The Executive Coach

Do you agree that despite best intentions, ‘stuff’ happens?

Our external environment, despite our best efforts is largely uncontrollable. While it is true that we can forecast different scenarios and attach probabilities, we can not control what gets done to us and our organizations.

The key in this environment is to be non-controlling, non-accusational and flexible. You and your team must accept that change is inevitable and that there will hopefully be more good than not. The one choice that you have complete control over is your attitude or your reaction to what happens to us. If your emotions and reactions are the only thing you can control – why do we so often ‘give them up’ by showing hatred, jealousy, anger or attaching blame?

Have you ever met people who seem upset at the world because of what has been ‘done’ to them? How do they affect people around them? What happens to everyone’s energy level around them? It becomes quickly evident to all of us that they carry around their past and that their attitudes cloud their judgment, which often leads to a predisposition to react in a very defensive or quickly aggressive manner. These individuals need to let go of the past and the feeling that things are being done to them as if there was some master plan to ‘get’ them.

Putting It Into Action:
Accept first that you have little influence on what happens to you and your organization from the external world. Next, anticipate a worst case, likely outcome and best case scenario and compute the impact. For each scenario, practice reactions to all three possibilities; reactions should consider the impact and reaction from all stakeholders affected. Practicing possible scenarios and how you will handle them will show that you are proactive, can anticipate the future and that you behave in a consistent, positive and empathetic manner. You and your organization will gain more trust as others see you with this positive, forward looking attitude.

With you along the path towards success,
Joseph

Do you want to stay current and add flexibility in your career?

If you want to ensure a long career where you hold the options, you must continuously exercise and grow your brain. Both your left side (logic) of your brain and your right side (creative) must be exposed to new situations, new approaches, and new viewpoints.

Every day you should read the business and another section of a major national newspaper such as The Globe and Mail or Wall Street Journal. Every week you should read at least one business and one other trade magazine. Every year you should attend several seminars, workshops and events that extend your knowledge and allow you to share best practices. Every two years, you should attend at least one multi day professional conference or training session in your field or industry that teaches you new skills. Every five years, you should complete a professional degree, designation, certification or diploma.

I am not trying to sound ‘preachy’, I just see first hand the positive affect that continuous learning has on our careers. Your mind is amazing and if you have the passion to learn, you will learn. Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Enterprises, is dyslexic and ADD, yet he taught himself how to fly and runs a phenomenally successful, multi-faceted global business.

Putting It Into Action:
By the end of this month, research continuous learning options at local colleges, universities and community centers. Look for ways to learn in class, on-line and also at your own pace; we all have preferred ways of learning, find out your most effective format. Ensure that most of your development enhances your right side of the brain, improving your creativity, context, interpersonal and empathy skills. By the end of next month, put together a two and five year plan with specific details and dates and hold yourself or appoint someone close to you accountable for making sure you stay on your plan. Next, make sure you champion continuous learning in your team and organization.

With you along the path towards success,
Joseph

Which side of your brain is in overdrive?

The left side of your brain is the logical, sequential, process driven and analytical side of your thinking. The right side of your brain provides context, empathy, synthesis and innovation. Both sides are necessary in business, but the left side is no longer sufficient and the right side is increasing in importance.

Most of the routine (left brain) work is being outsourced to the world’s lowest cost and sufficiently capable centers. This type of work is no longer a core competency or strategic imperative for most organizations. Accenture, the Information Technology Consulting giant, has 30,000 employees in the US and over 35,000 in India. Routine and sequential process work is increasingly performed easily by software and web applications. Don’t be frightened. You should feel liberated that your brain and your firm’s resources can be freed up to dream of new applications, new products and services and new uses for existing products and services.

Putting It Into Action:
Break down what you and your staff do and how much time you spend doing each task by keeping a diary for the week. Decide which of those activities are not strategic in nature. Next determine which of those non strategic activities can be better performed by an outsource partner or software application. Thereafter, determine what you can do instead of those tasks that have been off loaded. Put a dollar and intrinsic value on this new innovative work. Finally, if necessary, get buy in from your superiors and share your results to others in the organization.

With you along the path towards success,
Joseph