Positive Intelligence™: Overcoming Self-Sabotage and Building Powerful Habits for a (more) Positive Mind
“Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.” Voltaire (1694 – 1778) Leaders, We all self-sabotage from time to time, and it can be so automatic that we don't even realize it. However, when this rather destructive thinking continues, it causes us to flounder and draws us further into negativity and self-defeat. If at some point it hits you full force, the concept of Positive Intelligence™ might be helpful. I am delighted to introduce it to you. You will see that it is quite easy to reprogram your brains and strengthen our positivity. What is Positive Intelligence™? Positive Intelligence™ (PQ) describes how our mind acts in our best interest. In his book, “Positive Intelligence™: Why only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve their True Potential”, Shirzad Chamine explains that PQ is an indicator of the control you have over your own mind. The [...]
Beware of Emotional Vampires
Leaders, You do not need to be an expert in vampirism to know that there are people in your work and personal life who can suck the energy out of you. They are experts at pushing your buttons in many shapes or forms. It isn’t that they are intentionally mean to you, or are utterly evil; there is just something about them that rubs you the wrong way. At the very start, some radiant, seductive quality can distract you from the rest. For instance, psychopaths, like vampires, can be charming as hell. You easily laugh, swoon, and otherwise go weak in their presence. Until you realize that s/he robbed you of your power and drained your confidence. If you work with someone who makes you feel awful even when you have absolutely no idea why, you might be up against an emotional vampire: a person whose psych issue is couched [...]
Emotional Intelligence: Everything you always wanted to know about EQ
Leaders, We all have different personalities, different wants and needs, and different ways of showing our emotions. Navigating through this all takes awareness, tact and cleverness – especially as we want to succeed in our lives. This is where emotional intelligence becomes important. We probably all know people who are masters at managing their emotions. They are really good listeners, excellent decision makers and unflappable crisis managers who have the complete trust of their staff. No matter what kind of situation they are in, they always seem to know just what to say – and how to say it – so that no one gets offended or upset. They look at themselves honestly, and do not only have a great sense of who they are but are also able to sense the emotional needs of others. What is emotional intelligence (EQ)? Emotional intelligence is commonly defined by four attributes: [...]
Courage within us
Leaders, A friend, colleague and client of Inspired Executives has started a major transformation about a year ago. While it took her a while to make that tough decision, the insights and freedom she is gaining in her journey are invaluable and encouraging for others. This is Gesche’s story: “My best decisions have always been those that I have made intuitively. These are decisions that slowly grow almost subconsciously within me; it often takes weeks for them to surface into my awareness. At some point I realize that my path is clear; that I have already made my decision. This feels really good and relieving, but also always a bit scary, because I am always amazed (or should I say shocked?) at my own courage. I don't think I'm particularly brave, I'm more of an analytical person who carefully weighs alternatives, yet it is important to me to act in [...]
Creating a culture of confidence
Leaders, What do you consider the biggest threat to your organization to be? Wrestling with declining revenues? Struggling with intense global competition? Or battling against disruptive new technologies? How about fear? Fear has been spreading throughout organizations – negatively impacting morale, productivity, and the bottom-line. Living in fear is destructive for a team, and kills momentum. Fear drives people to shore up what they have rather than to go after what they want. During times of rapid change and uncertainty, anxiety levels go up, and the appetite for risk goes down. In fear-based environments, it's all about protecting the status quo. Yet, these are the exact times when bold action can reap the greatest rewards. Envision a better way, a better solution, a better product – and approach it with determination and an open mind. Most of us know “what to do” but not “how to” in challenging situations, when [...]
How comfortable are you in your discomfort zone?
Leaders, What would you do if there was no fear? Are you setting the stage for progress and confidence? Or are you playing it safe and waiting for the storm to pass? How present and ambitious are your goals? What is the risk of staying in your comfort zone? Are you focused on excellence? Do you want to be(come) leaders who want to leave their marks on the world or transform their organizations? Living in fear of failure and fear of the unknown has a destructive impact on the organization and kills momentum. Exhibiting leadership courage - whether it's having an uncomfortable conversation, communicating when you don't have all the answers, or making a decision to move ahead on a new project - can scare the heck out of you. “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” Vincent van Gogh (Dutch painter, 1853 – 1890) Excessive fear has sent [...]