We, at VIM Executive Coaching, have a simple question to ask of you. What will you do five years ago? It is not intended to be a trick question only a matter of an honest change of perspective.
Promises Made/Promises Kept
Far too often in our careers, especially when we are on a quest to be more effective or more striving executive leaders, we make all sorts of promises to our friends, families, selves that seem to fall short of expectation.
We can often blame that “change of plans” or “change of reaching objective” on all sorts of circumstances. And we’re not saying that some of life’s intrusions are invalid; certainly, there are factors we can’t avoid. However, there were many more factors we allow to get in the way of growth that were avoidable. Unfortunately, we are sometimes less than honest with ourselves and we justify a lack of growth, meaningful career or substandard leadership performance on all sorts of life circumstances that are neither relevant nor appropriate to the situation.
This past year serves as good example. “The pandemic” has been blamed for thousands of executive leadership catastrophes. Yet, we personally know – and have coached – many executive leaders who have absolutely thrived. The successes occurred despite industry, and went across the full spectrum of executives at all levels, education and credentials.
Is There a Secret?
There are no insider secrets in play, we assure you. Perhaps that is the most important point to be made in this discussion. VIM Executive Coaching does not promise its clients “Keys to the Kingdom,” nor is there are magic book or major insider mysteries to success! In fact, what we would suggest is quite the opposite: personal, hard work, being mindful, honest, open and authentic.
The journey that far too many want to take is often the most expedient. For example, several years ago, we could have almost predicted many would be leaders would be buying self-help leadership books, subscribing to leadership podcasts or occasionally attending seminars offered by leadership councils, only to give up and let their careers languish. The premise of all of those approaches is that the would-be executive leader is filled with information and will be transformed by it. It rarely works out that way.
Let’s face facts: the self-help book industry is a huge business. Executive libraries are filled with such books, be they physical or virtual. That’s the problem of course; the expedient journey is often a journey that causes no deep introspection, no fundamental or long-lasting change in outlook, no transformative ways in which a potential executive leader guides teams and individuals.
The approach we take at VIM Executive Coaching is that the most meaningful change, the most effective career tools and life-changing executive leadership approach are those that come from within.
We work with our clients one-on-one to bring about changes that endure. The changes don’t begin with a fancy set of books and a podcast series, but with helping our clients to become more mindful, more authentic and closer to their unique core.
If we go back to the title of this post, “What Will You Do 5 Years Ago?” you will see it was meant in full kindness and understanding. We understand that though you may have had the best of intentions in pursuing a path, you were side-tracked. We also understand that side-tracking easily comes about when we follow “other gurus and teachings,” rather than our unique hearts.
We would urge you to understand that positive change in the direction of mindfulness and authenticity can happen right here and now. Regardless of pandemic or re-opening, management changes or new market opportunities, you have it within you, to become the leader you have always wished to become.