C-Suite Blind Spots & Illuminations – The Norm

Blind Spots – The Norm

Just about everywhere we turn, we are bombarded with the concept of the “new normal”. From The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The New York Times, to The Washington Post are asking is THIS the new normal? But what will the new normal be? How will the new normal affect us? How will the new normal impact business, consumer spending, earnings, shareholder values, travel, and the national debt? More questions than answers really, it’s endless.

For senior executives and government officials there has never been a more critical time to adapt, survive and thrive in the new normal. However, the true challenge may not be in the development of the strategy and tactics, but rather it may be in recognizing that one’s “inner norm” is a Blind Spot. A Blind Spot which determines the difference between surviving or thriving – short and long term!

Illumination

As senior executives engage their teams and themselves to move forward, there will be different types of outcomes. Positive outcomes such as innovation, motivation, inspiration, or negative outcomes such as arrogance and ignorance can lead to failure. The same traits that are measured and are rewarded such as ability, talent, innovation, intellectual horsepower, and fast decision-making skills, can lead to failure and loss when Blind Spots are not illuminated.

In this current state of uncertainty, developing strategies and tactics based on past “inner personal norms” may not be the path to success or thriving in the new normal. Senior executives and senior government officials need a quick “internal check of what Daniel Goleman of Harvard calls “emotional intelligence”. He describes “emotional intelligence” as a different kind of smart. Its not your IQ, it is how you manage your personal triggers and your relationships. He describes the four parts of the Emotional and Social Intelligence Model: Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. This internal check of Emotional Intelligence may require some executives to do a 180 internal assessment of themselves quickly and effectively; autopilot is no longer an option!

Personally, I experienced the importance of EQ with each of my world record attempts. For each, I was able to get to 85% of my goal through traditional training and preparation. However, to succeed, I needed to reflect inward and realize my shortcomings. I needed to seek out experts, communicate, listen, test, be open to new ideas; to talk about and accept some of my failures. Throughout this process, I recognized the strategy of just plowing through, which worked in the past, would not work to get me to success.

To effectively navigate through this new normal, successful executives first need to self-reflect, to strengthen their ability to lead. Once this is accomplished, the job is still not done. As true leaders during this unusual time, they will also need to:

• Surround themselves with diverse thinkers

• Seek out the facts

• Have faith in proven experts

• Be flexible

• Communicate with the executive team, employees, and stakeholders

• Respect the opinions of others

• Have the difficult conversations

• Never tolerate good enough in work or performance

• Avoid old habits

• Be sensitive to your team and your employees

• Be open to new opportunities for organic growth

It’s time for a new executive paradigm called humility. Humility will empower executives and government leaders to survive and thrive in their roles, ultimately leading the organization to a better and brighter place!