Why Are Many Talent Issues Intractable?

ByTips

Why Are Many Talent Issues Intractable?

Human performance presents singular challenges, as performance often involve molecular as well as psychological processes. Outside challenges can induce these molecular changes. The mind and body can slow or shut down regardless of an individual’s will. The two processes link individuals with two worlds— the MACRO WORLD (society and business), influenced by Law, Management, Finance, Technology and more; and the MICRO WORLD (mind and body), which is evaluated by Medicine and Psychiatry (which is broader than Psychology). Usually, the higher the level a person achieves, the more complex his or her worlds become.

In order to continue their journey, humans must have the tools to meet challenges and solve problems, all the while keeping mind and body working. However, mind, body, and tools can all be challenged. For example, the rules of the game can change. Such a change can impede the ability to remain competitive or even disable a person. The individual may be able to overcome the challenges with his or her existing and potential resources, but in the meantime, stress, setbacks or failure can shut down the person’s mind and body. Both mind and body must function well in order to persevere and succeed. Unfortunately, not everyone has every element in peak condition when it’s most important, and not every element can be improved quickly. For optimum results, it is better if you can anticipate the issues you may face and take the appropriate course of action.

Humans need different tools to leverage their intellectual and physical capabilities—tools that can be draw from the fields of Management, Law, Finance, Technology, Psychology, Medicine and others. There is no one tool that will solve every problem. However, many experts are eager to solve problems using their own tools. For example, some try to address every talent issue with Psychology, so many talent issues have become intractable, for example, how to handle setbacks and failures. Others may seek to alter molecular processes with medications and surgical devices; stress-related health issues have remained the greatest threat to productivity and life in high achievers, ranging from insomnia, GI issues, and obesity to heart disease. Many people overestimate the power of professional skills, unwilling or unable to understand that professional skill is insufficient to maximize their results and help them remain resilient in the face of adversity.

To be competitive as a leader and executive, an individual needs not only Ambition and EQ, but also the Vision to see beyond today, the Knowledge to understand and stay ahead of trends, and the Ability to leverage their resources and power wisely. They also must have the resilience to handle setbacks and failure and the energy to carry on. Every person is one integrated system of abilities, physical function, and relationships with the self and society. Every element must function well simultaneously to meet the challenges that arise at any time.

Leaders need another kind of expert to link the constantly evolving macro and micro worlds. It takes more than an understanding of mind and body, but an understanding of the tools currently at the individual’s disposal, their development potential, and the ability to anticipate potential issues. These experts know not only the impact of different challenges, but also the power of different tools, both micro and macro, which actions are the best or possible and which may be unlikely to produce results. These experts are called Human Capital Experts at The Prince Synergy– we evaluate and manage clients’ mind and body with tools from the fields of Medicine and Psychiatry. We combine this with tools from Business Management, Law, and other fields to analyze individual problem-solving skills, augmenting the analysis with inputs from the social, regulatory and technological ecosystems.

What can experts like ours offer that is unique? Let’s use “Level 5 Leadership” as an example. Jim Collins introduced the concept of “Level 5 Leadership = Humility + Will.” Most experts in Finance, Law, PR, Marketing, Technology and Medicine simply subscribe to mainstream opinions regarding leadership. Some experts in Management and Psychology have used EQ or the Behavioral Approach (psychological tools) to develop leadership. Human Capital experts examine an individual’s entire portfolio of attributes, including vision, resource utilization and resilience, instead of EQ and behavior alone. The Human Capital experts determine the existing needs, best approach to improvement and estimate the time and cost involved. EQ and behavior are often reflections of vision, ability and health, and, therefore, will change once the root issues change. It takes more than Behavior or EQ to build A Level 5 leader.

Although Management, Law, Finance, Technology, Medicine and Psychology offer important tools alone, there are still many issues beyond their reach since those issues often have many roots. If you have worked with professionals from other disciplines and still have issues to resolve, one of our Human Capital Experts may be able to help you. According to Niccolo Machiavelli, author of The Prince, “the lion does not defend himself from traps, and the fox does not defend himself from wolves. He (the prince) must, therefore, be a fox to recognize the traps, and a lion to awe the wolves. Those who simply stick with the methods of the lion do not understand this. This is an apt description of our “Whole System Approach.” Leaders need to target their issue(s) with the RIGHT TOOLs to create synergies and achieve fast results.

Right tools can not only solve problems fast, but also create synergies. How would the advantage impact Leadership and Competitiveness development?
* Anticipate issues and choose the best course of action.
* Address multiple issues simultaneously as many problems share the same root causes.
* Be resilient in the face of rapid change, setbacks and failure.
* Achieve more by leveraging the culture power of an institution or society.
* Make the “impossible” possible through the synergistic power of the micro and macro worlds..

Does the Whole System Approach involve sweeping change? No, we often identify the small changes that individuals need to make to achieve the maximum results. In reality, the less we change, the better those changes we make. In addition, we make learning as easy and enjoyable as possible. For these reasons, our clients are likely to begin seeing results in days to weeks instead of months or years. We recommend the best tools according to the individual’s unique needs and work with outside providers when necessary to provide specific types of training or education.

About the Author:

Bin Yang is the Managing Director of The Prince Synergy (www.theprincesynergy.com), a leading consulting firm that addresses the most challenging issues in leadership and competitiveness through the Integrated System Approach. The firm’s program helps clients get ahead and stay ahead by significantly enhancing their leadership skills and the competitive factors that help them succeed. For more information or to schedule an interview, lecture or appointment, please contact us at 310-668-1828.