Watch the full episode Decoding Performance: Bringing Out Your Best in High-Stakes Events with Noa Kageyama

Noa Kageyama, distinguished sports and performance psychologist, as well as a faculty member at Juilliard, took a rather remarkable detour in his professional journey.

Noa Kageyama’s musical journey began when he first picked up the violin at just two years old. For the next two decades, he immersed himself in intensive training and performance, collaborating with world-renowned musicians. Alongside his musical pursuits, he pursued higher education, earning a degree in psychology for Oberlin College. Furthering his commitment to music, he pursued a Master’s degree from Juilliard, a globally acclaimed music school. During his time at Julliard, a profound inner transformation began to take shape, prompting him to get started on an unconventional academic path that led him to earn a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Indiana University. This shift towards psychology granted Kageyama a unique vantage point on performance, distinct from the singularly focused learning he had earlier known.

Noa joined our founder Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa, for an insightful conversation that delved into the art of excelling under pressure and cultivating unshakeable resilience as a performer (you can watch the full episode here). 

Getting Into Flow Under Pressure

Noa talked about the two goals that Jeff Huber, the famous Olympic diving coach sets for his athletes. One is to help them learn how to dive better. And two, to help them learn how to dive better in competitions. 

In the world of performance, irrespective of disciplines or fields, there are two distinct but interconnected challenges that align with Huber’s goals. First, there’s the challenge of skill development. Every performer seeks to improve their craft, whether they’re a musician or an athlete. This aspect is fairly universal — the quest to become better at what you do. 

However, there’s a second challenge that’s often overlooked: the ability to apply those skills effectively in high-pressure situations, like a competition or a live performance. This requires a different kind of preparation, one that goes beyond honing your skills to managing your nerves and staying confident. 

According to Noa, the linchpin in overcoming this challenge is focus. It’s the ability to pinpoint precisely what matters most at any given moment and then staying completely engaged with that task for as long as necessary. This skill is crucial for achieving that elusive state of flow or ‘being in the zone.’

Musicians, in particular, frequently experience this state, but it can be fleeting and challenging to replicate, notes Noa: “Because especially once we realize we’re totally in the zone, we get shoved out of the zone, and then it’s hard to know how to get back there.” Recognizing what to focus on during these moments is key to delivering consistent, pressure-resistant performances. 

Noa Kageyama’s shift towards psychology granted him a unique vantage point on performance, distinct from the singularly focused learning he had earlier known

The Spectrum of Performers

There’s also a diverse spectrum of performers, each with a unique relationship to their craft. This extends across various domains. 

At one end, you have the naturally gifted individuals who effortlessly excel thanks to their innate talent. They may not have an all-consuming passion for their discipline, but their abilities shine through. In the middle, there are the dedicated enthusiasts, the ‘junkies’ of their field. They live and breathe their craft, constantly striving to improve. While they might not always steal the spotlight, they maximize their potential through sheet commitment. In music, as in sports or any other field, there are those who strike a balance, says Noa. They love what they do but don’t feel compelled to make it their entire life’s focus.

And then, there are those who find themselves in their profession by circumstance rather than choice – those who’ve not thought long enough about whether they want to be a musician or a basketball player or not. 

What Sets Maestros Apart

The true maestros are a rare breed. They combine natural talent, unwavering dedication, and profound love for their craft into a single package. Noa points to champions like Michael Jordan and LeBron James as prime examples.

These individuals don’t just rely on their innate gifts; they are ardent students of their discipline. Their success hinges on their relentless pursuit of excellence, marrying their natural aptitude with an insatiable desire to be the best.

Noa, however, admits to a personal struggle. Despite having talent, he couldn’t summon the same level of commitment when he played the piano. His interests pulled him in different directions, leaving him frustrated with his progress because he couldn’t find a sense of drive in any of these directions. Yet, he finds inspiration in those who diligently seek improvement:

“When I see a musician who is geeking out a little about their craft, that’s really awesome to see because I know that’s going to bring good things for them, even if they end up not going into music at some point like myself in their mid-twenties. You know that they grasp and understand…the joy of learning how to get better at something. That’s the thing that really stands out to me the most and resonates with me when I see [them].”

He also notes that it’s not about the sheer amount of time invested in the craft but the quality of that time: “For me, for instance, I certainly put in a lot of time, but most of the time was rather mindless.” The ability to use this time to tackle problems, refine techniques, and continuously strive for better results is a hallmark of individuals poised to make a significant impact, whether as performers, educators, or administrators. 

Preparing to Perform at Your Best

Conventional wisdom has long held that our performance and leadership capabilities are essentially fixed, unchanging over the short term. However, Mentora’s research has challenged this notion, revealing that high performance is far from a static trait. Instead, the same individual can exhibit varying mental health conditions, personalities, character traits, and leadership styles in different circumstances. 

Our work with executives across diverse industries, roles, and hierarchies, implementing an accelerated approach based on the Core-Energies-Actions leadership model,  has yielded powerful findings, inspiring stories, and a strong validation of the innate capacity people possess to engage in exemplary acts of leadership and performance.

This model hinges on a focused 10-minute preparation before high-stakes events, involving the selection of precise actions, visualization of the event’s flow, and a moment of reflection before stepping into the challenge. The result? Those who did this prep performed twice as effectively as their counterparts who did not.  

This approach transcends specific objectives – whether it’s mastering one’s emotions, navigating crucial conversations, making high-impact decisions, or giving effective feedback. It stands as a testament to the boundless potential within us all, waiting to be unlocked by tapping into our Inner Core —  that space of highest potential within you.