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Welcome back to my Leadership Learning Series. This month, my book review follows on from my previous blog post, with Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine.
In the book, Shirzad explores why only 20% of teams and individuals achieve their true potential. He has evolved ten characters – he calls them ‘saboteurs’ – and he uses them to describe how each of us self-sabotages by letting negativity get in our way when dealing with challenges. Handily, there’s a free ‘test’ you can take to understand your own saboteurs and this is excellent for putting the contents of the book into context.
Saboteur Characters
The ten characters are the:
· Judge
· Stickler
· Pleaser
· Hyper-vigilant
· Restless
· Controller
· Avoider
· Hyper-achiever
· Victim
· Hyper-rational
You may instantly recognise or feel an affinity with one or many of these. However, the subtle nuances of the test may also mean you are surprised by what surfaces for you.
Shirzad argues that we need to be able to self-manage our mindset if we want to have a chance at success. If we think of high performers, such as sportspeople or business leaders, none of them will be completely balanced in terms of mindset. They will have to continually work to give strength to some aspects of their thoughts and remove control from others.
I’m fascinated by the way our mind works – which is probably a good thing given I spend time helping my clients get their own head around theirs. Reading Shirzad’s theory has taught me that we have a choice in how we listen to our mind. By recognising these ‘characters’ we are instantly a step ahead. We can be forewarned of likely reactions and behaviours which may block success for us. In fact Shirzad says that by boosting our Positive Intelligence (PQ) we are likely to make 37% more sales, perform 31% better, be 19% better at diagnosing issues and be three times as creative.
So what can we do to avoid self sabotage?
I’ve recently signed up for Shirzad’s seven-week course designed to act a little like a bootcamp and train you to boost three core mental fitness muscles.
These are your:
· Saboteur interceptor muscle, which intercepts and discredits the negative emotions created by your saboteurs;
· Sage muscle, which is the one which handles challenges with a clear and calm mind and positive emotions; and
· Self-command muscle, which when not used means you are not in full command of your mind.
The programme provides attendees with innovative exercises which flex these ‘muscles’ to build up the ability to self command.
I’ll report back in a future blog but, for now, why not take the test and let me know who your inner saboteurs are.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://mindvaluesleadership.co.uk/resources/positive-intelligence-by-shirzad-chamine/” button_text=”To order your copy” _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_bg_color=”#951b81″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]