by Doug Gray | Feb 10, 2012 | Business, change, Coaching, Employment, energy industry, Leadership, Managers, Meetings, Success
We asked both the Charlotte Chamber and the Charlotte Regional Partners to promote or contribute to the 2012 Energy Leadership Project. Not yet. Perhaps one day they will do so.
We believe that there cannot be enough conversations about what successful energy leaders are doing.
So we created the 2012 Energy Leadership Project. The purpose is to engage energy industry headers and share data immediately. At no cost.
Our partners to date include the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub at Packard Place, on 222 South Church Street. Invitations have been forwarded by Queen City Forward, Sustain Charlotte, YPE Charlotte (Young Professionals in Energy), plus hundreds of individual leaders.
We invite you to forward this blog, and invitation, to any of the 26,000 energy industry leaders in the Charlotte region. We welcome your input.
There are 10 questions on the survey at http://tinyurl.com/2012ELP. Some questions are open-ended. After 8 weeks online, 66people have opened the survey. 24 people have completed it. There are some 26,000 energy industry leaders in the Charlotte region. That is an itty-bitty sample size…
We encourage you to forward this blog post and invite others to contribute to the focus group, interview, or short survey. Click on http://tinyurl.com/2012ELP.
Here are results from one question:
What are the top 3 behavioral competencies of the best leaders at tour company? (select your top 3.)
- Great communicator 26%
- Maximizes the productivity of others 4%
- Shares an optimistic vision 4%
- Results oriented 9%
- Humble enough to attribute success to the team 13%
- Publicly recognizes the strengths of others 9%
- Creates trust 13%
- Expects to increase profitability 22%
FYI, these choices were selected from an extensive review of related surveys. Sample responses came from Booz Allen, the Center for Creative Leadership, McKinsey, the Gallup Organization, our expertise, and best practices in the energy industry.
So, how do you interpret this data?
by Doug Gray | Feb 8, 2012 | Business, change, Coaching, Financial Professionals, Leadership, Managers, Meetings, money, strengths, Success
Yesterday I had this scenario. A second meeting with a prospective client named “Mike.” Perhaps you have had a similar scenario…
Our first meeting was in his office, after a referral from a current client. I met his staff. I learned their needs. I clearly explained the value of coaching. He agreed to a sample session. We quickly determined his strengths. He summarized those strengths. He defined possible focus areas for coaching. He requested 4 days to discuss the coaching investment before our second meeting. I asked him, “What will be different in 4 days that will enable you to say yes at that time?” He had a slippery answer. Regardless, we agreed to meet by phone for the second meeting, at which time he would say yes/no or define a clear future/ next step.
Then, yesterday, we met by phone. He wanted me to “sell him on my services.” I demurred. I do not yet know the value of coaching to his small business. If he does some work, the value will be vast. He may increase his assets over $100K in fewer than 12 months. If he does not do the work, the value of coaching will be zero. He did not like that fact.
After a few attempts back to his agenda, I stated that I was not likely his coaching partner.
There is an energy between people. His behavioral energy was verbally competitive. He needed to win the arguments. So of course I let him “win.”
Rigidity kills relationships.
In fact, rigidity is the #1 career killer. There are many competencies that can hinder a career. Low empathy. Poor communication. Unclear expectations. Unwillingness to listen. Rigidity is the #1 career killer.
Think of someone you avoid. Are they rigid?
Now think of someone successful (however you define “success.”) Are they flexible?
One reason I love my work is because I get to select who I work with. I would much rather work with someone who is flexible, open to defining their future, than someone who is rigid.
A related example is the often quoted passage from Steve Jobs at Apple, that, “I am most proud of what we said “no” to at Apple.”
Throughout recorded history, which is only 650,000 years, the most successful people have focused on their goals. They/we have said “no” to distractions.
A coaching question for you may be, “Who do you need to say “no” to today?
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