Selecting, Retaining, and Developing 
Executive Leaders and Teams


May 2016

Leadership Tip 
 
  • Before deciding to call a meeting, decide on the labor cost of having participants attend. Then decide if the outcome will have at least a three-to-one return on investment. This is called "social overhead."
     
  • One of the critical derailers of a career is the lack of a network both within and outside your company. Schedule time weekly to meet with colleagues across departments. On a monthly basis attend at least one professional association meeting.
YOUR INNER VOICE -
FROM CRITIC TO ALLY 


 
 
"Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives." 
William James
 
A client woke up in the middle of the night with cold sweats and a never ending inner voice that said he was not doing enough. The inner voice that we all have can either enhance or detract our focus and attention. His "inner critic" would not leave him alone.

The next day during our coaching session he reported being exhausted and non-productive.
 
We all have different voices that can build us up or knock us down. These voices have their origin with parents, teachers, coaches, and friends. How their negative or positive comments become our positive and negative voices is still a mystery.
 
In my own life, when I was in elementary school, I was told that I had a "language deficit." I attended classes to overcome the so called "language deficit." Twenty years later, I remember writing my qualifying exams to complete my Ph.D. and that voice "you have a language deficit" was audibly loud.
 
Think about your own inner critic and when that voice becomes audible. Here are a few suggestions for turning your inner critic into your ally.
 
Reframe the "inner critic's" voice and motivation
 
Instead of seeing the critic as critical, see the critic coming from your source of motivation. Like mountain climbers, the critic is always pushing you to climb the next peak in your career. Hear the critic's voice as advice coming from someone you know cares about you.  See the "inner critic" as motivating. Listen to the critic's inspiration, not the words.
 
At the end of the day, identify three achievements that make you proud
 
Research shows that listing three actions that creates a sense of pride results in people being more content and productive. Before you go to bed, make a list of three actions, projects, tasks, or experiences you feel were meaningful accomplishments. Keep a file of all your accomplishments. Reviewing your accomplishments will quiet the inner critic.
 
Debate the "inner critic"
 
Your inner voices are your "board of advisors." When there is the critical voice, allow your "nurturing" voice to invite the critic to a debate. For example, when the critic says "you will always be a failure," find that voice that says "You are incorrect. I have been promoted three times, work for a fortune 500 company, have a wonderful family, and I am financially ok." Inner debate can be fun and when the "inner critic" is silenced, tremendous energy is released.
 
Author's Note: Being productive and successful requires tremendous energy. The inner critic "voice" will drain your energy. By using the suggestions above, your "inner critic" voice will have a lower decibel level, you will have more energy, and you will be more productive. Begin today. You will be pleasantly surprised.

BOOK REVIEW
"Everything Connects - How to Transform and Lead in the Age of Creativity, Innovation and Sustainability"  
by Faisal Hoque with Drak Baer 
 
The reason for this book review is the reality that the more technology we have, the less people seem to connect. We have so many devices and mediums to communicate that connecting with others is harder today than ever.
 
According to the authors, being "pro-social" which is an orientation towards others rather than yourself is one of the most pro-business things you can do. Being holistic and humanistic is key to doing great work.
 
The new path the authors recommend is seeing yourself as an entrepreneur. The definition they use is that "entrepreneurship is taking ownership of one's economic well-being." An entrepreneur is someone deeply engaged in his/her experience of life.
 
Here are the keystone principles to building better relationships by developing partnerships that contribute to acting like an entrepreneur.
  • Be honest to create trust and respect
  • Be direct and deliberate in all communications
  • Think ahead by surrounding yourself with forward thinking people
  • Inspire and influence growth in other people
  • Create a community by always extending your network to new people
  • Think long term by understanding your purpose
In summary, the reality is that with entrepreneurship that leads to innovation, the critical success principle is that "everything connects." For all business begins and ends with relationships. People make and drive business and success. Think about how you can better execute the pro-social behaviors that lead to making better connections and more productivity.

LEADERSHIP RESEARCH 

The Power of Emotional Intelligence

Staying on the theme of the importance of relationships, both between people and within, is the power of Emotional Intelligence.
 
In a study conducted by the U.S. Airforce, 82% of Para-rescue Jumper Trainees drop out. There are five Emotional Intelligence Factors associated with successfully completing training:
  • Flexibility
  • Optimism
  • Self-Regard
  • Reality Testing
  • Happiness
Trainees who score high in the above areas were 2-3 times more likely to complete the training. The estimated cost avoidance was $19 million.

COACH'S NOTE

In order to do your best work and contribute most to your company remember the follow these three suggestions:
 
  • Turn your critical inner voice into an ally
  • Reframe your self-image from being an employee to being an entrepreneur
  • Behave in an emotionally intelligent manner to help you be a front runner instead of part of the herd.
In This Issue
Solving People and Management Issues

The Heller Group focuses on coaching for senior level executives.  We facilitate change within an organization that results in more effective leadership,  increased productivity, innovative thinking, and improved employee morale and retention.

Learn more about The Heller Group, Inc. at hellergroupinc.com.
Dr. Bruce Heller

Dr. Bruce Heller, founder of The Heller Group, Inc., has over 20 years experience consulting with managers and executives on executive education, leadership development, and organizational.   

 

He is an adjunct professor at Southwestern Law School. 

 

Dr. Heller is a consulting psychologist and member of the American Psychological Association Consulting Psychology Division. Dr. Heller holds a Ph.D. and Masters Degree in Education from the University of Southern California.  

 

Dr. Heller is the author of The Prodigal Executive-How to Coach Executives Too Painful to Keep, Too Valuable to Fire.  

Read the book. 

 

The Heller Group, Inc. 
818-981-4310
Solving Management and People Challenges


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