportunity.”
Top Performers Want To Learn How Other Top Performers Think
Too many people mistakingly focus on what top performers do, rather than how they think. Few people can do what top performers do. For instance, I can’t hit a baseball like Aaron Judge or Paul Goldschmidt. But I can learn to think like they do and approach my craft in a similar fashion.
Judge said of Goldschmidt, “He’s one of the best in the game. He’s had a fantastic career so far. When you get to spend some time with a guy like that, see what their approach is, what they think about in certain situations, it’s a special time.”
The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how they think. Therefore, find out how successful people think.
Top Performers Want To Improve In A Specific Area
Top performers usually keep their interactions private. You simply do not want to betray a sacred trust when you have been allowed into their very tight circle. Judge said, “I don’t want to go too in-depth into it. It’s kind of our time.”
But he did point out that he was hoping to improve his contact rate when having two strikes.
Top Performers Want To Best Execute On What They Have Just Learned
Remember, top performers do not waste time and place a high-value on marginal gains. In other words, they do not want to squander what they have just learned. They want to immediately put it into practice. Top performers are great stewards of new opportunities and information.
Judge said, “Getting a chance to talk with Goldy, he’s a bigger right-handed hitter that still hits for power without a leg kick. That always enticed me a little bit. … Some guys make adjustments with the no-stride and they kind of lose their power and kind of fight it off. I don’t want to be that type of guy. I want to still have a little bit of power, a little bit of juice and keep that going.”
Executing what you have just learned tells the top performer you took their time seriously and it was of great value to you. Execution is also the best way to get a follow-up meeting with a top performer.
Conclusion
If you are a top performer or have a chance to interact with one, focus on the following:
- Common interests
- Be ready to learn. Have a pen and notepad ready and take notes.
- Learning not so much what they do but more so, how they think.
- Improving in a specific area.
- Executing what you have just learned.
Also, when dealing with a top performer, use the following guidelines:
- Serve them. Do not ask anything from them. Top performers have countless people asking them for things. They have few people who genuinely just want to add value to them.
- Value their time and do not waste it.
- Come overly-prepared.
- Ask great questions.
- Be curious.
- KEEP YOUR CONVERSATION PRIVATE!!!
- Execute on what you learned.
- Give them a gift. Could be financial but you can never go wrong giving a top performer a copy of a book which has personally impacted you. Leaders are readers and understand the value of a single good idea.
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