| Achieving | Over-Achieving | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Coming in on time | Coming in early |
| 2. | Leaving on time | Staying late |
| 3. | Doing what you were asked to do | Doing what you were asked to do AND something you weren’t asked to do, but needed doing |
| 4. | Personally doing well | Helping other people do well |
| 5. | Following the leader | Being the leader |
| 6. | Getting it good enough the first time around | Iterating to take it to the next level |
| 7. | Getting along with colleagues | Inspiring colleagues |
| 8. | Reporting problems that need solving | Reporting problems you solved |
| 9. | Helping out a friend | Helping out an enemy, and turning them into a friend |
| 10. | Doing your job well | Changing the world |
In a political environment, often over-achieving doesn’t matter. Boxer from Animal Farm worked his ass off and got turned into glue. However, in a meritocracy, over-achieving will get you raises and promotions, friends and all your dreams come true. I know many companies/schools/groups aren’t like this.
However, I love the phrase, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” (Not a Ghandi quote by the way) I want to live in a meritocracy. I want the best ideas to win and the people who work hard to succeed. So I suspend my disbelief and I try to over-achieve. I try to reward people who do the same.
Are you achieving? or over-achieving?
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