The second part of the book, The Confident Leader by Larina Kase comprises 10 chapters under the heading of How Confident Leaders Turn Problems into Dynamic Opportunities. Since it is likely that you have your fair share – or even more than your fair share – of problems, being able to turn a (significant) portion of them into opportunities seems a great thing to be able to do.

Let’s look at the first couple.

Focus on what’s Important

The first step in getting focused is to find what Kase calls your “Big It”, or what’s most important. This may seem obvious, but it’s not always apparent. An important – and seemingly silly – question is for whom is it important. Kase introduces the idea of the “Inner Committee’, which probably comprises all the people who have ever had an influence on your life. She asks: Do you want to do it, or is someone inside your head saying you ought to do it.

She suggests an interesting definition of ‘true success’, which comprises achievement, significance, legacy and satisfaction

When you work from withing your comfort zone, you tend to set only safe goals. Why not go for big, challenging ones?

Keep your Energy Flowing

Peak performers in business, sports, relationships and life share several characteristics. The two most important qualities are:

  • Knowing how to regulate their energy
  • Focusing on results

Visioning – the mental rehearsal of achievement – has shown to be nearly as effective as real life practice with Olympic athletes. Visioning a business performance includes:

  • Be clear about your objectives
  • Be clear about the process
  • Use your five senses
  • Connect your image to your mission

Some people are addicted to activities. The difference between workaholics and peak performers is that workaholics seek out activities, whereas peak performers seek out results.

She talks about the need to link your thoughts with your behaviors to modulate your energy. You may remember that this idea was central to an earlier Book of the Month called Performance Intelligence.

More next posting.

Bob