How High Performers Think, Communicate, and Lead

Listen to the podcast's highlights here!

I recently sat down with Dean Durman, CEO and Founder of One to the Power 3, for a powerful discussion about performance, communication, and what really separates top achievers from everyone else.

One thing became obvious very quickly:High performance isn’t luck — it’s the result of mindset, clarity, and communication.

Mindset Drives Performance

Dean and I spoke about how many people confuse “being busy” with “performing well.” High performers think differently. They don’t let pressure, emotion, or chaos steer them off course. They slow the moment down, take ownership, and make clear decisions.

As Dean said, “Pressure doesn’t break people. Poor preparation and poor clarity do.”

Communication Shapes Outcomes

This was a major theme. Most breakdowns in business and relationships happen because the communication is emotional, vague, or mismatched.

A few things high performers do well:

• Match the other person’s tone and language

• Remove emotional heat before responding

• Use reflective statements (“I sense you’re frustrated…”)

• Ask direct questions to get clarity

What they don’t do is say things like “calm down” or “it’s not a big deal.” Those phrases shut people down instantly.

Separate the Person From the Problem

Dean and I both agree that too many people attack the person instead of addressing the issue. High performers keep the emotion out of it. They define the problem clearly and work through it without blame or ego.

This one shift alone can transform how teams operate.

Confidence Comes From Process, Not Personality

Confidence is something I get asked about a lot. And Dean summed it up perfectly:Confidence isn’t genetic — it’s trained.

It comes from frameworks, repetition, feedback, and knowing exactly how to communicate under pressure. When the process is clear, confidence follows.

Turning Pressure Into Performance

Throughout our conversation, one message kept repeating:Pressure isn’t the enemy — untrained communication is.

When you know how to match energy, use the right language, remove emotion, and give clear direction, pressure becomes an advantage.

Final Thoughts

This conversation with Dean is packed with insights for anyone wanting to:

• Lead better

• Communicate more effectively

• Perform under pressure

• Build confidence

• Develop high-performing teams

If you want the full story and practical examples, make sure you listen to the full episode on Spotify.