LiveBlogging from the closing session:
Other training speaks to working on your strengths, but you say work on your weaknesses? Is it really possible to change someone with ill-character to become a leader?
Jim: I talked to this in the keynote--in all of the research that has been done, they say an expert or world class competitor, in order to get there, they must work on weaknesses. Our data shows that you can become an expert, that to be the best you can be, you have to work on weaknesses.
Barry: The second part, can someone who is really terrible be a leader?
Jim: It is related to character. Values are pretty hardwired by the age of 30. We can be influenced, like people in the military take basic training, it is about inculcating values and beliefs about what is important. It is about learning skills, but it is also about developing values. Research suggests that we are pretty hard wired by age 30 unless there is a major conversion experience. If we have someone who is of ill-character, who would rather lie, who would rather take from others, it would be pretty tough, nearly impossible. You might be able to create a conversion experience, but it would take something like basic training.
Barry: It is also about trying to figure out what people want and how you can help explain to an individual that their current path is taking them to their desired ends. If they are getting out of it what they want, there is very little incentive for them to change. Psychologists call it cognitive dissonance: when your actions are not leading you to your goals. Ask are you willing to be better that you are today? Behavior or goals will have to change.
--posted by Deb Nasitka
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