By Judith Humble
COLUMNIST: MIND AT WORK
The business coaching industry is founded on a revolutionary paradigm shift in the understanding of peak performance. Valedictorians and technical experts are toppling from their pedestals as a tidal wave of research confirms the new formula for stardom in the workplace: the qualities of EQ (one's "emotional intelligence quotient") are twice as important as IQ or hard skills in determining who will shine brightest in the business constellation.
Categorized as "soft skills," the abilities in the EQ powerhouse include objective self-awareness, effective self-management, and the use of social/communication skills to facilitate rapport and collaboration with others. In Working with Emotional Intelligence, a landmark book on leadership, Daniel Goleman confirmed the importance of EQ with an exhaustive review of research on top-ranked managers throughout the business world. Outcomes demonstrated conclusively that EQ stars consistently surpassed colleagues with deficits in "soft skills," despite the presence of superior IQs and technical expertise among the latter.
The "soft skills" are not addressed in formal education, leaving the development of competence to happenstance for many. Locally based coaching organization Humanfusion represents a dynamic response to the need for EQ training in today's workplace. the business is led by Dr. J. Gregory Gillum, whose own experience as a coaching client launched a journey of self-discovery so powerful that it changed the course of his professional life. Recalling the pivotal moment of self-awareness elicited by the coaching process, Gillum reports looking at his coach and saying "I want to do what you do!" His coach responded, "Why don't you?" Eight months later, Gillum left a vice-presidential position at GlaxoSmithKline to become an entrepreneur in the coaching world. humanfusion was founded in July 2004, and he has never looked back. In his words, "I am totally engaged by my work!"
Gillum's mission as a business coach involves teaching the skills of EQ to individuals aspiring to realize their full potential. His convictions echo the findings from Goleman's research analysis: "If you can develop core competencies in this area, you will enhance your ability to rise in any organization." Gillum's unique approach to EQ training utilizes a format he describes as the four disciplines. These include physical, mental, social/emotional, and spiritual self-disciplines, all of which are equally essential to success. Taken together, they encompass elements such as the organization of one' physical space, time management, effective focus, an objective awareness of strengths and limitations, and the cultivation of a sense of gratitude and accountability to the community. Gillum reports that as clients began to practice the disciplines, they experience a powerfully expanded sense of vision and possibility in the form of "jamais vu," or "I've been there, but now I see it all differently."
Gillum enthusiastically describes transformative outcomes in the coaching process. In addition to enhanced self-awareness and expanded horizons, clients can anticipate dramatic increases in productivity. "I coached a group of Realtors, and all the top performers increased their productivity significantly in the process. One first-year member was coached into the top 30 for her area. I have had similar success with financial planners, small business owners and other entrepreneurs. Coaching can have an impact on performance in any field."
Gillum addresses the area of leadership with "management assimilation," an intervention designed for managers with work performance problems. The initial steps involve individual sessions with the manager and interviews with workplace associates who can provide additional perspective on the problem. This coaching strategy culminates in a powerful, live version of the 360 evaluation, in which all parties involved in the problem assemble together. With the support of the coach, the manager must decide on the spot how to handle issues concerning employees. Gillum summarizes the benefits of this high-impact learning experience: "It creates public accountability and also requires everyone's participation in the solutions. The manager's performance improves, and the resulting 'buy-in' strengthens the sense of community."
An important part of the coaching experience is the evaluation of "fit" between an individual and a field of work or an organizational role. To address this critical success factor, Gillum uses the Winslow Dynamics Profile, a temperament plus competency work performance assessment which constitutes the gold standard in the field. Measuring 24 critical traits, including levels of EQ, the WDP is a key element in the humanfusion experience. Gillum describes it as an excellent basis for the learning process and vital to orientation. "Entering the coaching process without it is like trying to find Toledo without a map." humanfusion is the only company in Kentucky licensed to use the WDP.
Apart from his own passion for the work of humanfusion, Gillum is confident about the future of coaching. "Coaching is rapidly being legitimized through literature as well as personal and organizational outcomes. Changes in the workplace will generate the need for coaching as we move deeper into the information age, with knowledge workers more in demand. The new work environment will require a visionary style of management, which gives employees permission to explore, question, and participate in the development of their full potential."
Judith Humble, LSCW can be contacted at judith_humble@yahoo.com