In the grand theater of leadership, the spotlight often shines on the relentless pace, complex decisions, and high stakes. 

Leaders are often portrayed as naturally gifted navigators of these challenges. In our recent research at the Work Innovation Lab by Asana, in collaboration with Dr. Greg Wells, we sought to challenge this perception and establish a science-backed framework for effective leadership.

Drawing on a comprehensive study of 6,000 leaders at several large global companies, we discovered that the strategies that define high-performing leaders mirror those adopted by top-performing athletes. 

As former competitive athletes ourselves, this insight was particularly exciting. Here are some of our key takeaways: 

The Art of Single Tasking

In archery, athletes are trained to focus on one thing at a time – the target. Research has shown that elite archers maintain a longer and more stable gaze on the target, which boosts their performance. 

Similarly, our research found that high-performing leaders focus their attention on one task at a time. We found a strong correlation between leaders who could focus effectively on one task before moving on to the next and those who met or exceeded their performance expectations.

Building a Shield Against Distractions

Research has shown that, in basketball, players often use a technique called "quiet eye," where they fixate their gaze on the basket earlier and longer before shooting as compared with novices. This helps them block out distractions and focus on the task at hand more effectively. 

Our research shows that leaders must similarly build a shield against distractions. We found a strong correlation between leaders who could block out distractions and those who could focus and concentrate effectively on one task before moving on to the next. 

With the workplace buzzing with alerts and notifications, building a layer of protection against distractions is a critical way for leaders to execute each task with higher levels of focus and concentration. The result? Less multitasking, more success.

Dancing to the Rhythm of Ultradian Cycles

Esteemed performance researcher K. Anders Ericsson discovered that top violinists synchronized their tasks with their natural energy patterns, known as ultradian rhythms. 

They practiced in intensive intervals first thing in the morning when their energy was at its peak and, as compared with novices, took more time for breaks and naps during the rest of the day. 

Our research has shown that high-performing leaders often adopt a similar rhythm, aligning their most mentally taxing activities with their highest energy levels and scheduling less demanding tasks during their low-energy periods. 

Increasingly, we see high-performing leaders leveraging AI tools to handle work during those low-energy moments, further boosting their productivity.

Flexing Mental Fitness

Athletes understand the importance of mental health in their performance. Similarly, high-performing leaders understand its impact on their ability to focus and exceed performance expectations. 

Our research found a strong correlation between improved mental health and leaders' ability to focus, as well as to meet or exceed performance expectations. 

Borrowing a simple technique from the world of athletics can be transformative. Consider ending your morning shower with a 30-second burst of cold water. This cold exposure can trigger an increase in beta-endorphins, inducing feelings of euphoria and reducing stress-related brain activity.

The secret to high performance isn't a secret at all. It's about working smarter, not harder, and it's grounded in science. As you lace up your shoes for the marathon of leadership, remember, you're not just running the race, you're redefining the finish line.

Inc