The Counterintuitive Truth about Elite Performers
Jul 28, 2025
How The Best in the World use Compensators, Limiting Factors and Functional Minimums
Whether in a 80 thousand seater stadium, in a warzone, or boardroom - there's a hidden factor that separates the elite from everyone else.
The truly elite aren't perfect.
Rather, they are 'Elite Compensators'.
The Elite Paradox: Perfection in Imperfection
Elite performers - while delivering extraordinary performances - are still human and imperfect.
At first, we may not notice the imperfection and imbalances because their strengths dazzle us … but on closer study we can see limitations that have been compensated for.
Tom Brady's pre-snap reads compensated for limited athletic ability.
Warren Buffett's shrewd decision-making offsets his admitted technology blindness.
Musks awkward communication habits compensated for this risk taking.
Yes, elite performers have limitations.
But what sets them apart initially is their ability to:
- Identify, Recognize and accept their Limiting Factors
- Ensure these factors, at the very least, meet Functional Minimums
- Brilliantly compensate for these limitations with their strengths
Limiting factors are a quality that needs to be compensated for to ensure excellent performance.
Functional minimum is the lowest level of that quality the performer must achieve to function.
Think of the masterful CEO who compensates for poor public speaking performances by leaning on their wonderful warm one-one relationship skills.
Or the creative genius who can envisage what a solution should solve in the future, but is light on details for the immediate hurdle.
As one NFL player said it best
"Exactly. We're not superheroes. We're just exceptionally good at covering for our weak spots, better than others."
Of course there's more to this ...
From Great to Elite: The Holistic Development Edge
The elite are acutely aware of their Limiting Factors – even if they never admit it publicly.
Not only are they aware of their Limiting Factors, but they are most aware of those Limiting Factors that hover near a Functional Minimums.
And most importantly, they don't just compensate - they continuously develop these areas.
They develop them to ensure they never fall below that functional minimum - so the poor communicator works with a public speaking coach, but still use their strengths in 1:1 personal communications.
This holistic approach leads to:
- Greater adaptability
- Enhanced resilience
- Sustained success over time
And that, is the true definition of elite - Sustained Success.
Becoming Elite means becoming developing beyond being a great compensator.
It requires a commitment to:
- Honest Self-Assessment:
Identify your Limiting Factors without ego or denial - Establish Your Functional Minimums:
Define the baseline competence needed in each key area of your role. - Map Your Compensation Strategies:
How do your strengths currently offset your limitations? - Identify Near-Minimum Limiters:
Which Limiting Factors are dangerously close to your Functional Minimums? - Holistic Development Plan:
Create a strategy to elevate these near-minimum areas while maintaining your strengths. - Continuous Adaptation:
Regularly reassess and adjust your development focus as you evolve. - Long-Term Resilience Building:
Focus on sustainable practices that build adaptability over time.
Remember, champions aren't born complete.
They're developed through relentless compensation and holistic growth.
Sustained Success
True elites - whether in sports, special operations, or business - share a common trait: they sustain their success over time through:
- Constant awareness of their performance matrix
- Brilliant compensation strategies
- Commitment to holistic, long-term development
This approach doesn't just lead to peak performance - it ensures you remain at the top.
