THE LEADERSHIP LENS Newsletter <download pdf>
May 2008, © Mark Sincevich, Staash Press, LLC (dba Leading with Focus)
A monthly resource providing insight, opinion and practical information on creativity, life balance & powerful communications

Coaching with Focus

The Owner of Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore, Paris, France, (c) Mark Sincevich

I believe in the power of perspective. Two of the most powerful tools for gaining perspective are a camera and a journal. I call my journal a Perspective Pad . When I travel, I always seem to have these tools with me most of the time. On one particular trip with my family to Western Pennsylvania, we had the occasion to stop for lunch at the Nemacolin Inn & Resort right south of Uniontown. The main resort building is made to look like something out of 18 th Century France, and it seems very out of place amongst the cabins and other structures of wood in the complex. In one corner, there is an indoor children's playground complete with a toy store, soda shop and a fortuneteller machine. When my family lined up to buy some ice cream, I decided to have a closer look at the graying Wizard in black and purple. His matching top hat had symbols of the stars and heavens, and he, or should I say 'it' had artificial eyes drawing me in. The sign on the side of the machine said 'fortunes told' 50 cents. I was intrigued, so I dropped in my money and one of probably eight pre-programmed cards was deposited in the card bin. Yet why was I intrigued? And why might you be intrigued to want to know more?  

It is this sense of wanting to know more that motivates many people to read the daily horoscopes or to open up a Chinese fortune cookie. How about a classic fortune telling device, the Magic 8 Ball? I borrowed one in junior high school to see if the girl whose locker was next to mine had a crush on me too. Many people had these devices purple liquid filled devices when I was growing up. I believe I have found the 'adult' version of the Magic 8 Ball. It is the Shakespeare & Company Bookstore in the 5 th Area (Ve arrondissement) of Paris. The bookstore is literally lined from floor to ceiling with numerous and often one-of-a-kind books whose titles stretch back nearly 100 years. Even in the bathroom with its bare bulb, there are books lining all four walls and some are even stuck into the rafters in the ceiling. The most amazing thing about this bookstore is it is one giant Magic 8 Ball. Each time I have visited, I always think about a question or decision in my life. I close my eyes and randomly look at the next title. Of course this makes for some cryptic answers especially if your eyes land on a book by somebody like James Joyce. Can you imagine if you were thinking, "Where should I go for dinner in Paris," and your answer is "Ulysses?"  

All of these trivial exercises and experiences are really layers of the onion, however crudely constructed, revealing something about us. Perhaps a Chinese fortune says you are 'good with finances' and you smile at your stock market prowess. Yet all of this meandering doesn't really have a system behind it. We often hop from one fortune to the next and stretch our bodies much like the 'get off of the couch' action game of the 70's called 'Twister.' Before you know it, you are contorted backwards with you one hand around an ankle trying to make sense of your life. There is a much better way. Wouldn't it be more useful to take the updated version of the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator (MBTI) Step 2 and get more detail beyond your four-letter type? What about taking additional assessments based on your leadership and your effectiveness such as the Firo-B and CPI 260? The great thing about these leadership and executive assessments is that they have been around long enough to yield statistically significant results. Understanding yourself is the first step on the road to self-improvement.

One of the ways I wanted to improve was to challenge myself at Shakespeare & Co. Before I even embarked on the journey to Paris, I learned the owner had Sunday afternoon book readings by visiting authors. I was determined to have the first reading of my first book, "The Real Ideal" at the bookstore during the three-week period I was staying in Paris. I tried repeatedly and was always told to come back. Perhaps the owner, a former American soldier in WWII, wanted to test my resolve, but I was undeterred. Sometime during the end of the second week, he finally approved my request. On a Sunday evening in April 1998, I had about 16 people from all over the world listen to me recite short stories, poetry and creative and challenging questions. I'm not sure if everyone in the audience spoke or understood English, but I felt a big sense of accomplishment by having a completed my medium-term goal. I even persuaded George Whitman, the owner, to carry my book in stock. By default my title was added to a list of possible answers in this giant Magic 8 Ball! In fact, I had put it in my Perspective Pad the goal of reading my first book at Shakespeare & Co. as something I wanted to do some three years before. By using my Perspective Pad, I was able to visualize my potential before the goal was achieved. What is it that you want to accomplish? If you really want to achieve it, start by writing it down! This is the second step on the road to self-improvement, visualizing your potential. By referring to your goals and intentions on a regular basis, they help to create a vision.

Just like my favorite photographic accessory, a sturdy tripod, you really need the third or stabilizing leg to accomplish something remarkable. While it is important to have an understanding of yourself and the ability to visualize your potential, you are not much different from the person who never made it to step two. The difference is in the form of perspective and subsequent action. You need to act on the information and influence your future! It was desire for action that qualified me to work with a senior executive who was making an important sales presentation. This particular executive was a retired US Army Special Forces Colonel. I worked with him over a few days to really understand his motivations and to figure out how he was going to connect with his audience. By helping him draw out personal stories, he was better able to understand himself. There was one story in particular when he was working as a United Nations observer in Africa that was the most memorable. I showed him the importance of incorporating this story into his presentation. When you tap into powerful and appropriate stories, you can literally visualize your potential by weaving together the future with the past.  

His story began when he heard a call over the short wave radio at his base in the desert. The government-backed militias were massing out to meet the rebels. The Colonel knew he had minutes to intervene before a disastrous battle. He got into his donated military-issue helicopter and rushed out to the site of the battle. During the short ride, he and a few fellow UN observers had to act quickly. This was a brave task, as UN observers cannot by agreement carry weapons. The white helicopter with the big UN letters whipped up the desert sand and caused the nascent melee to pause. The chopper landed abruptly and the Colonel and an aide got out on one side while some of his staff got out on the other. They started clapping and yelling for both sides to stop fighting. They made such a ruckus that they were able to 'shame' the Africans from fighting that day! The Colonel saved hundreds of lives through his quick decision-making and selfless actions. It was this signature story told to his potential customer that allowed him to influence his future and win the contract! Powerful presentation and communications skills for executives is just one aspect of what I call Coaching with Focus. Are you ready to better understand yourself, visualize your potential and influence your future as an executive? There is a better way from reading your fortune cookie!

About Mark Sincevich
Mark Sincevich is an executive coach and the chief perspective officer of his company, Leading with Focus. He works with motivated and skilled executives to help them understand themselves, visualize their potential and influence their future. Mark also works with organizations to develop leaders with more focus and creativity. He does this through a unique photography angle in his speaking programs and writing. As a result of Mark's programs, his customers gain a fresh perspective, generate new ideas, sharpen the focus and create more business. Mark is a member of the International Coaches Federation (ICF), the National Speakers Association (NSA) and the executive director of the Digital Photography Institute. Mark is also the author of three books including The Leadership Lens, and he is frequently quoted in the media. He can be contacted at 301-654-3010 or www.LeadingWithFocus.com .  

Improve your leadership performance by working with Mark in his executive coaching program, www.CoachingWithFocus.com .