adc's of leadership

The Art & Discipline of Vision Integration

A Model for Self-Awareness & Unique Purpose

By Jeff Balin, MBA, CPCCFeb. 13, 2014

So, lets 1) Lets define what me mean by Purpose.2) Lets examine the importance of communicating it, as best we can.3) Lets look at a simple model that may help people cultivate their goals, as opposed to merely reaching them.4) And finally, lets look at how the Eportfolio facilitates and reinforces this entire process.

I really dont want to over-promise here, so maybe a more accurate title for the next 5 minutes would be . . .

Dont be a secret!

Leadership & Career Development

100+ LT Clients 2500+ Hours20+ TeamsCompany size: from $7K to $7B100s of B-school studentsThe Research

My background: work with early-stage entrepreneurs and visionary leaders those who are often in the incubation stage of bringing ideas and new organizations to the next level. Give background to what I noticed working among clients and top leaders in companies AND in career exploration.

WHAT IS PURPOSE?

Purpose = function

But first, since the title of my session refers to Unique Purpose. Let me manage expectations here.

Who are we is perhaps the most important and most difficult question we can face.

I am certainly not qualified to speak of purpose in the grand scheme of things. So I like to view it as Function, like the function of a can-opener is . . . to open cans! Its our natural function and there seems to be plenty of octane in that! Why? When we unlock so to speak our purpose, or function, it is no longer about opening just one, can; we want to find as many cans as we can . . . (NEXT SLIDE)

WHAT IS PURPOSE? Purpose = Passion!

When our work is aligned to our Purpose or our Function there are countless synergies and benefits for ourselves and our employers. ASK: What are some of those?

Passionate People

=

Profitable Company

Theres also a rather compelling and more grounded benefit for students to uncover and communicate their passion . . .

Source: *CNN MoneyA 2009 study by Gallup found that companies in the top decile for employee engagement boosted earnings per share at nearly four times the rate of companies with lower scores.

Passionate People

=

Hired People

"What really appealed to me about him were two things that are important anywhere (and particularly at Pulse energy) were his passion for what he does and also what we do as a company. And also his perseverance." . . . "When he first applied, we weren't hiring for anyone in his position. But he tried again... and he was there... and when we needed someone, we turned to him first That was really important for us." -- Hiring Manager at Pulse Energy

#1 Question asked in interviews?

Tell me about yourself.

Its not just for interviews it is THE question.

I intuitively knew this. I can anecdotally support it. But fortunately, many sources, including US News and World Report concur.

Ask the room: Tell me about yourself?If flat, Tell me about your Unique Purpose/Ability/Passion?Make a comment about the Courage to share and ask what the impact/effect is of communicating it to the room?Increasing your Awareness (articulation) of Tell me about yourself, and communicating in a Disciplined and Courageous manner is, what I have observed to be, the most efficient means of seeking, finding and hitting the target. NEXT SLIDE

To be able to answer this question well, also provides the framework or Context-Action-Result for responding to a host of other frequently asked interview questions.

Communicating Purpose/Function/Interest/Passion

Its an issue. Not enough students do this.

Most students play it very safe so few students make the effort to show even a trace of their true passion. When a student does, it really stands out from the lineup.

Main message to students: Dont be a secret!10

Communicating Purpose/Function/Interest/Passion

This is a typical job posting. Youre competing with a good cluster of applications, many of which are not in contention, but enough that are.

11

ResumesOn the JobCover LettersInterviewsNetworkingE-PortfoliosCommunicating Purpose/Function/Interest/Passion

12

Your job search is all about the STORY you are telling.

The story of targets on a trees

Cultivating the Target

The story of targets on a trees


Communicating Passion

I know life is never quite as neat and tidy as a model, so what this model excludes is sparks of inspiration and synchronicity. However, this is particularly helpful when that spark has already occurred on any level and one wants to bring it more into the world, perhaps even their work!

AWARENESSCultivating the Target


DISCIPLINEAWARENESSCultivating the Target


DISCIPLINECOURAGEAWARENESSCultivating the Target


AWARENESSWHAT YOU KNOWLearning more about yourself and opportunitiesCultivating the Target


You cant just copy someone; you have to put your personality, skills and dreams into it.

DISCIPLINE

WHAT YOU DOAllocating time consistently to the processCultivating the Target


COURAGE

WHAT YOU OVERCOMEMoving beyond fears and assumptionsCultivating the Target


Endure discomfort = Patience. Fear. Unpopularity. Called-crazy. Hard-work. Confusion. Vulnerability. etc

DISCIPLINECOURAGEAWARENESSCultivating the Target


DISCIPLINECOURAGEAWARENESSCommunicating PassionCultivating the Target

Notice the integration level on the left.

AWARENESSDISCIPLINECOURAGE

Communicating PassionCultivating the Target

Remember, I spoke about observing where people get stuck in integrating their Communicating Passion. . . Here are some scenarios.













This is not where you want to be as a leader. If youre content with this state, its probably time to step down.



This is what responsible caretakers of the vision aspire will not rest with anything less.


Next Actions:Communicating Passion:

This is what responsible caretakers of Personal Brand aspire will not rest with anything less.

DISCIPLINECOURAGE

AWARENESS Communicating Passion Cultivating the Target

Use it as an ongoing navigational adjustment system to stay on-track. Staying on-track is really the key to successful integration, and success in general.

DISCIPLINECOURAGE

AWARENESSCommunicating PassionTACTICS:Ask others to describe your UVTake personal assessmentsArrange information interviewsResearch field, companies, etc.Trial and errorCultivating the Target


DISCIPLINECOURAGE

AWARENESSCommunicating PassionTACTICS:Refine Resume, cover-letter, linked-inVolunteer for organizations and eventsSeek LT & ST learning opportunitiesImprove physical and informational environmentsAlign with relevant networks of people



DISCIPLINECOURAGE

AWARENESSCommunicating PassionTACTICS:TransparencyConnect with others whove been thereWilling to be called crazyWilling to walk away (Have a BATNA)Get out there!



Assess levels of ADC to determine which area needs cultivatingIdentify actions to cultivate ADC.Monitor and re-assess over time.


E-Portfolio!

Communicating Passion Integration

There is no end to this project. This is a long-term project and can be a battle, so we need as many reminders as we can get.

QUESTIONS?

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