The old way of thinking about peak performance isn’t always the best way, and maximum effort doesn’t necessarily equal maximum results, with research showing that the 85% rule is more effective. This rule suggests that to reach maximum output, you shouldn’t give maximum effort all the time.
Why it matters: Operating at 100% effort constantly leads to burnout and less-optimal results in the long run. The 85% rule is a helpful guideline for managers who want to build high-performance teams that will achieve consistent results, without getting burned out.
- Research suggests that instead of “maximum effort = maximum results,” managers should shoot for “optimal effort = maximum results” to increase success within their teams.
- Because top performers tend to be very self-motivated, it makes sense to manage them differently, otherwise, they may become exhausted. These employees are usually very engaged in their work but also exhibit high burnout. It’s recommended that managers ask them how they may be making their work more stressful than it has to be and take action to improve the situation.
- It’s a good idea to encourage 85%-right decisions within teams. This will take needless pressure off the highest-performing employees while keeping the team moving in the right direction, without having to wait for the 100%-right choice before taking action.
