Strengthening Leadership Potential

Tim Elmore outlines the iceberg principle in Habitudes. Icebergs float with very little of the actual iceberg above water; only about 10% of it is visible. This leaves 90% submerged. He compares this to leadership, stating that only about 10% of leadership is the visible skill, while the remaining 90% constitutes character, which lies below the surface and can sink ships.

Studies suggest that the divorce rate is as much as 40% higher among executives who suffer from workaholism or a preoccupation with work (Family Law) compared to the general population. Many of the remaining marriages are unhealthy and merely holding on. This indicates that numerous executives’ families are struggling and not thriving due to a work-life imbalance. The Harvard Business Review reported the troubling finding that both men and women view the imbalance in work life as primarily the woman’s issue. However, this does not need to be the case for high-functioning executives.

Tim suggests that character is the sum of four things.

• Self-Discipline
• Core Values
• Sense of Identity
• Emotional Security

Parents, schools, friends, culture, and circumstances shape who we are. The culture surrounding our growth and development can lead to either minor or major shortcomings in the formation of our character.

Leadership counseling is the process of assisting successful leaders in navigating these four components to uncover their underlying character and identify areas ripe for growth and development. It can help these leaders achieve even greater success in business, at home, with peers, and ultimately in self-leadership. The picture Elmore uses is one of an airport. Someone sitting at a terminal with enough luggage to supply a family. They are faced with delays or the possibility of cancellation. The amount of luggage makes it nearly impossible to shift and find a new flight plan on the spur of the moment. The excess luggage significantly hinders this person. The seasoned traveler, however, has limited themselves to a carry-on. The lack of excess baggage allows them to be responsive to ever-changing circumstances. This is the goal of leadership counseling. We partner with you to work through the excess baggage that most of us are unaware we are even carrying.

Athletes have coaches, and world class athletes have mental coaches. These coaches work through their excess baggage, their self-perception, and their values to help lay aside the stress of performance and accomplish things that astonish the world. They do this by developing new levels of self-discipline in every area of their lives. They help in understanding their values and choosing ones that will endure the rigors of performance. They help them work through unconscious views they have of themselves that create a ceiling to both performance and joy in life. Lastly, they help them work through their excess baggage and find a level of emotional stability that is neither reactive nor emotionally absent. They find a place where the right emotion fuels their life with energy and passion. This type of leadership development is not limited to top athletes. It is available to anyone who wants to take the next significant step in leading themselves and those around them to a whole new level of passion and performance.

Being proud of what we’ve accomplished is an achievement. Being proud of who we are is truly liberating.

If you’re ready to discover this freedom in life and leadership, contact us for a complimentary consultation to explore how leadership counseling can provide a path toward a healthy, flourishing family and life, one that offers a foundation of strength and enjoyment.

Clint@simplifyatlanta.com