How your inner circle can influence your mindset

In January 2022, when my book The Success Factor was published, I hosted a virtual book launch party. It was a celebration that brought together friends, family, and some of the high achievers I had interviewed for the book—astronauts, Nobel Prize winners, Olympians, and more.

Just before the event, one of the astronauts texted me with an unexpected question: “Will [a prominent physician-scientist at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic] be there?” I chuckled and responded, “Omicron just hit; I think he’s a bit busy dealing with that right now. But this Nobel Prize winner will be there.”

The astronaut’s reply floored me: “Wow, a Nobel Prize winner? Now that’s a high achiever.”

I was baffled. This was coming from an astronaut—someone who’d gone to space, which only a select few will ever achieve. When I later shared this exchange with the Nobel Prize winner, he wasn’t surprised. “I know most of the other Nobel Prize winners in the sciences,” he said casually. “It’s a small world. We see each other often.” To him, being a Nobel laureate, while extraordinary to the rest of us, was simply normal in his sphere.

The same was true for the astronaut. For him, being surrounded by other astronauts had normalized what is objectively an extraordinary achievement. This experience revealed a profound truth: our baseline for what we consider “normal” is shaped by the people around us.

The rising baseline effect: redefining normal

When everyone in your immediate circle has a doctorate, it can feel like an expectation rather than an extraordinary accomplishment. Yet, less than 2% of the world’s population holds a terminal degree. This phenomenon, where we normalize exceptional achievements, is what I call the “rising baseline effect.”

If you want to elevate our own standards and achievements, you need to surround yourself with high achievers. Now, this doesn’t mean you must accomplish what they have, but being in their orbit can shift your perspective on what’s possible and lets you imagine yourself achieving more.

The spillover effect: proximity to excellence

Even if you don’t mirror the accomplishments of those around you, research shows that close proximity to high performers can positively impact your own performance. This phenomenon, known as the “spillover effect,” underscores the power of your environment.

It’s not just your five closest friends who influence your character. A study found that employees sitting within a 25-foot radius of high performers experienced a 15% boost in productivity. High achievers radiate curiosity, innovation, and motivation—qualities that ripple and touch colleagues nearby.

The danger of the toxic employee

Unfortunately, the proximity principle also applies to underachievers. A single toxic employee can infect their organization with their negativity. And they often have a much bigger influence than their high performing peers. Their behaviors, less than stellar output, and pessimistic views can diminish productivity, disintegrate morale, and stifle innovation across teams. This is why it’s not enough to add high achievers to your circle. It’s also important to minimize your exposure to toxic individuals

How to build a high-achieving network

If you want to intentionally curate a network that elevates your baseline and leverages the spillover effect, consider these steps:

1. Identify and engage with high performers
   Seek out opportunities to connect with people who excel in their fields. Attend industry conferences, join professional groups, and engage with thought leaders on platforms like LinkedIn. By starting to engage and emulate their mindset, you’ll start to move closer into the circle of high achievers .
2. Learn through observation
   High achievers often model behaviors and mindsets that lead to success. Pay attention to their mindsets, decision-making processes, and ways of thinking. When you adopt even a fraction of their approach, it can create significant improvements in your own performance. Just by taking action, you are doing what most won’t.
3. Embrace mentorship
   You don’t need to be in the same room as Nobel Prize winners or astronauts to benefit from the rising baseline effect. Surround yourself with peers and mentors who challenge and inspire you, and reciprocate by sharing your own knowledge and expertise.
4. Eliminate toxicity
   Be vigilant about the influence of negativity in your network. Limit interactions with individuals who drain your energy or stifle your growth, and prioritize relationships that uplift and inspire. If they enter the break room when you’re there, give yourself permission to leave. If they want to stop by your office to chat, tell them you’re  preparing for a meeting. Give them a reason to leave.

Elevating your normal

By intentionally surrounding yourself with high achievers, you can recalibrate your baseline for what’s possible. Whether it’s in the workplace or your personal lives, the people you spend time with profoundly shape your mindset, aspirations, and ultimately your outcomes.

Remember, you don’t achieve success in isolation. You nurture it in environments that challenge you to aim higher, dream bigger, and perform better. So, choose your inner circle wisely. Your future self will thank you.

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