What the Top 1% of High Performers Actually Do Differently

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with some of the most exceptional minds on the Global Sales Leader Podcast—from Nobel Prize-winning researchers and Olympic coaches to elite sales professionals, body language experts, mindset specialists, and even members of the Jamaican bobsleigh team.

Their industries and experiences may differ, but the way they show up—their habits, mindset, and daily approach to excellence—follows a pattern.

The top 1% don’t just know what to do.

They live it.
Consistently. Deliberately. Quietly.

Here’s a closer look at what they all have in common—and what you can take from it to raise your own performance.

1. They Prospect Every Day

The best performers treat prospecting like brushing their teeth—it’s just part of the daily routine.

Whether in sales, sport, or science, they’re constantly expanding their networks, reaching out to old contacts, initiating new conversations, and keeping relationships warm. They don’t wait for “the right time” to connect—they create opportunities through consistency.

🧠 Ask yourself:
Are you nurturing your network daily—or just when you need something?

2. They’re Obsessively Prepared

Before every meeting, every presentation, or every performance, top achievers go in ready.

They research deeply. They anticipate objections. They understand the context. And they tailor their message with care. This level of preparation creates calm, clarity, and impact.

🧠 Ask yourself:
How often do you really prepare for success—or are you winging it more than you admit?

3. They Follow a Clear Process

High performers don’t rely on gut feel alone. They have structured, well-defined methods that guide their actions.

In sales, that means a predictable, repeatable process from prospecting to close. In sport or leadership, it’s rituals and routines that create rhythm. When the pressure’s on, structure helps you stay grounded.

🧠 Ask yourself:
Is your success built on a system—or just spurts of effort?

4. They Are Ruthlessly Customer-Centric

Whether their “customer” is a client, team, or end user, the best performers put their audience at the centre of everything.

They listen more than they talk.
They solve problems, not push solutions.
They aim to understand before being understood.

This builds trust, credibility, and long-term impact.

🧠 Ask yourself:
Do you lead with curiosity—or assumption?

5. They Manage Their Time Like It's Gold

Elite performers know exactly where their time goes—and they guard it fiercely.

They prioritise high-value activities. They say no to distractions. They don’t fill their calendar to look busy—they build space to think, create, and execute with intent.

🧠 Ask yourself:
Are you busy—or effective?

6. They Embrace Feedback and Continuous Learning

The top 1% never stop learning.

They seek feedback. They stay coachable. They reflect regularly. And they use every interaction—whether it's a win or a setback—as fuel for growth.

They’re not threatened by growth—they’re obsessed with it.

🧠 Ask yourself:
Are you open to feedback, or defending your comfort zone?

7. They Operate with Calm Confidence and Resilience

Confidence isn’t noise—it’s presence.

High performers handle objections and setbacks with clarity, not panic. They believe in themselves, their offer, and their purpose. When things go wrong (and they do), they reset, refocus, and move forward.

🧠 Ask yourself:
Do you bounce back—or break down?

8. They Prioritise the Boring but Crucial Things

Here’s the quiet truth: the best don’t rely on motivation. They rely on habits.

They do the boring stuff. Repetition. Rehearsal. Reflection. Rest. They don’t chase hacks. They invest in mastery.

It’s not glamorous—but it works.

🧠 Ask yourself:
What small habit would compound over time if I stuck with it?

It’s Not About Being Superhuman

It’s about being intentional.

The top 1% don’t chase success in bursts. They build it in layers—daily, weekly, monthly—through small, repeatable actions that align with their values and goals.

They stay committed when it’s hard.
They don’t wait to feel ready.
They act anyway.

If You’re Ready to Join That 1%...



Start by reflecting on these questions:

• Where am I consistent—and where am I not?
• What one behaviour could I start practising daily?
• Who in my world can help me stay accountable to it?
• 
  

You don’t need a new strategy—you need alignment between what you say matters and what you do each day.

That’s where performance becomes powerful.

🔁 I’d love to know: Which of these traits resonates most with you right now?

Drop a comment or share this with someone who’s aiming higher.

#salesperformance #highperformancehabits #resilience #growthmindset #salesleadership