[WORLD] Robert Walters, Senior Vice President at AT&T, offers a unique perspective on career advancement: focusing on becoming one of the top performers in a workplace is more beneficial than striving to be the absolute best.
Walters suggests that shifting this mindset can help leaders set more attainable goals for their teams, fostering a sense of collective achievement rather than encouraging unhealthy competition among colleagues.
This philosophy is in line with broader trends in workplace culture that prioritize collaboration over individual rivalry. A 2022 Gallup study revealed that teams with a strong sense of shared success experienced 21% higher profitability and 17% higher productivity compared to those driven by internal competition. By focusing on improving the entire team, leaders can create a more inclusive and sustainable work environment.
“By positioning people to succeed and offering them milestone achievements, we ensure they feel a sense of self-fulfillment,” Walters explains.
Drawing from his own experience, Walters acknowledges that early in his career, he leaned more toward the mindset of being the "best performer" as an individual contributor. However, he quickly realized this approach wasn’t effective when it came to leading and improving his team’s performance.
His shift in perspective aligns with a growing recognition within corporate leadership that traditional meritocratic systems can sometimes undermine teamwork. Research from Harvard Business Review points out that an overemphasis on individual rankings can stifle knowledge-sharing and mentorship, ultimately hindering long-term organizational growth.
The turning point in Walters' career occurred in 2011, while he was director of project management, network planning, and engineering. At that time, his focus on individual performance impacted his relationships with team members.
“Honestly, I had less patience and devoted less time to nurturing relationships with those I didn’t consider top performers,” Walters admits. “What I realized was that I wasn’t raising the overall performance level of those around me.” After embracing a more collaborative approach, Walters says his team was able to surpass their initial goals.
This shift in leadership style resonates with modern frameworks such as "servant leadership," where managers emphasize team development over personal recognition. Companies like Google and Salesforce have adopted similar strategies, linking leadership success to empowering teams rather than focusing solely on individual output.
“Most accomplishments are achieved through collective effort,” Walters notes. “Instead of thinking I could tackle 'world hunger' alone, I recognized that together we could start moving in the same direction.”
Leadership expert Simon Sinek, a bestselling author, shares a similar viewpoint. Speaking at the 2023 World Business Forum, Sinek encouraged employees to focus less on specific accolades and more on momentum in the workplace.
“There’s no such thing as winning,” Sinek remarked. “Yes, having goals is important, and it’s fine to aim for targets. Sometimes you’ll hit them, sometimes you won’t. The key is maintaining momentum.”
Sinek’s concept of an “infinite mindset” has gained traction, particularly in industries like tech and healthcare, where adaptability and long-term vision are more important than short-term victories. A 2023 Deloitte report found that companies embracing this mindset saw a 34% higher employee retention rate, as workers felt more connected to enduring goals rather than fleeting objectives.
Sinek advocates for an “infinite mindset,” which emphasizes lasting, holistic improvement. Achievements like "employee of the month" awards may naturally follow, he suggests, as a byproduct of consistent progress.
Walters has adopted a similar philosophy, focusing on “stacking days” by prioritizing continuous improvement, no matter how small, each day. Over time, he believes this incremental progress leads to significant long-term results.
“Whether it’s a small step or a larger one, when you look back at your career in ten years, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come,” Walters concludes.
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