by Doug Gray | Dec 12, 2024 | change, Coaching, family, Financial Professionals, Leadership, Managers, organizational leadership, Sales, strengths, Success, talent, talent assessment
I’m often surprised at what business psychologists know, that ANYONE could benefit from knowing and practicing…
This content is #1 of 3 articles.
Title: The HERO Model: An approach for Navigating Organizational Changes in Family Enterprises
All leaders and advisors struggle with Organizational Change. How could our work be anything else? Family enterprises are infinitely complex. No one likes to be told to change. We all bring our biases and adopt heuristics to reduce that complexity. Attorneys say, “We mitigate risk.” Wealth advisors say, “We leverage capital assets.” Next Gens say, “We want to innovate.”
We all use heuristics (patterns for what works) to reinforce the structures that reflect our worldview for each family system. One common example is the multidisciplinary views of capital, that include financial, social, human, family, legacy, and intellectual views of capital. Those views of capital are resource-based, and the capital diminishes as we age. In my final years, for example, I will forget people and information, and my financial assets will be invested into healthcare… just like each of our clients.
What would happen if more practitioners adopted a more pervasive and universal view of capital?
Social psychologists (like me) know that Psychological Capital (PsyCap) is a dynamic, validated construct that can be used to describe our clients. PsyCap is defined as a construct based on 4 inter-related competencies: Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism (see the APA link here, or read the book here).
As the primary author, Fred Luthans, recently stated to me, “PsyCap has and continues to take off across the world … I have over 166,000 citations of my research which has been awarded in the top 1% of all researchers in all fields in the world and ranks #1 in organizational behavior textbooks. In other words, I am very happy with how PsyCap research is going, especially in the global economy.” (direct communication 9.5.24).
The HERO model is more than a convenient acronym. The HERO-within model is a critical approach that practitioners can apply at multiple levels- individual, team/ family, and organizational/ societal.
I have applied the PsyCap model with countless clients for decades. You can also do so!
And ANYONE can apply this model to themselves.
Practitioners, by definition, need to practice new behaviors and share them widely. My opinion is that practitioners have a fiduciary responsibility to practice both new ideas (innovation) and celebrate strengths (stability) every day.
The purpose of these 3 short articles is to introduce the HERO model, like a new vocabulary term, and examples that can be applied by advisors in any discipline. I invite you to assess how you can apply these practical examples with yourself, your loved ones, and with the clients you serve.
Imagine that you are building a house with a garden that you hope will support generations of loved ones. Hope is defined as “the will and the way” to build a better future (read the book here). Every business founder believes “I can build this product or service.” Their hopes are often defined in founder’s history books or videos, vision statements, the stories told and re-told at gatherings. Efficacy is the capacity to build that new house, to get the job done. We all use blueprints such as values statements, family constitutions, charters, phased strategic plans for new projects. Resilience is our capacity to respond to adversity by returning to the same or a better level. Examples include our responses to global disease, market adversity, or loss of our loved ones. Optimism is our choice to believe in a positive outcome, such as well-being for our children and grandchildren. All four of these competencies can be measured, taught in under 90 minutes, and developed over time. The PsyCap impact is more significant when all four competencies are measured (a second-order effect) than when only one or three competencies are measured.
Here are examples for how we can accelerate PsyCap at three levels: Individual, Team/ Family and Organizational/ Societal.
Article #1 of 3: The HERO Model applied at the Individual level
We all need to look in the mirror at times. We all need to exhale. All good leadership development models start with self-awareness and lead to new actions, so it makes sense to start this list of activities with assessments, then several new behaviors that you can implement immediately.
A. Pre-Meeting or Annual Surveys. For years I’ve embedded these 4 questions into surveys so that I can provide a summary of PsyCap changes over time. Directions: On a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) how do you assess each of the following?
1. Hope. I have “the will and the way” to achieve my goals.
2. Efficacy. I feel confident that I know what I need to do to achieve my goals.
3. Resiliency. I can get through difficult times or challenges.
4. Optimism. I am optimistic about what will happen to me in the future.
When I share the data, I also encourage people to use these four vocabulary words regularly.
B. Self-Assessments. Individuals and teams can clarify values using free tools like https://www.viacharacter.org/ or https://www.lifevaluesinventory.org/
Personality and behavioral data including strengths and derailers can be assessed from https://www.hoganassessments.com/ or https://www.discprofile.com/
C. 360-Assessments. The most valid form of assessment is anonymously collected from others and focuses on the behaviors of family and non-family leaders. See my process at https://assessnextgen.com/
D. Reflected Best Self activity. When I ask 10-15 people to describe my strengths and weaknesses, those details can help me identify how I can be “At My Best.” Our colleagues and loved ones may never have been asked to provide feedback or advice. (See details at https://hbr.org/2005/01/how-to-play-to-your-strengths).
E. Three Good Things. The gold standard in social science, with over 100 years of research, occurs when a random sample population repeatedly has a significant result from an isolated behavior. Imagine that you practice this new behavior for a week. When going to bed, write down or state out loud Three Good Things that happened that day. Simple activity, right? If we measured your subjective well-being (happiness) daily, it would increase. Related prosocial measures, like gratitude and kindness, also increase. If you extend your Three Good Things activity into a journal for months and years, then you can ask your loved ones if they notice any results. (read the book here).
F. Adopt a metaphor, such as building a new house with a garden where your great grandchildren can flourish. When we “design a future self or future house” then we can adopt that metaphor and practice flourishing. Ask any founder. Or ask any parent. When we hold newborn children, we always whisper our best intentions and hopes. Why not do the same for yourself and your clients?
Time to pause… what do you think?
Article #2 in this series will focus on the team/ family level.
Article #3 in this series will focus on the organizational/ societal levels of organizational change.
Conclusion
Like every practitioner, I’m regularly reminded of how little I know. I ask for advice, and read, and on good days I listen well. Then I try something new. The PsyCap term may be new to some readers. However, the words “hope, efficacy, resilience and optimism” are ancient and familiar.
If we embrace the HERO model for our loved ones and our clients, then we are practicing ancient wisdom, in a new way. (See my riveting dissertation here).
My experience is that Psychological Capital describes family-centric values over a longer term than any other measure of capital.
Please add your thoughts if you share that bias or want to continue this conversation!
Schedule a 1:1 session here
by Doug Gray | Dec 10, 2024 | change, Consulting, Leadership, Personal Development, strengths, Success
Here is Annual Self-Assessment Form. Copy this. Print this. Post your notes with YOUR coach or accountability partner.
Date: _________
Step 1:
List the top 5 people who are most important in my life today.
Instructions:
For each statement below, imagine how those who know you well would score you. Use a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high). After scoring yourself, add comments for additional insights or actions to improve.
- Hope:
“I have the “will and the way” to achieve my goals.
Score: ____
Comments: ________________________________________________________
- Efficacy:
“I feel confident in my ability to take on challenges and achieve desired outcomes.”
Score: ____
Comments: ________________________________________________________
- Resilience:
“I can bounce back from setbacks and adapt to changes.”
Score: ____
Comments: ________________________________________________________
- Optimism:
“I focus on the positive aspects of situations and believe in the best possible outcomes.”
Score: ____
Comments: ________________________________________________________
- Humility:
“I value the contributions of others and admit my mistakes.”
Score: ____
Comments: ________________________________________________________
- Curiosity:
“I actively seek new knowledge, ask questions, and explore diverse perspectives.”
Score: ____
Comments: ________________________________________________________
- Collaboration:
“I work effectively with others, fostering trust, and contributing to collective goals.”
Score: ____
Comments: ________________________________________________________
- Accountability:
“I take responsibility for my actions and follow through on commitments.”
Score: ____
Comments: ________________________________________________________
- Empathy:
“I show understanding and compassion toward others’ experiences and emotions.”
Score: ____
Comments: ________________________________________________________
- Vision:
“I communicate a clear and compelling vision that inspires others to act.”
Score: ____
Comments: ________________________________________________________
Reflection Questions:
- What do these scores and comments suggest about your current leadership strengths?
- Which area(s) do you most want to improve over the next year?
- How can you leverage your relationships with the five most important people in your life to support your personal and professional growth?
- 12 months from now, what are 1-2 important aspects of your life that you would regret losing? (These are the 1-2 aspects to focus on ahead).
Naturally, this self-assessment can be repeated at any time to track your growth and identify areas for continued development.
If you have advice on how to improve this self assessment, please comment or reply directly.
Schedule a free 1:1 with Doug here.
Or CONTACT us today!
by Doug Gray | Jan 30, 2023 | Business, Coaching, Consulting, Family Wealth, Leadership, Personal Development, strengths, Success
There are many opinions about the top strengths of family business leaders.
One of my recent projects answers that question.
We (Kent Rhodes, Ed.D) and I recently developed and validated a 360 assessment process for next generation family business leaders. See www.AssessNextGen.com for details. We determined the top 50 items.
Our recent research found that the number 1, top strength, or Career Catalyst for family business leaders is Item 13: “Keeps confidences about family business wealth.”
Hmmm. On a scales of 1-10 how well does your family business keep confidences about family wealth? Here are some quick thoughts about how to apply this finding to your family enterprise or family business consulting.
For more details contact Doug Gray, Ph.D. at Gray@theFBCG.com or Kent Rhodes (Ed.D.) at Rhodes@theFBCG.com
Here is the transcript for your reference and sharing:
Video posted on Monday 1/16/23.
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7020809894287015936/
Title: What is the most important strength for Family Business leaders?
Description on YouTube post: A quick research update from www.AssessNextGen.com.
We can now answer that ancient question, “What is the most important strength of Family Business leaders?” Here are some tips for your family enterprise or consulting.
Transcript of video:
Sometimes people wonder, “what are the top competencies that family business leaders need?” And I’m happy to report some early results from the Assess Next Gen Family Business Leadership 360 assessment. This data is from 163 responses in the last few months. Here is the top score, in other words, the Career Catalyst, the behavior that is number one. I’ll give it to you and then I’m going to ask you to reflect on it.
The top score, the thing that our raters said others ought to do, is item number 13: “Keep confidences about the family business wealth.” To repeat, the most important strength of Family Business leaders is to “keep confidences about family business wealth.” What does that mean for you and your family or your enterprise?
I recently asked that question of a friend of mine, John Broons, who’s in Australia, who is pretty brilliant. And he said, “family wealth needs to be part of the conversation. It’s too often not discussed.”
I agree. We need to prepare for risks, like a transition or a succession or continuity or another line of business. And too often family members don’t have any idea of what’s next. There’s the core business. Perhaps there might be other lines of business, but family wealth conversations should definitely stay within the family.
Many of my clients have a charter or clause which states, “This is what we will say, and to whom.” They may have a conversation with the wealth advisor and estate attorney, and they may not have that conversation with somebody like me, a business consultant. The family members are the only ones who have access to that information. This is to protect them from journalists or politicians or inappropriate people seeking to learn something about that wealth. And often this confidentiality clause is written in an agreement. So we’re really talking about the two first words here…
Keep confidences. The most important strength of Family Business leaders is to keep confidences.
How do we keep confidences? I think we need to reinforce some useful guidelines. My clients require trust guidelines. Let me give you a quick example. One of my clients has eight G4 children on this side and four children on this other side. Potential conflicts, right? So they made an agreement in writing, and verbally reinforced it in every one of their meetings, about what could be shared with Doug as the family business consultant working with that G4 generation. My focus is on leadership development. Part of my job is to reinforce for them what’s confidential and what they need to keep confidential.
It’s a bit like driving a car when you’re driving down an unfamiliar road. You’ve got the white lines on the right side, the yellow lines on the left side. Like a good driver, we need to keep confidences. We don’t want to go to the edge of those lines. We don’t want to go off the center of the road. We certainly don’t want to go in the dirt or the gravel on the side.
So, my invitation is to keep confidences about family business wealth. Keep that conversation sacred. There you go. Tip of the moment.
For more details on the Assess Next Gen Leadership 360 process, see www.AssessNextGen.com
Or schedule me at contact us
by Doug Gray | Oct 1, 2020 | ISO 30414 Compliance, Leadership, Managers, organizational leadership
Guest author John R. Mattox, II, Ph.D., VP of People Analytics, Action Learning Associates, LLC
I doubt that your team is ready for the SEC. Let me explain.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) currently requires publicly traded companies to report ONLY ONE metric about human capital: number of employees. Human Capital is their biggest expense. For investors, that ONE METRIC does not provide adequate information about an organization’s most profitable intangible resource- human capital. For HR and business leaders, that one metric is NOT SUFFICIENT to monitor and manage the workforce effectively.
Human Capital metrics are essential to 1) manage the workforce and 2) drive business value.
On August 26, 2020 the SEC revised its rule on Human Capital Reporting. Anything that has a “material influence on the operations and profitability of the organization should be reported.”
Privately-owned businesses WILL follow publicly-traded organizations. They always have.
A wide range of human capital metrics will apply. Thankfully, there is a well-researched and comprehensive framework for measuring and reporting human capital metrics. We can help your team immediately.
The International Standards Organization, (ISO) which has improved product quality and consistency around the globe with ISO 9000, has developed a NEW standard for sharing meaningful measures of human capital called ISO 30414. You need to know about it.
The ISO 340414 standard outlines 11 areas that organizational leaders should measure and report on various aspects of your workforce. The purpose is to give investors insights into the people-side of the business. Equally as important, ISO 30414 gives the c-suite a standard set of metrics to monitor and manage to improve the organization.
What are the Human Capital Measures?
The ISO standard contains 11 general reporting areas which are listed below:
- Compliance and ethics
- Costs
- Diversity
- Leadership
- Organizational culture
- Organizational health, safety, and well-being
- Productivity
- Recruitment, mobility, and turnover
- Skills and capabilities
- Succession planning
- Workforce availability
Along with these reporting areas, the new ISO 30414 standard provides specific metrics and recommended ways to calculate each of these measures.
You can expect updates to definitions and calculations in the coming years as practitioners adopt and apply these ISO 30414 standards. We can help you.
Back to my question: Is Your Organization Prepared?
The question for you is simple: Are you ready? I doubt it.
Is your organization ready to adopt this ISO 30414 framework, measure your workforce, take action to improve your organization, and also report that information internally and externally as needed? I doubt it.
If you have an HR analytics team, there is a good possibility that you can analyze and report some or even all of these metrics. If you do not have an analytics team, your system administrators might be able to cabal together a representative set of measures. But you will still require our help.
Based on the LinkedIn Global Talent Trends study (2020), 85% of those surveyed think people analytics will be a dominant function in human resources in the coming years. Yet, 55% of those surveyed say they “still need help putting basic people analytics into practice.”
Nearly half of all organizations are not prepared for ISO 30414 human capital reporting.
Sadly, I doubt that your team or organization is ready for the SEC. We can help you.
Is Human Capital Reporting Required?
This is a simple question that has a complex answer. The current answer is “no.” The SEC does not require publicly traded companies to report anything more than the number of employees. However, other countries like Germany are requiring extensive HC reporting and they are basing their efforts on the ISO 30414 standard. Dave Vance, the Executive Director of the Center for Talent Reporting (www.centerfortalentreporting.org), recently published an article in CLO Magazine describing when the SEC will require human capital reporting. The current answer is that the SEC is likely to require publicly traded companies to report “material information”—meaning anything that an investor would find valuable when considering buying a security. That is very broad language and will likely encompass all Human Capital measures.
The ISO 30414 provides a useful framework, valuable metrics, and informative calculations and will likely serve as a guide for future organizations. We recommend that YOU adopt these measures today.
Conclusion
Most organizations are not prepared today to augment current public financial statements about the health of their company with information about human capital. However, information about “material influencers of the business including human capital” are now required by the SEC for publicly traded companies.
ALL organizations need to prepare for ISO 30414 compliance. You will soon be required to leverage internal resources like analytics groups, HR systems, and standard measurement processes.
Most business leaders will need to hire external consultants like Action Learning Associates, with expertise with HR analytics and the ISO 30414 standard. Not only will you need to be compliant with new SEC rules, you will be able to recommend solutions to your c-suite leadership team. Your biggest expense is Human Capital. Soon you will be required to manage your investments in people and improve all aspects of your Human Capital business. Why wait?
Call us TODAY to get started.
John Mattox, PhD and Doug Gray, PhD can be reached at contact us or 615.236.9845.
by Doug Gray | Jun 29, 2020 | Coaching, executive presence, Leadership, Success
You may think I’m a good planner. Not always true. When my loved ones want a Christmas gift they send me digital links. I select something. Then on Christmas Eve I run around Nashville, TN to pick up my gifts. It’s a long time habit. Full of joy and occasional last minute substitute gifts.
Apparently I’m not alone.
On December 24, 20198 I raced into a jewelry store at Green Hills Mall in Nashville to pick up a gift.
Marshall Goldsmith was doing the same for his loved ones.
You may know Marshall as the best-selling author of “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” (2007) or “Mojo” (2009) or “Triggers” (2015). Or as one of the most influential executive coaches and leadership consultants of our time. Or as a contributor of CoachSource, the largest global provider of executive coaches, where I serve as an engagement manager.
Or as another person racing around to find meaningful gifts for his loved ones.
We are not alone.
by Doug Gray | Jun 25, 2020 | change, Coaching, Leadership, OKR Leadership Skills, organizational leadership, video
Here is a lively video/ podcast for practicing leadership.
131: The Power Of Leadership Development, With Doug Gray
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