Problems, crises and challenges are really inconsiderate. They always show up without sufficient warning. They never make appointments and allow us to conveniently fit them into your busy schedule. They don’t knock on your door. They barge in and disrupt our routine. Let’s agree that this disruption is inevitable and unavoidable. Then, look closer at how you handle it.
When turmoil barges in, what happens to your emotional state of mind? Do you react? Respond? Or some combination of the two? How much do you adapt your style in the face of a major challenge?
In coaching executives, we typically utilize behavior assessments that determine and describe both their natural style and how much that can change in times of stress and fatigue. This insight can lead to enhanced self-awareness which, in turn, brings breakthrough results. In effect, we get detailed answers to three questions…
What is the value in learning these answers? It depends. Executives are like snowflakes. They appear similar until you look at their uniqueness. Here are two case studies where enhanced self awareness led to business breakthroughs.
I helped one client to discover that he is naturally cautious and compliant and comfortably lives by the rules. Conversely when the fur flies, he becomes much more driving and aggressive. He is more likely to throw caution to the wind. The result is that he operates with one foot on the gas and one foot on the break. It’s a bit maddening to those around him. With a heightened awareness for how this effects his ability to pursue and achieve his goals, changes are slowing starting to happen as he understands how and why he makes decisions in each mode.
With another company President, his assessment found him inherently trusting, empathetic and optimistic: much more so than most everyone else he will encounter. So what’s wrong with that? There is no right or wrong. We are who we are. The value comes from understanding how “who we are” is getting in the way. This executive’s “ah-ha moment” came when he realized that he habitually gives away the store in even the most routine negotiations. In his case it doesn’t matter if the heat is on or not. His behavior is consistent. We discovered his blind spot for recognizing flaws in both people and prospective deals. His heightened awareness of the consequences of this has inspired some significant positive change. He now looks to both delegate and consult with the more skeptical people around him. He is gradually developing a more skeptical approach himself. This doesn’t happen overnight. But, within a just few months, his heightened awareness has saved his business tens of thousands of dollars.
In helping successful people become even more successful we first help them to crystallize their goals and then address both their tangible and intangible obstacles to getting them. Those intangibles typically include the behaviors that supported past success will now trip them up in the future.
“What Got You Here Won’t Get You There”
– Marshall Goldsmith’s book title
“We have met the enemy and he is us.”
– Walt Kelly: From his comic strip: Pogo
As you pursue your next level of success, how have you occasionally become an enemy to your cause? What might you gain by discovering your blind spots?
My other blog: Talent Tea Leaves
Tom Lemanski helps accomplished leaders unlock potential, solve complex challenges, and amplify their impact.
Effective leadership is the key to driving meaningful, lasting success in a fast-changing world.
Tom’s focus on innovative strategies and self-awareness creates transformative results for leaders striving for the next level.
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