I work in a lot of corporate as well as public sector settings and I am always amazed at the intellectual horsepower found among corporate executives, partners in professional services firms and SES leaders in the Federal Sector.  Unfortunately, this intellectual horsepower goes partially untapped because of one thing -  the lack of regular feedback.  This is certainly not true for all organizations yet in our experience it is for most.

Can you imagine the implication if guided missiles, satellites, GP-S’s, or your own body’s temperature gauge had no feedback mechanisms built in?  Bottom line, they would not work and in the case of the later the lack of a feedback mechanism would lead to death!  Now look at your organization and ask yourself -

• How effective are we at giving each other constructive feedback?
• If and when we do – what impact does it have on our performance and profitability?
• What, if anything, keeps us from having a more feedback rich culture (e.g. we are too polite to each other, we live in silos, etc.)?

Here are some common challenges that hinder an organization’s ability to improve performance through feedback: (more…)

Two of my favorite Albert Einstein Quotes are as follows:

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”

At first take – it does not appear these two quotes are related but they very much are!   For example, we are at a time of year when millions are inspired to set big goals both personally and professionally that they feel will lead them to a happier and more successful life experience.   Unfortunately, by the time February ends – many of our resolutions and the hope we felt will be a distant memory.   Why is this?  It is because the New Year generates a mood of hope in many.  It is an opportunity to make a fresh beginning!  Those making resolutions are tapping into this hope yet over days and weeks that follow the hope – we get hit by the tyrant of the urgent and our grand ideas shaped at the new year no longer seem “realistic”  in the face our “reality.” As Mr. Einstein says, insanity is doing the same thing over and over – expecting different results!

Now, I am all for setting goals and big ones!   In fact, as human beings we are quite goal directed and we accomplish many things effortlessly because of our unique gifts that others find amazing.  That being said, we do not apply the underlying principles that allow for success in one area of life in other areas where we are frustrated with!   One of these powers is our imagination.  Imagination is the foundation of vision, of great athletic accomplishment, and of great breakthroughs in our life and businesses. Most Goal Setting Approaches Do Not Take Into Account The True Human Powers That Allow Goal Setting to Be More Effective!

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