Driving Improved Results – The Dance of Business

Can I share a professional development formula with you that points out why my work is so effective, results driven and long lasting?

(A) SK  +  G  =  PBC  –>  IR
v + b

Let’s go through this backwards. The IR is just like in my company name, Improved Results.  We all want improved results, both professional and personal.

Did you ever hear the quote “if you do the same things over and over and expect different results, then you’re insane”? So it makes sense that to get the improved results, you need a behavior change. BC is for behavior change. Of course, you want a positive behavior change, right? PBC

You walk around in a bubble. It contains all the behaviors that are easy, habitual, comfortable and convenient for you to do. In order to expand your comfort zone bubble to include a PBC, you set an intention to do something different. That becomes a goal (G).

SK stands for skills and knowledge. You’ve learned and practiced many different skills and have absorbed lots of knowledge. For instance, one skill you have is how to use the internet. But do you use it to procrastinate or to be productive? You know how to speak. You have that skill. Does that mean you aren’t anxious when you have to speak in front of 100’s of people?

The missing piece is the (A). It’s the multiplier of the whole formula (That’s why it’s in brackets.) (A) stands for attitudes, habits of thought, the mental recordings that play in our minds. It might be about procrastination and fear of speaking. Certainly we can have a positive or negative attitude, or an open or closed attitude, a small thinking or expansive attitude. These underlying attitudes sometimes sabotage our ability to be productive, grow, love, accept, improve our businesses, act like leaders, see big visions, recognize opportunities, handle change. But how are these attitudes formed?

If we go below the line in the formula, we see v+b. Our value and belief systems were imprinted on our unconscious minds as were growing up by our families, teachers, friends, cultural heritage and previous work experiences. Researchers say that 88% of our actions every day are done on autopilot. Did you ever get in your car to drive from point A to point B? You were thinking about something else, you arrive and you don’t even remember driving there? It’s like the car drove itself.

The coaching experience is one of asking you to become aware of those value and belief systems (v+b), choosing to change the ones that no longer serve you, filling in any gaps in your business skills and knowledge (SK), developing goals (G), and creating behavior change (PBC) through practice, application and feedback. The improved results (IR) are astounding and long lasting. It works for anyone who fully participates in the process.

In an organization it works like this:

Leadership with Execution

 As we talk about the things in the S and K columns, the things in the A column come up. We address them within the context of what’s important to you. We focus on goal setting (G column) and accomplishment (PBC). The ultimate rewards (IR) are a natural outgrowth of our work together. Coaching is about creating change, aiming for different and improved results. The only worthwhile change is long term change. Band-aids and quick fixes don’t produce return on investment. Good leadership is a habit. So is not-so-good leadership – which is why it takes time, practice, application, getting feedback, trying again, and having AHA! moments to change those old auto-pilot habits.

Remember the 6 step proprietary system I spoke about in the interview? It folds very naturally into this professional development formula.

1. Know yourself:  In depth self-knowledge and assessments.

2. Immersion in content to become open to new concepts.

3. Application of new ideas to current behaviors

4. Practice, feedback and reinforcement

5. Celebration, assess the improvements and lessons learned

6. Repeat with new still higher goals