In your opinion, what's a successful layout for a high-performing email?

A high performing email template basically has all the elements work together to help the sender achieve the particular goal.

The Headline needs to be catchy just as the message is;

The message needs to be informative enough to make the recipient take the next step.

Your call to action should be at strategic stages of the email for easy decision making.

All in all it should be goal oriented and informative.