Performance First™

A practical approach to training that works

This path of growth is designed for corporate training professionals who want to stop wasting time on ineffective training and start designing programs that actually drive performance.


Built on over two decades of experience, Performance First™ equips you to:

  • Align training with real business needs

  • Build programs around the performance you expect

  • Deliver results that leadership notices

The Book!

Performance First: A practical approach to training that works

Discover how to design training that prepares employees to perform — not just learn.

This practical guide walks you through writing performance-based objectives and aligning your programs with business outcomes.


✅ Great for L&D professionals, team leads, and training consultants.

The Performance First™ Flow

A five-phase approach to building training that drives real-world performance.

This visual shows how the Performance First™ model helps learners move from clarity to confident performance — with rehearsal, feedback, and real-world complexity built into the learning experience.

Need help applying the model?


If you're ready to implement the Performance First™ approach in your organization but aren’t sure where to start, I offer services that meet you where you are:

  • Strategic Consulting – Fix training challenges at the root and align with your business strategy

  • 30-Day Advisory Retainer – Get high-touch, short-term support to move your team forward

  • Workshops and Team Training – Equip your L&D team to design training that drives real performance

Courses and Certifications

Course: Coming Soon


Writing Performance-Based Objectives

Learn how to craft training objectives that actually drive business success.

In this practical mini-course, you'll discover how to align learning experiences with real-world performance needs, create measurable objectives that matter, and accelerate your organization's impact through smarter training design.


Want to be the first to know when our courses and certifications launch?

Certification: Coming Soon


Business Liaison Certification

Become a certified Performance First™ Business Liaison and bridge the gap between business needs and learning solutions.

This certification program prepares you to consult with business leaders, write powerful performance-driven objectives, and ensure training initiatives deliver measurable results for your organization.


Want to be the first to know when our courses and certifications launch?

Join Our Online Community

The Docks at Next Level is a relaxed community for training professionals who want to connect, share, and grow—without the pressure of perfection.

Whether you’re deep in L&D or just finding your footing, The Docks is your space to ask questions, exchange ideas, and get inspired.


✅ No pressure to buy anything


✅ No gatekeeping of ideas

✅ Just real conversations that help you move forward


Join the Community and pull up a chair—we’ve been saving a seat for you.

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Performance First™ is a trademark of Next Level Training Strategies, LLC.

Maxwell Leadership® content used by permission. All rights reserved by The John Maxwell Company.

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