Executive Transition – Denial Overview & Checklist

Top 10 Mistakes Executives Make When Searching for a Job

#5 Being in denial.

Overview

Beliefs, both positive and negative, are not always grounded in reality. These include personal beliefs about who you are, what you’ve done, what you’re capable of, and how you’re perceived. They also include beliefs about the outside world, including the state of the marketplace and the competition. Lack of awareness can manifest as denial, and an open-minded approach to learning can put things into proper perspective. Deep-seated psychological denial, however, can be much more difficult (but not impossible) to unravel. In either case, making a concerted effort to egress from denial is an important step toward personal development and career success. Seek 360 feedback from peers, superiors, subordinates and even friends and family. Their insights will give you valuable perspectives from which you can better understand your situation, as well as make improvements to build your brand. When asking others for their opinions, however, be prepared for what you might hear. Defensiveness signals denial, so focus more on what you can learn from others, and what you can do to improve yourself.

Coaching

It’s natural to exhibit denial as defense mechanism when facing uncomfortable or difficult situations. It’s often easier to reject or minimize problems, rationalize situations and project responsibility on others rather than to see things as they really are. In terms of career management, people can be in denial about a number of things, including the possibility or reality of being fired, the state of the marketplace, and their own marketability. Chances are, you’re in denial about something. Challenge yourself to confront any denial you might be experiencing, or to get ahead of it before it takes hold. Resolve to approach your career and your job search with an open mind. Are you looking in the right places? Do you have the right credentials? Be receptive to suggestions and criticism, using them to recalibrate your search. Learning how to deal with reality on an ongoing basis will ensure that you’ll be better prepared when change – planned or unplanned – comes along.

Dos & Don’ts

• Get professional coaching if you find yourself stuck. Because of the nature of denial, you might not recognize it as such, but with the help of a coach, you can learn to identify issues grounded in denial and work through them appropriately.

• Don’t procrastinate – the longer you avoid dealing with a situation, the stronger the denial takes hold. Now is the time to take action.