The hero’s journey is a map that can guide us as we negotiate our way through life and all it’s challenges and opportunities for growth.  It is the universal story of human development and if it didn’t work so well, we wouldn’t have a film industry, tv or best selling books.  What’s more for many of us that’s the only medium through which we learn about the hero’s journey, as a passive construct, rather than understanding it in a practical and personal context.

I’ve been working with and teaching the hero’s journey for many years now and I’ve been persuaded (ok it didn’t take much), by Chris Cooper of Be More Achieve More to share more of what I know with his clients on a teleseminar on the 27th July.  So you’re also invited too.  

During the call I’ll be answering questions like:-

- What is the Heroes Journey?

- How can it help us in a personal and a business context?

- What are the signs we’re resisting taking the journey and what are the implications?

 - What resources do we have access to that can help us through our journey?

 Plus there will be time for you to ask me your questions.

I’m currently teaching several coaches to use this in their work, here’s what one of them recently sent to me after her last coaching session “Just wanted to say a huge thank you , you are simply amazing and I can’t thank you enough for the insight you have given me.” 

 I do know what a difference understanding the hero’s journey has on life and so I hope you’ll join Chris and I on the 27th July at 8pm.  To register fill in the form below

Jester seeks Creator to get right outside the box

Damsel in distress seeks knight, must have own horse.

The examples at the beginning may seem like strange lonely heart ads, but they’re universal patterns that we function around.

Take great movies like ET, Harry Potter, Pretty Woman, Cinderella, and those up for Oscars this year like Avatar.  Each is so powerful and successful because the characters embody a clear archetype and the story line is one we’re familiar with.  King Arthur needs his Merlin for Camelot to be healthy

An Archetype then is a root word that encodes a complete pattern.  If I said his leadership style is little Hitler you know exactly what I mean.

A picture may paint a thousand words, but archetypes convey everything in the word.  Archetypes carry the seed and energy in a universal language.  What’s so powerful is that you respond at a deep unconscious level and either the archetype draws you in or you pull away quickly.

Within business we’re also running our personal archetypal patterns.

The thing about archetypes is that over time we develop our favourites, and we have those that we out and out reject.  Yet all have their place and purpose.  I remember when I first worked with my archetypes.  My destroyer had in the past done just that, destroyed, so when I really needed to let go of things that no longer served a purpose I didn’t, I hung on, and hung on, and then experienced situations where ‘the baby went out with the bath water’.  My experiences with that archetype hadn’t been pleasant, so when it was required, it ran me rather than me using it.  Not good, and even less so as a leader.  We can do all the Emotional Intelligence stuff in the world, but trust me when I say that Archetypes run much deeper, so if you haven’t got a handle on them then you can only go so far.  Now of course things are different, I can sense when the destroyer is required, so I pay attention, what do I need to let go of  – it could be something physical, like a good office tidy up, it could be mental, like a belief, it could be emotional, maybe I’m not being true to how I feel and I’ve been ignoring myself.  When I know what it is I can work with it, and the destroyer is an Allie.  I also appear way more Emotionally Intelligent – and I am, because I’m paying attention to signals from the core of who am I.

Archetypes then are free powerful resources with a specific purpose, if you’re not aware of them, then they run you, when you are aware of them then you can use them.

As a leader your success – and ability to run a productive business with a  highly engaged workforce – is determined by your level of self awareness.  If you’re ready to take huge leaps forward then join me in April where I’ll be helping 12 leaders understand their archetypal patterns, access these phenomenally powerful resources and use them productively.  You can find more information here on our Archetypal leadership development course or contact us to secure your place.

There are however more things I do during December and January.  They’re simple, practical and also contribute to my success.  3 of which I’ve put into a complimentary ebook for you.  Well OK ebook might imply vast swathes of reading, think more ebooklet.  To get your complimentary copy right now just fill in your details below.   We’ll also sign you up to our monthly ezine so you get the next installment I’ll share with my clients in January.

Once you’ve signed up check your inbox (or spam folder) for a subscription confirmation message, say yes and the ebooklet should be with you in the next few minutes.

Merry Christmas and of course an abundant and prosperous 2010.

“The performance of Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures of 2009, in terms of three-year compounded annual revenue growth, has significantly outpaced the S&P/ TSX by an average of over 300% –or three times,” says Marty Parker, managing director of Waterstone Human Capital, a Toronto-based executive search and human capital consulting firm that has been running the program since 2005. The TSX/S&P compound annual growth rate from December 2005 to December 2008 was 3.8%; for the same period, the CAGR for Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures of 2009 was 12%.

“This proves that an outstanding corporate culture has a significant impact on performance, and that culture is an incredibly valuable asset,” says Mr. Parker.

A wide range of organizations made this year’s list, including: Telus Corp.; Fairmont Hotels and Resorts; industrial supplier Acklands-Grainger Inc.; human resource solutions provider Ceridian Canada;  and coffee retailer Starbucks Coffee Canada.

“This year’s data reflects the market correction of 2008,” says Mr. Parker. “What this tells us is that if an organization’s culture is strong, even with a major downturn, it outperforms “Our Canada’s 10 reflects these findings,” says Mr. Parker. “The reason these organizations are outperforming is because of phenomenal leadership and because of the commitment — from the top — to aligning corporate culture. These leaders are focused on behaviour. And behaviour drives results.”

Results of the 2009 Canadian Corporate Culture Study show that 88% of respondents believe their current leadership has led to the evolution of their organization’s corporate culture. In addition, 82% of respondents said that “leading by example” is a key strategy used to align culture. Furthermore, when it comes to hiring, 75% of executives surveyed said that cultural fit is more important than necessary skills.

This happened to be one of the questions I asked a client recently.  The answer wasn’t anywhere near 100% or all of me.  So we explored the bit that didn’t come to work and why.

Years ago a colleague I worked with handed in her notice.  The boss was surprised and really wanted her to stay “why are you going?” he asked “because I have a PhD, and every day I arrive at work and leave my brains in the car park.  I won’t do that to myself anymore.”  He wanted to know what changes they needed to make so she could use her brains.  She pointed out that leaving them in the car was a safety precaution so she could remain sane working for this particular organisation.

From a  different perspective many people put on their work clothes as if it were some kind of armour behind which certain traits can hide.  In some instances people pretend to be something they’re not.  Often the underlying fear is that if they showed their true self that people won’t like them.  Have the confidence to be yourself, knowing that then the people who do like you, like the real you ,and you’re not deceiving anyone anymore, least of all yourself.

I think this sums it up nicely.

“When you stand in that sliver of space that is completely and utterly YOU, then you will be truly magnificent, wonderful and abundant” Joseph Riggio

You’ve no doubt heard people say “act as if”, or ” you have to be it before you can receive it”.  We see this commonly in the workplace when people are doing a role before they get the promotion.

Self esteem, self confidence, results, success, resilience, adaptability are all tied up to self image / identity.

Any time you say “i am…” you’re making a statement about your identity.

Now most of us talk a lot but don’t really pay 100% attention to what we’re saying.   Your identity is unconsciously running you.

This autumn you can change all that.  You could decide you’re going to understand the power of self image and identity, and work on making sure yours is working for you, not against you.  Join me on my 8 week study group, we’re doing this by phone so it’s really easy to join in.  You can get the full details here.

Every year, season and day is an opportunity full of new beginnings, potential and promise; or doom and gloom depending on what you choose to pay attention to.

Right now it is sad that companies are going into receivership, even sadder for the people who are facing uncertainty or job loss.  Yet for the leadership of each and every one of these companies, the state of their business can’t have been a complete surprise.  I think it is fair to say we’re in times of extremes, for every company that goes under there’s one that’s having its best year yet.  I truly hope you’re going to be in the latter category.

Now each year as I decide my goals, yes decision is an important factor in making them happen, I also make notes which will provide support or inspiration as I undertake the growth required to hit the goal.  Let me share with you a few notes I’ve re-written in my journal.  No they’re not new to me, in fact I share them frequently with my clients, but they’re so powerful and fundamental to success that on those days when everything seems to be going pear shaped, this is a very fast way of me getting back on track.

1) Your thoughts will determine your actions.

2) Your actions repeated become your habits.

3) Your habits determine your results.

4) If you don’t want to get the same results you’re going to have to change your habits.

Now the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.  So if I keep all the same habits I’m going to get the same results, if I don’t like these results then it’s logical to suppose insanity is the next step.

So when I want to get back on track quickly I pay attention to my thoughts.

What are you paying attention to, who’s voice are you listening to, who’s opinions are you mulling over?

All of this gives rise to thoughts, although in some cases we’re so busy we forget to think and just blindly accept, especially if the source is one of authority.

As a leader you set the tone.  Are the conversations the same you’ve been having for a while, has a habit of moaning, complaining, or expecting the worst set in amongst staff?

If things are really bad, if cash flow is poor, if customer retention is down, it’s a statement of the current position, which has arisen through previous thoughts, actions and habits.  It isn’t a guaranteed statement of the future, unless of course you keep everything the same.

Lastly may I wish you a dose of Good Luck

Here’s the recipe:-

1) Create and notice opportunities

2) Make decisions based on your intuition

3) Create self fulfilling prophesies through positive expectation

4) Have a resilient attitude

There is still time to have a phenomenal year.

What are your talents, gifts and if you’re really not sure you have any of them, what are your strengths?

Do you acknowledge these in yourself and to yourself?

To what extent do you believe in yourself?

Most of us do fail to recognise our talents enough and then if we do we act modestly about them.  Actually the classic sign of lacking self belief is when someone compliments you and you reject it “oh no I’m not really that good / well it was alright but I didn’t do a/b/c”.  When did you last accept the compliment and just say “thank you”.  You don’t even have to bask in the feel good factor of a compliment if you don’t want.  Just stop yourself from slapping the giver in the face (metaphorically speaking) and telling them their judgement is not up to much.  Plus every time you do this you re-enforce out loud the fact you don’t believe in yourself and if you don’t why should anyone else.  Fortunately they often do, but after a while if you persist then they’ll stop, or at least stop re-enforcing their belief in you and the possibility to achieve more success than you perhaps first thought possible.

Don’t let your talent go to waste.

It works – I used to live in Yorkshire, where there are sheep on the loose, snow drifts to contend with, aside from other cars on the road.  And so far I’ve always managed to find a space the size of my car to ‘park’ in.

Now in the conversations I have with my clients there is one that looks a bit like this..

Client “This is what I don’t want to happen…. and I’ve been thinking about how I make sure it doesn’t happen….”

Me “Do you know what you do want to happen and how you can make that happen?”

Client “Yes, but I’m concerned because I really don’t want blah to a happen…”

When you know what you want or where you want to be – then focus on that.  You’ll be significantly more productive.

Right now that holds true when we’re bombarded with stuff on the credit crunch.  I’m not suggesting ostrich maneuvers here.  However if you obsess about your business not making any money, guess what.  Then again if you ask yourself a different question, like how can I make more money? Then you’ll find over time more and more ideas or opportunities coming to you around that subject.

Who did you ask? and why did you ask them?

Sometimes we seek advice because we really haven’t got a clue.  We’re usually looking for an expert then.  Someone who can give us some specifics, preferably this expert has also been there, done that and got the t’shirt.  That way they can also tell us of some pitfalls to avoid.

Sometimes we seek advice becuase we want to test our ideas or thoughts.  So we’re looking for a sounding board.  Someone we trust who’ll give us honest constructive feedback without massacring our ideas or making us feel really stupid.

Other times we seek advice because we want the strokes, we want someone to tell us we’re doing good.  Now clearly here we don’t want any advice, but we ask away looking for and expecting the praise….and when they give us some constructive feedback we’re amazed / hurt/ offended / angry * delete as appropriate.

So what can you do to be a great advice taker?

- avoid being reflexive / defensive / closed minded.  Putting it another way be open to new ideas, points of view and suggestions.

- ideally seek advice when you’re calm.  When you’re stressed you ability to judge and make decisions is very different, and for many of us that means less effective.

- learn to listen and I mean really listen, pay full attention to all that’s been said.  That includes body language as well as tonality of voice.

- have a network of advisers already established.  The investment in establishing these relationships means that a) you know the best person to ask based on your needs and b) if you’re in a crisis then they’ll be more inclined to respond in a time frame that helps you out as well as the advice.

- Lastly know you’re own end point, as in the goal, the outcome, the purpose.  If you go seeking advice without this then you make it harder for them to help you.  Very often the advice they give you is context specific.