Email this page to a Colleague Unleashing Your Remarkable Potential In Kevin's Own Words Unleash It! On airplanes, in restaurants, in the newspaper and on television, I often hear people saying their businesses are not growing to their satisfaction or that they are not reaching their objectives. The explanations that follow consist of reasons like:
I could go on, and so could you. I think that is all a bunch of hogwash. People (both those doing the talking, and those they are talking about) are not all they can be. The organization is not all it can be. Both have tremendous untapped potential sitting there, waiting to be recognized and tapped. Both have potential waiting to be unleashed. Dictionary.com defines potential as “the inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being, or something possessing the capacity for growth or development.” When we point to others and other factors as the cause to our problems (in business or any part of our life) we are missing the point. We hold many of the answers ourselves. Maybe not in this moment, but when we unleash our potential, we unleash talents, skills, perspectives and ideas that can help us solve the problems we face and (as no small side benefit) become more fulfilled in our lives. Simply stated, as caretakers of our own lives we are cheating ourselves if we don’t do everything we can to unleash our potential – that innate ability within us waiting to be developed. As leaders in organizations, our responsibility for unleashing potential is at least as great as it is for us personally. We are responsible for results, for meeting the needs of Customers, for helping and empowering people, and for generally doing the good things our organizations exist to do. If we aren’t helping those around us unleash their potential, are we really doing our job? You know the answer. So the question isn’t, are we doing all we can to unleash the tremendous potential that exists, but how do we do that? In very short form here are some of the key steps you can take to begin unleashing your potential or the potential in others. As you read these steps, think about it in both ways – both from the perspective of helping others and of helping yourself. 1. Believe. Tug McGraw, pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies said throughout an improbable run to a World Series Championship, “Ya Gotta Believe!” An entire team, and an entire city did, and the team went further and accomplished more that they initially believed they could. Tug helped than team unleash their potential, because he believed, and helped others believe too. If you don’t believe your team has the ability to achieve or accomplish more, how likely are those accomplishments to occur. 2. Recognize. You can believe the potential is there and you can start by doing that on faith, but then you have to recognize exactly what is there. The specific mix of potentials that I possess is different than yours. The mix is different for everyone. Recognition helps us target the ways we can stretch and gives us clues about what to do in the steps that follow. 3. Expect. There are all sorts of studies that deal with expectation and how powerful it is. Want to do just one thing to help a team you work with improve? Really expect improvement. Let the team know that you have a positive expectation, based on your belief in them and the skills they possess. Act on this belief and this expectation. Let your behavior prove your words. You will be amazed at the change you will see, almost overnight. If we know this to be true with our expectations of others, while you are at it why not raise your expectations of yourself too? 4. Plan. You need a plan. Once you see potential and have higher expectations for it, you need a plan to help unleash that potential. That plan might include study, a mentor, courses, books, new habits, changes in environment and many other things. You will be able to build your plan based on your specific situation. Use this step to help others tailor a plan for themselves too. 5. Invest. You have to invest in the plan. The plan isn’t enough. You must take action. Putting your plan into action requires investments in discipline, time and perhaps money. You can’t unleash potential without some investment. 6. Effort. Sustained effort is required. Notice I said effort, not work. If you are moving towards your unique innate potentials it won’t always be work, but it will take effort. You’ve heard it said “there is no free lunch.” It is true for your potential. Yes the potential is inside you, but it takes effort to bring it out. You might ask is it worth it? Well, what is it worth to raise your self confidence? What is it worth to raise your skills? What is it worth to meet your objectives and goals? What is it worth to feel more fulfilled in your life? What is it worth to be happier? What is it worth to have greater earning potential? Continually moving towards your potential will give you all these things. My guess is it is worth the effort. 7. Patience. Sometimes you will make fast gains, other times the advancement may seem slow. Be patient. Be persistent. You are worth the wait. Help others and be patient with them. They are worth the wait as well. 8. New Targets. The master violinist, Jascha Heifetz said, "There is no top. There are always further heights to reach." So it is with our potential. Each of us (and each organization) is brimming with potential. When you recognize some potential skill or talent and master it, the pool will still be full. When you have made the gains identified in your plan, go back to step one and with the great excitement of knowing that this process works, begin again. This isn’t a topic that can be covered in one article. There are many facets to potential, both for us as individuals and for unleashing the potential in those around us. This newsletter is meant to explore these concepts, week by week, in new, exciting, and illuminating ways. We will talk about potential as a concept, but get also into details and “how-tos” on tapping all portions of the potentials that exist within us. We’ll discuss:
Right now, don’t worry about future articles you’ll read – there is plenty to do right now! I encourage you to do at least three things with the information I have shared with you today. Think about the steps laid out above, and start believing in your own amazing potential. Begin to recognize your unique set of potentials. Share this article with others you know who would benefit from these ideas. Yours in Learning, Kevin You Ask...Kevin Answers
Thanks for being brave and asking that question! There are many people across all sorts of professions that have this question, but they are afraid to ask (or don’t know who to ask). The short answer is that how a consultant acts depends on many things. One role a consultant can play is likely the one you already play well – that of “a pair of hands”. As a “pair of hands” consultant you do the work. Many people see themselves in this role, and while it is a valid role for a consultant it is a limited way to use your expertise and knowledge in an organization. There are a variety of other roles a consultant can play to have greater influence and to leverage their expertise throughout the organization. My guess is that your manager sees you as highly skilled and wants you to see yourself (and therefore act) as an influencer, not just a person who implements technology. I hope this very short answer helps in some way Charles. For more information, check out the next section of the newsletter … KevinKevin Recommends
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We will be using these top five and more, plus the other feedback we have received to build our calendar of content. It is our goal to deliver useful, meaningful and practical content to you and this feedback helps use prioritize. We also learned which of the features in the first issue you liked the best (my article coming out on top, thank you!) and will use that information as we continue to mold this newsletter. The most gratifying thing we learned is that 94% of you would recommend this resource to others. I would be thrilled and honored if you would do that. If fact, the next item will help you make those recommendations. Another Perspective The One and Only ME! by Dr. Philip E. Humbert This week, I read Scott Berg's delightful biography of Katharine Hepburn. The book, like her life, is vibrant and fun, beautifully written and thoroughly delightful. And troubling. From the very first page, one gets the sense of Kate's unique personality. Of all the things she did (and she did remarkable things) and for all her remarkable beauty, and for all her talent, the real key to her achievements was that she knew herself and was willing to share. I am struck by how many of us don't know who we are, or if we know, are too often afraid to let the world see us in all our remarkable glory. This is not necessarily a plea for more introspection or meditation. It is a plea for more individuality and courage! We live in a world of too much same-ness, too much political correctness, and too few risk-takers. Yes, I know one of our mantras is to push the boundaries and try new things. At one level we are in love with change, often just for the shock value of it. This week, I turned the television on and a beautiful young woman was singing and dancing in an elaborate show with fireworks, back-up singers, and all the trimmings. Now, I admit I don't follow pop culture, but I had NO IDEA who she was! I guessed Britney Spears, then a couple of other names I've heard, but was told they were all wrong. I never did figure out who she was. While her skimpy costume and enormous energy certainly got my attention, what I noticed was that I couldn't tell her from a handful of other contemporary artists. In their attempt to seize the stage and out-do each other, there is a certain same-ness, a certain anonymity to all of them. My point is that Katharine Hepburn stood out. She had opinions, many of them strong and many of them unusual. The "great ones" have always been willing to stand out. Lucille Ball with her flaming red hair. Carol Burnett with her prat-falls and willingness to take a risk. Barbra Streisand with her remarkable sound and strong political opinions. John Kennedy with his youthful energy and determination. Bill Gates, at age 22 dreaming of a world of connected computers, and Oprah Winfrey with her vision that television could be both entertaining and educational. Too often we "hide our light under a basket". We hold ourselves back for fear of offending. We pull back from the brink, we refuse to "rock the boat", or ask hard questions, or take a stand for unpopular positions. Even our politicians look remarkably alike! With their suits and ties, nice haircuts and youthful good looks, can you really tell a European from an American, from an Australian? A couple of years ago, the kid next door dyed his hair blue and I liked it! Not that I really "liked" it, but at age 15, I thought he SHOULD dye his hair blue! At that age, better he should have blue hair than be experimenting with some of the alternatives. To create the life you really want and have the vitality and passion that makes life truly worth living, we must take more risks. We have to risk being "politically incorrect" and make more mistakes. We have to invest in more whacky ideas, express stronger opinions, and let the world know who we truly are. For all her talent and beauty, the genius of Katharine Hepburn was in her unique personality, her defiance of tradition, and her outspoken frankness. By Dr. Philip E. Humbert. Be sure to visit his website for hundreds of articles like this one, plus free tools, tips and techniques for your success. And sign up for his weekly newsletter - it's one of the best! It's all at: http://www.PhilipHumbert.com. If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend. You can forward them the email or go to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/uypw/tell.asp to use our Tell A Friend tool. If you received a forwarded copy of this newsletter and would like to subscribe for yourself, go to: http://www.kevineikenberry.com/uypw/subscribe.asp. Unleashing Your Remarkable Potential is sent to anyone who requests it, but we don’t want to force it on anyone! To unsubscribe, go to: http://www.kevineikenberry.com/uypw/manage.asp. Have some feedback, comments or a success story for Kevin? Send him an email to: Kevin@KevinEikenberry.com. Want to send Kevin a question for a future issue? Go to: http://kevineikenberry.com/uypw/your_questions.asp. For information on reprinting any of this information included in this issue of Unleashing Your Remarkable Potential, go to: http://kevineikenberry.com/speaking/reprints.asp © 2004 The Kevin Eikenberry Group – All Rights Reserved The Kevin Eikenberry Group 7035 Bluffridge Way |