If you’re a sports fan like I am, this is a great time! March Madness launches shortly YOUR highlight reel — but today, eyes are on the free agents signing new contracts in the NFL.
All-day long, sports networks are showing highlight reels of a player’s performance. However, when you examine who gets paid the massive bucks, it’s easy to recognize that the money is going to those players whose consistent play is like a highlight reel.
Many times in business, we recognize the outlier. The exceptional, out-of-the-ordinary performance that is special — maybe even one-of-a-kind.
However, distinction is never based on occasional or random greatness. It’s a product of consistent performance at a high level over an extended period.
The true test of greatness is not your highlight reel. It’s what you do day-in and day-out, even when nobody is watching — when the pressure is off, and the spotlight is dim. That’s where your character is really revealed. And that’s what separates the good from the great…from the genuinely distinctive.
Here are the three keys to consistent performance:
1) Do the right thing, even when it’s difficult.
My great pal, Sage Steele of ESPN’s SportsCenter, loves to quote the West Point cadet’s prayer that her father shared from his background as a student there: “Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won.”
The right thing may be the hardest to do, but it becomes a mark of distinction when done with consistency.
2) Show up every day, even when you don’t feel like it.
My friend, Olympic Gold Medallist Peter Vidmar, told me that he only had to work out two times to become a champion: when he felt like it…and when he didn’t feel like it. If you show up and deliver YOUR highlight reel — even when you don’t feel like doing so — you, too, can be considered a champ!
3) Give it your all, even when you’re not getting credit.
The world is filled with people who are just going through the motions, collecting a paycheck without putting their heart and soul into their work. Those who go above and beyond — even when they’re not getting credit for it — are the ones who make a real difference. You may not always get the credit you deserve, but if you give it your all anyway, that’s what really counts.
If you can do these things day-in and day-out, you will separate yourself from the pack. You will become somebody who is truly distinctive. And that’s what it takes to build a highlight reel that lasts.
Just a thought: do you have a highlight reel in your business?
If not, maybe it’s time to start one! A highlight reel is a great way to show off your best work, attract new clients, and model the high level of performance you desire for all members of your team.
“NEVER FORGET: TRUE GREATNESS COMES FROM CONSISTENCY. SO MAKE SURE YOUR HIGHLIGHT REEL REFLECTS THAT!”
If you want to be considered distinctive, ask yourself: How far apart are the plays on YOUR highlight reel? If they’re too far apart, it might be time to focus on consistency.
Because in the end, consistency separates the good from the great…from the genuinely distinctive.
Written by Speaker | Author | Trainer: Scott McKain
Contact us at Speakers Inc and view WeSpeak Global
Tom Goodwin: The Trends Futurist Redefining Marketing and Innovation In a world obsessed with following trends, Tom Goodwin stands out for questioning them. He’s not the kind of speaker who walks on stage to reaffirm what everyone already believes. Instead, Tom challenges assumptions, pokes holes in comfortable narratives, and demands that we look at the […]
A couple of weeks ago I was in Orlando for a talk. And, the night before I was sitting at the hotel restaurant grabbing some dinner. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that there was a basketball game on the tv at the bar and I knew the THE 3 C’S OF […]
Speakers Who Spark Growth — Reignite Purpose. Re-frame Possibility. Realign Potential. As the season changes and the world blossoms into spring, it’s the perfect time for organizations to refresh their mindset, refocus their goals, and re-energize their teams. Growth—whether personal, professional, or organizational—starts with the right spark. And that spark often comes from hearing the […]
Diversity in Speaker Lineups has become a buzzword in the event industry. Conference organizers, corporate summits, and industry panels all claim to be making strides toward inclusivity. Promotional materials showcase smiling, multicultural speaker lineups. But beneath the surface, a difficult question remains: Are events truly diverse, or are we just witnessing performative inclusion? Despite increasing […]
Welcome to the Dunder Mifflin Leadership Wisdom, where we draw inspiration from the legendary antics of The Office’s Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, and even Dwight Schrute. While the show may be known for its hilarious mishaps and quirky characters, there’s an underlying theme that every leader can learn from: the importance of motivating your staff. […]
If you’ve ever seen expectant parents in a baby shop, you’d know that pregnancy is a life stage that usually triggers an avalanche of consumerism and to find Pink Sheets. I (thankfully) never tallied what I spent during my pregnancy, I just know that becoming a mum, while filling my heart, has drained my wallet […]
We’re thrilled to bring back our Speakers Inc Virtual Speaker Showcase in 2026 and this edition is proudly focused on spotlighting the exceptional speaker talent emerging from South Africa. This isn’t just another webinar. It’s a curated, high-production showcase designed to present dynamic speakers to the people who book them such as corporate event planners, […]
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Artificial Intelligence: Revolutionizing Customer Service. AI technologies, such as chatbots, machine learning, and natural language processing, are transforming the way companies interact with their customers, leading to more efficient, personalized, and satisfactory service experiences. This article explores how AI is […]
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
