LEADERSHIP BOOKSHELF
February 2026 | The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine 13
LEADERSHIP BOOKSHELF
LESSONS FROM“ HIGH PERFORMANCE HABITS” BY BRENDAN BURHARD
High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard presents six essential behaviors— called the High Performance 6( HP6)— that enable people to reach sustained excellence while maintaining well-being, focus, and personal fulfillment. These habits are not innate personality traits but learned disciplines backed by Burchard’ s large-scale research on more than 30,000 individuals worldwide.
HABIT 1: SEEK CLARITY
High performers intentionally cultivate clarity |
in who they are, how they want to interact, and |
which skills they must develop next. They |
define their values, articulate future goals, and |
enter interactions with deliberate intention. |
Clarity |
helps |
them |
maintain |
focus |
and |
direction, |
especially |
during |
times |
of |
uncertainty. |
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HABIT 2: GENERATE ENERGY
Energy fuels achievement. High performers sustain mental, physical, and emotional vibrancy by mastering transitions, creating moments of joy, and prioritizing health. They use intentional breathing and visualization, and they commit to consistent exercise, nutrition, and sleep routines.
HABIT 3: RAISE NECESSITY
High performers develop an internal drive and an external sense of obligation that make high performance non-negotiable. They align their actions with personal standards and identity, set challenging goals, publicly share commitments, and regularly evaluate whether their behaviors match their ambitions.
performers devote at least 60 % of their time to these meaningful outputs. They eliminate distractions, avoid starting the day with email, and structure their calendars around their most impactful work.
HABIT 5: DEVELOP INFLUENCE
Influence means shaping how others think and act. High performers influence ethically by encouraging growth, sharing clear expectations, and remaining open to others’ perspectives. Leaders strengthen their teams through clarity, character development, improved relationships, and contribution-focused coaching.
HABIT 6: DEMONSTRATE COURAGE
Courage at work involves speaking truthfully, taking bold action, confronting difficult issues, and acting despite fear. High performers accept discomfort as part of growth. They avoid self-minimizing behavior, advocate for meaningful causes, and adopt a solutionoriented mindset rather than complaining.
CONCLUSION
Anyone can become a high performer. By intentionally applying the six highperformance habits— clarity, energy, necessity, productivity, influence, and courage— individuals elevate results, reduce stress, and create a more fulfilling, purposedriven life.
HABIT 4: INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
Productivity requires focus on what matters most— Prolific Quality Outputs( PQOs). High