Re framing Leadership - The Leader as Performance Architect

Reframing Leadership: The Leader as Performance Architect and

The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Connecting to Performers and

Creating an Effective Performance Environment

Gary F. Best, Ph.D.

Executive & Leadership Coach / Performance Strategist

Created by PerformanceBest, LLC

Two Caveats:

My position on leaders and leadership…..A role or title is not what makes a leader…

My position on this thing we call “organizations”…..They’re mislabeled. We should be talking about organizings….not organizations.


Evolving Performance Environments


Elements of Performance Environments

Performers

Tools and Technologies

Governance & Rules

Communication Flows

Informal Networks

Cultures & Climates


Dynamics in Todays Performance Environments

Speed is everything – “Done is better than perfect!”

Change is relentless!

Informal networks rule!

Four generations in the same place

Workplace disruption: New designs, technologies….work from anywhere

Work is becoming project based / driven

Freelancers and independent workers are growing dramatically

Workers are becoming mission / purpose focused

Work is becoming team centered


So what’s a leader to do??

Leader as Performance Architect


Focus of a Performance Architect…

Designs the performance environment

…with the clear goal of enabling performers to achieve maximum success in their performance


To be Effective, a Performance Architect Must Understand ….

the performance environment

the attributes of the performers in the environment

the tools and technologies required by the performer for success, and

that they are also performers and share the same macro level attributes


And Secondly, a Performance Architect Must ….

Execute (co-implement, co-manage and co-adjust) their design to maximize the opportunity for performer success in the performance environment


Macro Attributes of Performers

Mindsets

Fixed

Growth

Capability and Capacity

Technical

Interpersonal


Capability and Capacity of Performers Technical skill level

Underdeveloped

Developing

Highly Developed

Capacity

Low—missing key elements for successful performance

Medium—has a majority of the elements, but needs focused development

High—has all the elements necessary for performance success

Approach / Engagement

Unfocused / Compliant / Disengaged

Focused / Interested / Moderate Engagement

Highly focused / Committed / Fully Engaged

Demographic (Generational) Preferences



Performance Architects Use Emotional Intelligence to Connect with and Understand

Performers

The Basics: Definitions, Physiology and Behavioral Competencies of Emotional Intelligence


An Emotion is….

…A physiological response to some stimulus from an environment


The stimulus can come from the physical, external environment or from an interior environment—your own mind and thoughts

Emotions most often happen in multiples….that is, you have multiple emotions at the same time

Because an emotion is a physiological response…like your heart pumping blood, it can not be controlled

However, an emotion can be managed

Emotions are contagious

A Feeling is….

The label that we give to a specific emotion

Being able to label an emotion as a feeling is what allows you to manage the emotion

The more accurately you can label an emotion, the faster and more directly you can manage the emotion


The Anatomy of an Emotion

Thalamus

Pre-frontal cortex

AmygdalaData is gathered through

the senses or imagery

Limbic System & StomachFight / Flight / Appease Response

Visual cortex


Candidates for Primary Emotions

Anger

Sadness

Fear

Enjoyment

Love

Surprise

Disgust

Shame


Emotions and Emotional Intelligence

Emotions are neutral…..they’re neither positive or negative, good or bad

Emotions are absolutely essential for effective decision making

Emotions can be motivational…..when managed, they enable us to persist in the face of setbacks and channel our impulses to pursue our goals

Emotions can be harmful when not managed…..demotivating and paralyzing for us

Emotions are necessary for effective learning

Emotions have a significant influence on physical and mental health


Dimensions and Competencies of Emotional Intelligence

Self-Awareness Emotional Self-awareness

Self Management Achievement Orientation

Adaptability

Emotional Self Control

Positive Outlook

Social Awareness Empathy

Organizational Awareness

Relationship Management Conflict Management

Coach and Mentor

Influence

Inspirational leadership

Teamwork

Recognition Regulation

Personal Competence

Social Competence


The Anatomy of an Emotional Hijacking….The Rider and the Elephant


The Rider represents your pre-frontal cortex—the brains “executive” function. You do your heavy lift thinking in the pre-frontal cortex

The Elephant represents your amygdala…an ancient part of the brain that initiates your fight, flight or appease response

When a stimulus from the environment (external or internal) happens, your amygdala is activated…and when not managed, the amygdala takes control and the pre-frontal cortex essentially shuts down…..

The upshot is that when you need clear, rational thinking the most…you don’t have it! And that’s a HUGE problem.Remember the Elephant and the Rider

The FINAL Take-Away…To be a highly effective architect of a performance environment and to connect with the performers under your care you need to:

understand the technical aspects of performance

design and plan the performance space to enable the performance

understand and “know” yourself and your performers …these are the main drivers for how you design and plan the performance space and enable performance!!


Emotional Intelligence is the single most powerful tool you have to make that connection!

Additional Questions



Fury, outrage, resentment, wrath, exasperation, indignation, vexation, acrimony, animosity, irritability, hostility, and at the extreme, pathological hatred and violence.

Grief, sorrow, cheerlessness, gloom, melancholy, self-pity, loneliness, dejection, despair, and when pathological, severe depression.

Anger Sadness FearAnxiety, apprehension, nervousness, concern, consternation, misgiving, wariness, qualm, edginess, dread, fright, terror: as a psychopathology, phobias and panic.


Happiness, joy, relief, contentment, bliss, delight, amusement, pride, sensual pleasure, thrill, rapture, gratification, satisfaction, euphoria,

whimsy,

ecstasy,

mania.

Acceptance, friendliness, trust, kindness, affinity devotion, adoration, infatuation, agape

Enjoyment Love




Shock, astonishment, amazement, wonder.

Contempt, disdain, scorn, abhorrence, aversion, distaste, revulsion.

Surprise Disgust Shame

Guilt, embarrassment, chagrin, remorse, humiliation, regret, mortification, contrition.


Leadership & Management

Re framing Leadership - The Leader as Performance Architect