The Performance Equation

P = A x M x O

Performance can be best understood as an equation with three inter-connected factors.

Ability

One factor has to be the Ability (A) of those involved. Ability can also be described as competence or skills. Within any performance arena there will be different ability requirements but in most cases there will be a requirement for technical and interpersonal abilities. There will also be the ability to manage oneself.

Mindset

Ability alone does not guarantee great performance. The Mindset (M) of the performer – particularly in terms of motivation but also in terms of confidence and awareness – is a second critical factor.

In conversations with performers and coaches mindset is consistently rated as having much greater impact upon performance than technical ability.

Opportunity

The first two factors are about the individual - however, that may be enough. It is easy to imagine a situation in which people have the ability and are highly motivated to do something but are unable to do so because they do not have the Opportunity (O).

Opportunity is a mix of overt factors such as processes, structures and strategies and the deeper stuff such as culture and climate. In fact research from many sources has shown that is climate more than any other factor that influences individual and organisational performance. Opportunity as a factor in performance is therefore a little like an iceberg. It’s the bits that are hard to see that matter most.

These three factors will of course be interrelated. For example: the climate someone performs in will undoubtedly impact mindset, or the existence of development processes will be an important factor in the level of ability available to the performer.

We have worked with a number of leading organisations to verify, develop and refine our approach to develop performance using this model. Integrated with this is research into motivation and performance undertaken globally. The model and approach therefore features our unique profiling survey, analytic tools and intervention techniques derived and applied to: sport, top team interventions, entrepreneurial activity, employee/ consumer behaviour, leadership development and organisational change.