And it has some important implications for leaders. Among them: Imagining a future self that is realistic, rather than fantastic, is more likely to lead to satisfaction and success.
In his new book, Personal Intelligence: The Power of Personality and How It Shapes Our Lives, Mayer describes personal intelligence as “the capacity to draw out, and reason about, information about personality.” We use this mental ability, he says, to deduce how to behave with others, how others will behave toward us, to better understand our own needs, and to map out our future plans.
Mayer and his colleagues have developed the Test of Personal Intelligence (TOPI). In one segment of the test, they seek to determine how people can best connect their present self with their future. A key discovery: Rather than imagining the end result of a future goal, such as playing in a major symphony orchestra, it’s more effective to visualize practicing your instrument each day. Practice, explains Mayer, provides the best bridge from the present to the future.
For leaders, here’s the aha: You may be limiting your future potential by putting too much pressure on yourself (and your organization) today. Fantastic, far-off goals tend to shut off possibilities that may open up in the future, but can’t be foreseen now. If you’re so locked into a goal that you’re virtually blind to everything else, you risk robbing yourself of a brighter future.
Here are five strategies you can use today to maximize your personal future:
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
