"High performance is silent to the untrained ear. But those who know, recognize it instantly."

Today’s Ladder:

This Language Builds Careers

I used to think high performers were wired differently.

You know the type:

• Always hitting goals.

• Always getting picked.

• First to speak up in meetings.

I thought they had something I didn’t.
Turns out, they just spoke a different language.

So, at first, I tried working harder.

→ More hours. 

→ More hustle. 

→ More burnout.

But then I started paying attention.

And I noticed something:

The people getting ahead weren’t just working harder…

They were communicating differently:

• Their presence. 

• Their precision.

• Their posture.

It wasn’t random.
It was intentional.

That’s when I realized:
High performance is a language.

And like any language, it can be learned, practiced, and spoken fluently.

Master the Language of Winners

Here’s what I began to study and master:

1. Clarity – High performers don’t ramble. They speak in headlines.

2. Ownership – They don’t just share problems. They bring solutions.

3. Elevation – They think beyond their role. They contribute to the bigger picture.

Once I adopted those habits, I didn’t just sound like a leader.

I became one.

You don’t need a fancy degree, a big personality, or 5 more years of experience.

You need fluency in the patterns that get results.

High performance isn’t a secret code.

It’s a skillset.

One that starts with how you show up, speak, and solve problems.

If you can learn the language, you can lead the room.

Takeaway:

Performance Has a Native Tongue

As I was waiting for my flight, I heard music.

Not the canned overhead kind…

But the kind that makes you stop in your tracks.

Then I saw an elderly man playing a grand piano in the middle of the terminal.

The Jacksonville airport in Florida might be the only one in the world with a grand piano on an elevated mini stage in the middle of the terminal!

The elderly man’s eyes were closed. His fingers dancing across keys. 

Passengers who’d been lost in their phone screens began to lift their heads. 

Some clapped. 

Some sang. 

Then a chorus of strangers started singing in unison.

And dozens of weary passengers started dancing.

For about 30 minutes, that airport terminal became something it was never designed to be.

It became a stage.
A choir.
A gathering place for strangers.

No words were spoken, yet everyone understood.

Because high performance is a language.

And this man?

He spoke it fluently.
He didn’t demand attention.

But he moved people into harmony.

It reminded me of the 3rd Commandment I teach in The 10 Career Commandments:

“High Performance Is a Language.”

Master it, and you won’t just get noticed.

You’ll get followed.

You don’t need a fancy degree or loud personality to grow your career.
You need fluency in the language that earns trust, commands rooms, and sparks alignment.

And the good news? 

That language can be learned.

If you’ve ever felt invisible despite your talent, this commandment is for you.

Commandment #3: High Performance Is a Language

Clear. Tactical.

Built for professionals who refuse to shrink.

If you want a full copy of The 10 Career Commandments, click here.

ICYMI: Links to recent issues

😡 How to Know When It’s Time to Quit Your Job

🙋🏻‍♀️ Why Some People Get Promoted Faster (And How You Can Too)

💰 How to Ask for a Raise (And Actually Get It)

To your success,

Dr. Lex ✍️

Founder, Career Ladder | Career MBA