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The Discipline of Personal Mastery evolved from earlier research
by psychologist Abraham Maslow who determined that people who had
lived fulfilled lives were Self-Actualized people. Maslow found
that Self-Actualized people were all committed to a cause outside
their own skin. The CEOs in Mr. Collins' study were each committed
to a cause outside their own skin as well. They placed the needs
of the organization above their own. They aspired to greatness for
the company over themselves.
As a result, this new research underscores and reinforces our approach
to Executive Leadership in helping companies achieve greater performance.
The answer was, is and always will be, found in leadership. Leadership
by resolve instead of command. Achieved by cultivating the seeds
of self-actualization and personal mastery in each executive.
The research also underscored that greatness didn't fall upon the
companies from outside the organization. A charismatic leader wasn't
recruited and brought in. Instead, the leaders rose up from within
each company. Therefore, growing the seeds of greatness in an organization
requires cultivating greatness within the executives of the organization.
In most cases, executives must change their perspective and/or behavior
in order to reach the paradoxical mix of humility and strong will
required to lead by resolve. Changing perspectives and behavior
isn't an easy task. But it is scientifically possible using the
discipline of personal mastery.
We hope one of the results of this significant new research is that
corporations will begin to realize that focusing on the short-term,
and seeking the quick fix to growth and performance, is a short-lived
achievement at best. True growth, true success and true performance
are directly related to the development of leadership within the
organization.
The development of leaders takes time, commitment and resolve. And
humility to realize that there's room for improvement. Ironically,
committing to the development of executive leadership requires the
same level of humility and will demonstrated by the CEOs in the
research.
If you feel the seeds of greatness stirring within your organization,
maybe it's time to help them grow. The rewards, after all, may be
astounding.
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