Excellence Isn't Generic. Neither Are We.
For over 40 years, we've pioneered a singular approach: study what your best people actually do, then make it everyone's standard. No theory. No guesswork. Just evidence.
The roots of Exemplary Performance can be traced to the field of Human Performance Technology and a deceptively simple question posed by Dr. Joe Harless:
"What's preventing exemplary performance?"
That question shifted attention beyond training alone and toward the conditions, accomplishments, and practices that produce meaningful business results.
Exemplary Performance was later founded by Dr. Paul Elliott, a student and protégé of Dr. Harless. Through decades of consulting work, the company applied these principles to help organizations study their own top performers and translate what they learned into practical performance standards and systems.
Jaime Torchiana first encountered Exemplary Performance as a client. After experiencing the methodology's impact firsthand, she began collaborating with the company and ultimately acquired the business in 2021.
Today, under Jaime's leadership, Exemplary Performance continues to advance and operationalize this evidence-based approach through Role Excellence Profiles and related tools for hiring, onboarding, coaching, development, and organizational performance.
The tools continue to evolve. Technology and AI create new possibilities. But the central belief remains unchanged:
The blueprint for excellence already exists inside your organization. We help you find it, make it visible, and scale it.
Internal Benchmarking: The Science of Scaling Stars
Traditional approaches rely on external benchmarks, expert opinions, and generic competency models. We take a fundamentally different approach.
Study the Top 1%
We identify and rigorously study your highest-impact performers — the people who consistently produce extraordinary results within your unique context.
Codify Observable Behaviors
We translate their tacit knowledge into specific, observable, and teachable behaviors captured in Role Excellence Profiles — your unique formula for success.
Align the System
We embed those findings into your hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management systems so excellence becomes systematic, not accidental.
The Internal Benchmarking Advantage
Culturally Aligned
Your stars have already figured out how to succeed within your culture, politics, and constraints. Their methods are proven to work in your environment.
Immediately Implementable
No translation required. The practices we codify are already being used successfully by people in your organization, in your roles, with your tools.
Cost-Effective
Your top performers are readily available to study. No expensive external consultants defining "best practices" from organizations that don't match yours.
Measurably Impactful
Because the standard is derived from real performance within your organization, the gap between current and desired performance is clear and closeable.
40+ Years of Proven Impact
Foundations in Human Performance
The work is grounded in Human Performance Technology and the outcome-focused principles advanced by Dr. Joe Harless and other leaders in the field.
Founding of Exemplary Performance
Dr. Paul Elliott founded Exemplary Performance and applied internal benchmarking and Role Excellence principles in enterprise consulting engagements.
Microsoft Partnership
Long-term engagement with Microsoft to define and apply Role Excellence principles across the organization.
ISPI Award of Excellence
“Exemplary Performance,” the book co-authored by Paul Elliott and Al Folsom, received the International Society for Performance Improvement’s Award of Excellence for Outstanding Human Performance Communication.
New Ownership
Jaime Torchiana acquired Exemplary Performance and assumed leadership of the business, client work, partnerships, and the company’s evolution.
Scaling Excellence
Under Jaime’s leadership, Exemplary Performance continues to help organizations turn the practices of their own top performers into validated Role Excellence Profiles and practical tools for hiring, onboarding, coaching, and development.
The Blueprint for Excellence Is Already Inside Your Organization.
Stop guessing. Start scaling the proven practices of your top performers.
Book a Strategic Consultation