Break Through Leadership Inertia & Status Quo

Written by Larry Fehd, CEO & Founder / HPS

Amazon.com offers more than 30,000 books on leadership. This suggests an abundance of (unique) perspectives or some serious redundancies. Although presumptive, I believe that many of these books are abundantly redundant. Ever wonder why there are so many books, articles, seminars and self-proclaimed gurus on leadership? Ever wonder why so many leaders – and those aspiring to become tomorrow’s top leaders – continue to search for the gold standard of leadership?

I have a theory about the gold standard of leadership. My theory is reinforced by a recent poll of CEOs conducted by McKinsey & Company. “Over 90% of CEOs are planning to increase their investment in leadership development because they view it as the single most important human-capital issue their organizations face.  Conversely, only 43% of these same CEOs are confident that their investments will bear fruit.” Why continue doing the same thing over and over when investments bear no fruit?

Lest we be reminded: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”  – Albert Einstein

Traditional leadership development methods – including many books, articles, seminars and self-proclaimed gurus – are based on an assumption that understanding will lead to change. Traditional methods focus on conceptual knowledge and telling learners how something is to be done in order to achieve a specific desired result. The problem with traditional methods is that understanding rarely translates into sustainable (behavioral) changes that are intended to improve leadership effectiveness and business results.

I am not suggesting that you abandon leadership training and development (e.g. substantive books, articles, seminars and guidance from competent professionals, etc.). I am suggesting that if you continue to do the same thing over and over, which may be redundant or repackaged methods from original sources, you are destined to remain at your current level of leadership effectiveness. Your employees, teams and organizations will never achieve their highest potential or optimal business results.

So, where do you go to take your leadership performance to an exemplary level?  How do you break out of the herd and through the inertia and status quo of traditional leadership?  The book, Strength-Based Leadership, is a savvy place to start. It outlines four research-based domains of leadership strength: executing, influencing, relationship building and strategic thinking. It will help you play more fully to your strengths, mitigate vulnerabilities and increase employee engagement throughout your organization.

Tips and Practical Applications: 

  • Engage a qualified executive coach who offers: 1) subject expertise and business acumen 2) truthful, constructive and objective feedback 3) executive-level experience, presence – and political savvy 4) behavioral and psychological insights and 5) a safe place for open and meaningful conversations. You consult a doctor or lawyer for their expertise and expect competent counsel in return for your investment. Don’t settle for anything less from your executive coach.
  • No one leads alone, we lead others who choose to follow our lead. Make time for meaningful conversations with those you lead and seek feedback about your leadership effectiveness.  Leadership is largely an act of invitation. An invitation to your employees, teams and organizations to achieve their highest potential. You must do your part to ignite that potential!
  • Breaking through leadership inertia and status quo requires courage, commitment and discipline. Lead with and engage both IQ and EQ (emotional intelligence). “Emotional intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence, it is not the triumph of head over heart – it is the unique intersection of both.”  – David Caruso

Ready to take your leadership, teams and organization performance to an exemplary-level?  We will work one-on-one with you to accelerate your ascent to Exemplary Leadership™ Learn More

About The HPS Solutions Model™: Simple (no more or less than required resources);Substantive (research-based, empirical evidence); Sustainable (enduring while avoiding flavor-of-the-month syndrome or a failed initiative).

The Art of Exemplary Leadership
The Rewards of World-Class Results™

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© Human Performance Strategies (HPS). All rights reserved.

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Optimizing Leadership, Team &
Organizational Performance


© Human Performance Strategies (HPS). All rights reserved.

Larry Fehd

Chief Executive Officer & Founder / HPS
Executive Leadership & Business Optimization Advisor

CONTACT:
M: (512) 415-0748
Email: lfehd@hp-strategies.com

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