Do Your Part: 10 Skills and Practices for High Achievers to Implement for a Healthier Work Environment
True success isn’t just about what you accomplish— it’s also about how you impact others.
High achievers often set the bar high—not just for themselves, but for everyone around them. This drive fuels incredible accomplishments, from climbing the corporate ladder to excelling across multiple areas of life. Yet the very traits that power success—perfectionism, competitiveness, hyper-independence, and an insatiable need to perform—can unintentionally create high-pressure or even toxic environments.
Whether managing a team, mentoring colleagues, or nurturing personal relationships, your energy and expectations ripple outward. Without self-awareness, the same ambition that inspires you can lead to stress, burnout, and feelings of inadequacy in others, stifling collaboration, creativity, and balance.
The good news? Leadership, whether at work or at home, is an opportunity to cultivate environments that empower and uplift. By adopting intentional practices rooted in self-awareness and mindfulness, you can channel your ambition to inspire and support those around you—without overwhelming them.
This article outlines 10 key practices, adapted from client-centered coaching, to help you manage your energy, strengthen relationships, and lead with compassion—aligning your goals with your values and fostering growth, resilience, and collaboration.
1. Unconditional Positive Regard for Yourself and Others
In the high-pressure world of leadership, it’s easy to be critical of yourself or your team. However, practicing unconditional positive regard means accepting yourself and others as they are, while still striving for growth.
This involves being respectful and compassionate, especially in stressful moments. When you interact with your colleagues, team members, or even yourself, remember to look for the good in the situation. Acknowledge small victories and treat setbacks as opportunities to learn.
Action:
Start each day by reflecting on one thing you appreciate about your current situation.
When interacting with your team, express genuine gratitude for their contributions, no matter how small.
2. Full Presence and Engagement
With endless tasks competing for your attention, staying fully engaged in the moment can be difficult. But this practice is essential for both your well-being and your team’s success.
It means giving your full attention to the person or task in front of you, making others feel heard and valued. When coaching or mentoring your team, take the time to ask meaningful questions about their goals and challenges, and focus completely on their responses.
Action:
In meetings or conversations, eliminate distractions (like emails or notifications) and commit to being fully present.
Ask open-ended questions like, "What matters most to you right now?" or "How can I best support you?"
3. Observation and Curiosity
In your leadership role, observing not just what’s being said but how it’s being communicated can provide valuable insights. Pay attention to body language, tone, and non-verbal cues, especially in high-stress situations.
Be curious about what's driving people’s actions, and how their priorities are shifting. This practice helps you understand your team better, allowing you to adjust your support accordingly.
Action:
During team meetings or one-on-ones, observe how people communicate beyond their words.
Do they seem engaged or distracted? What emotions might they be expressing non-verbally?
4. Understanding Motivations and Limitations
Understanding your motivations and the factors that limit your ability to perform can significantly enhance your productivity and well-being. In your personal life, get clear on your values and the why behind your goals.
In your professional life, dig deeper into what’s driving your team’s behaviors and decisions, while also recognizing the pressures and limitations they face.
Action:
Ask yourself regularly, "Why is this goal so important to me right now?" and "What is holding me back from achieving it?"
When working with your team, encourage them to explore their motivations by asking, "What would success look like for you?" and "What obstacles do you foresee?"
5. Solution-Focused Mindset
In high-stress environments, it’s easy to focus on problems. But a solution- and strengths-focused mindset is a game-changer. This practice involves recognizing your strengths and using them to overcome challenges.
Whether managing personal burnout or helping your team navigate a difficult project, always look for what’s going right and build on those successes.
Action:
When facing a challenge, start by identifying what you’ve done right.
How can you leverage past successes to overcome the current obstacle?
Encourage your team to reflect on their strengths and build from there.
6. Appropriate Progression
Growth requires finding the sweet spot where you're challenged without becoming overwhelmed. Push yourself and your team to take on new challenges at a manageable pace.
For high achievers, this means stretching your capacity for productivity, but never to the point of burnout.
Action:
Break large projects into manageable steps. Set incremental goals and celebrate small wins.
Keep track of your stress levels to avoid pushing beyond your optimal growth zone.
7. Appropriate Regression
Sometimes, stepping back is necessary to move forward. Recognizing when to take a breather or simplify your tasks is crucial for maintaining long-term productivity and mental clarity.
If you or your team members are feeling overwhelmed, consider scaling back to avoid burnout.
Action:
If you’re feeling stressed, give yourself permission to adjust your schedule.
Take breaks, delegate tasks, or even take a mental health day.
Encourage your team to do the same when they’re overloaded.
8. Practice What You Preach
As a leader, your behavior sets the tone for your team. If you emphasize the importance of health, productivity, and well-being, be sure to demonstrate these values in your own life.
Not only does this build trust, but it also sets a clear example for others to follow.
Action:
If you promote work-life balance, ensure you’re practicing it yourself by taking regular breaks and setting boundaries around work hours.
Prioritize your health—whether that’s through exercise, sleep, or nutrition—and share your wellness practices with your team.
9. Clear Communication
Clear, concise communication is a cornerstone of effective leadership. Ensure your messages are simple, respectful, and easily understood.
Avoid jargon or unnecessary complexity—whether in emails, presentations, or meetings—so your team can act on the information without confusion.
Action:
When communicating with your team, aim for clarity and brevity.
Practice active listening and ensure everyone’s on the same page by summarizing key points at the end of meetings.
10. Humor and Celebrating Success
Incorporating humor and celebrating victories, big or small, can lift morale and reduce stress. Laughter lightens the mood and helps to build camaraderie.
As a high achiever, it’s important to recognize and celebrate your own progress, as well as that of your team.
Action:
Find humor in challenging situations and celebrate your team’s successes.
Take time to acknowledge achievements—whether it’s a completed project or a personal milestone—and make it a point to share in the joy.
Final Thoughts
As a high achiever, your drive can move mountains—but real success goes beyond personal accomplishments. It’s also measured by the environment you create and the influence you have on others. These 10 practices are more than leadership tools—they’re pathways to becoming the kind of person people want to collaborate with, grow with, and follow.
Self-awareness is your most powerful asset. It shapes how you show up, how others experience you, and how effectively you lead. When you stay present, practice empathy, communicate clearly, and approach others with respect and curiosity, you set a tone that encourages trust, collaboration, and resilience.
Leadership isn’t just about pushing forward—it’s about lifting others with you. By grounding your ambition in emotional intelligence and shared purpose, you’ll not only protect your own well-being, but also help others thrive alongside you. When you lead with intention, success becomes something everyone can share—and that’s where the real magic happens.
Need Help? Want to lead with clarity and emotional intelligence?
Whether you’re building better feedback habits or creating a culture of psychological safety—your energy sets the tone.
💬 Book your free 20-minute strategy session and start showing up as the kind of leader people actually want to work with.
Article References
The sources cited in the article:
Talkspace. "How to Fix a Toxic Work Environment.” Talkspace - How to Fix a Toxic Work Environment
Talent LMS. “10 Signs of a Toxic Work Environment & How to Deal With One.” Talent LMS - 10 Signs of a Toxic Work Environment
Fast Company (FC). “How to Deal with Toxic High Achievers.” FC - How to Deal With Toxic High Achievers
Harvard Business Review (HBR). “Managing a Top Performer Who Alienates Their Colleagues.” HBR - Managing Top Performers
Harvard Business Review (HBR). “Leaders, Stop Rewarding Toxic Rockstars.” HBR - Leaders, Stop Rewarding Toxic Rockstars
Workhuman. “Toxic Work Culture: Signs of an Unhealthy Work Environment.” Workhuman - Toxic Work Culture
Forbes. “Why Reflection is Crucial To Leadership, Future Planning, and Success.” Forbes - Why Reflection is Crucial
