Charles Garfield’s Peak Performers: The New Heroes of American Business is a book about peak performance and how to develop it. In this book, Garfield draws on case studies of some of the leading edge corporate performers to provide readers with insight into the development of towering success.
Garfield draws on his own experience as a peak performance coach and combines that with research to provide readers with valuable insight into how to reach a peak level of performance. He defines peak performances as “conditions of excellence in which individuals, teams and even entire organizations can induce profitable flow states”. Garfield believes that such peak performances happen when we acknowledge the “self-guided motivational drive, the power of focus, the designing of tasks for maximum challenge, the commitment to developing skills through practice, the investment of time and energy, and the willingness to be continually learning”.
The book consists of a number of case studies throughout its nine chapters. In each of these case studies, Garfield examines the performers in detail and extract the ways that they achieved their goals. This includes their attitude, training methods, approaches to problem solving and implemented time management systems. Garfield also looks at the leadership styles of these performers, examining the key qualities they possess which helps foster peak performance.
Through these case studies, readers can draw some core information that helps individuals and organizations to develop peak performers. These include the balancing of successful teamwork and individual excellence, the importance of passion and commitment to the task and inspiring people to want to produce results. Garfield also explains the need for developing a strong network of resources and help support an individual’s peak performance.
Throughout Peak Performers, Garfield emphasizes the importance of instilling peak performance in both individuals and organizational settings. He outlines the steps necessary to achieve peak performance, as well as giving readers the techniques to do so. He recommends that readers understand the context within which peak performers excel and then provides them with a framework for how to develop such results.
Overall, Garfield’s Peak Performers is a book that provides insight into performance within organizational settings. By examining the case studies, readers can draw information that enables the development of tall peak performances. Furthermore, readers can apply the techniques outlined by Garfield to their own performance, enabling them to reach levels of excellence.
