Success: Help or Hindrance?
Successful leaders commonly share three beliefs. These beliefs have contributed to their past successes and will likely contribute positively to their future.
(Goldsmith, Coffey, Wagner, 2021 The Coaches Play Book).
However, this mindset can also sometimes hinder continued achievements.
In my coaching and consulting work with leaders, part of my role is recognizing how these beliefs are at play — both positively and negatively.
The Stakeholder Centered Coaching® process is designed specifically with these attributes in mind.
As you consider each belief, think about how it has contributed to or detracted from your success.
Belief 1: I Am Successful
Leadership is challenging work and it takes courage to take risks in the face of incomplete information and unpredictable circumstances.
This belief can be a positive attribute, guiding a leader to act even with imperfect information.
A downside of this mindset is over-rating one’s own performance and only being open to feedback that validates one’s self-image.
Successful leaders who are seeking to become even more effective can utilize this belief to fuel their personal leadership growth. This belief can be a driving force to accelerate their personal growth.
Leaders are well-served “to seek out, or at least hear, input from those who may be their best sources of constructive data.” (Wagner, Coffey & Goldsmith, 2021- The Coaches Play Book)
Stakeholder-centered coaching systematically taps into the observations of those closest to the leader. These stakeholders are invited to be a mirror for the leader. They are in the best position to notice as well as benefit from the leaders’ improved effectiveness.
Belief 2: I Choose to Succeed
Another mindset held by successful leaders is: I choose to succeed.
A strong sense of ownership and commitment are the positive sides of this personal belief.
A downside is when this belief leads one to “rely on their own opinions, viewpoints, and observations to a fault” and disregard other points of view.
Once a leader commits to an area for improvement, this mindset of “choosing to succeed” can drive a leader to work diligently to become even more effective.
Belief 3: I Will Succeed
Whereas the first belief deals with the past and the second with the present, this third one deals with the future. (Goldsmith, Coffey, Wagner, 2021).
This mindset helps a leader remain steadfast and optimistic.
Successful people are not content resting on their laurels. They do not give up easily even in the face of adversity.
This belief can also have pitfalls such as overcommitting to too many things and needing to win at all costs.
These three beliefs of highly successful leaders contribute to future accomplishments, including when they seek to personally become even more successful and effective.
The Stakeholder-Centered Coaching approach masterfully builds on these beliefs and seeks to capitalize on the upsides while remaining mindful of minimizing the dark sides of these same beliefs.
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Kathy Letendre, President and Founder of Letendre & Associates, advises organizations and leaders to create their excellence advantage.
Contact Kathy by phone or text at 802-779-4315 or via email.