We’ve all heard it.
“I’m a 10x developer.”
“I only hire A players.”
“We want unicorns, rockstars, ninjas.”
It sounds impressive. Elite. Efficient. Strategic, even.
But is it true? And more importantly—is it healthy?
In Episode 13 of the Leadership Explored podcast, we take on one of the most popular (and problematic) ideas in business: the 10x contributor. What started as a stat from a 1960s productivity study has snowballed into a myth that still shapes hiring practices, performance reviews, and toxic work cultures to this day.
We’re asking a different set of questions:
– What do we really mean when we say “10x”?
– Are we confusing output with actual impact?
– And is chasing individual brilliance killing our teams?
Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:
✅ The real (and shaky) origin of the 10x concept
✅ Why high output doesn’t always mean high value
✅ How the 10x mindset leads to burnout, elitism, and blind spots
✅ What great leaders actually do to create high-functioning teams
✅ The case for 1.1x improvement—and why slow, steady progress wins
One of our favorite moments from the episode came when Ed shared this:
“If your whole value is ‘I do 10 times more than everyone else’ and none of it’s about elevating the team—then is that really 10x, or is it just 10x the noise?”
🔥 That line hit a nerve.
Because we’ve both worked with brilliant individual performers who couldn’t—or wouldn’t—help their team succeed. And we’ve also worked with quieter contributors who held entire organizations together from the inside out.
This episode isn’t about calling out high performers. It’s about redefining what performance really is.
We dig into concepts like:
– Outputs vs. outcomes
– Systems thinking
– Team chemistry
– Psychological safety
– And a little framework we call the 1.1x mindset
If you’re a leader, manager, or just someone thinking more deeply about team health and long-term impact, this one’s for you.
🎧 Listen to Episode 13 – “10x: Rethinking Performance, Output & Impact”
→ www.leadershipexploredpod.com
🧠 Challenge for Listeners:
Take a look at how your team defines success.
Are you measuring speed, visibility, and busyness?
Or are you creating space for clarity, connection, and real outcomes?
We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Reply here, or email us at leadershipexplored@gmail.com.
And don’t forget—you can also connect with us on LinkedIn to share your story.
Thanks for exploring leadership with us.
Until next time,
– Ed & Andy
Leadership Explored