
I recently read Tim Irwin's book Derailed where he steps through the career derailments of six high profile CEOs. These derailments were not due to fraud or other legal issues but were due to character flaws that manifested themselves so strongly that the CEOs were removed by their respective boards. The commonality between the CEO derailments that were studied came down to a five stage process;
1. Failure of self or other awareness
2. Hubris or extreme pride
3. Missed early warning signs
4. Rationalization
5. Derailment
To minimize the chances of a derailment as a leader or as an individual, Irwin defines "five critical habits of the heart" that are required to be developed. These are listed below;
1. The habit of openness - be open to feedback from others and actively pursue this feedback. Use the feedback to adjust your approach to your role(s) and always improve.
2. The habit of self/other awareness - always be aware of your strengths and weaknesses (Strength Zone) and always read the body language and messages that others are sending you. Adjust your approach to communication and strategy to optimize your strengths and the strengths of those around you.
3. The habit of listening to early warning systems - Use things like performance reviews, stress levels and interpersonal tension at work to provide early warnings.
4. The habit of accountability - Be accountable for your actions but create a culture of openness so your team can be accountable for their actions as well.
5. The habit of resiliency - Deal with setbacks positively and stick to the game plan. Don't sink into negativity and give up.
I am not going to detail out each of these habits but it is interesting to note that one of the best ways to avoid a derailment in your career or life in general is to study and define your strengths and weaknesses (point #2 above - the habit of self/other awareness). Once you understand this, then you need to leverage your strengths into every role that you have and bolster your weak areas with others that have strengths in these areas.
Don't get derailed….discover and live in your Strength Zone!
PS. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!