When being out is really in!
Back in 1991 I thought I had it all. I had just been elected President of the Insurance Institute and promoted to Director within the large financial institute for whom I had worked the last eight years. Throughout my corporate career, which had started as an insurance salesman at the age of 19, I had pursued the dream of climbing the corporate ladder. I had studied and qualified with the highest industry qualifications and my new status added to my recognition within the dynamic industry. Many people wanted to meet with me and many more now looked to me for advice and guidance. Certainly, I had mentored numerous colleagues over the years but this new-found fame seemed to create an even greater demand for wise counsel and support. I was enjoying every moment of it; I was in the groove!
Within 5 years, just when I thought things could not get better, I was appointed Managing Director! But that's when things started to change. The new focus was on profitability and contribution to bottom-line. No longer could I devote time to growing my colleagues or leading from within the ranks. The demands on my time now came from divisional heads, board members and Group Head Office. I never realised what loneliness was - until now! It was impossible to share my feelings with fellow board members or ask for advice - that would be an admission of uncertainty or even worse, weakness. It was expected that, as MD, one had all the answers, or could solve every problem effortlessly and as one of the privileged elite, had little to worry about. Nothing could have been further from the truth; I was no longer in the groove! So I started researching what real leadership was about and came across a book called "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman. It was to change my life.
It took only two and a half years to become convinced about what I really wanted from life. I stood down as MD in 1998 and assumed a role in business development where, once again, I could work with a team of like-minded colleagues with a common purpose. I read everything I could on 'EQ' and started to evolve my thinking on emotionally intelligent Leadership. I was back in the groove!
But life in the corporate world seldom allows much breathing space and my ability for relationship development prompted an invitation to join the commercial banking division of the Group where I was placed on their exco. Whilst spearheading an assortment of projects and working closely with the CEO, I once again fell into the additional role of coach to a number of the leadership team.
Within 12 months the commercial division was merged with the corporate division and the inevitable power-struggle ensued. Emerging as a divisional head, I was soon tasked by the new CEO to visit banks and insurance companies in Europe and UK to investigate best practices which could be implemented in South Africa. After ten days of meetings with top executives during August of 2000 I returned to SA and started working on my report. The report was never completed. During the week of my return I was summonsed to the office of the new Deputy CEO - to be told I was being retrenched. Once again, I was out, my aspirations to climb the corporate ladder finally shattered. I was 50 and jobless.
That evening I took my wife out to dinner to celebrate; to celebrate the start of a new life - a life in which I could be in control of my own future; a life in which I could use my talents and experiences to assist others still struggling in the corporate world. Within two years I had established an executive coaching practice focusing on emotionally intelligent leadership. Now, as I reflect on the last few years, I can say I'm back in - but on my own terms. Working with executives to help them become the creators of their own success continues to be the most fulfilling part of my life to date. Walking the sometimes rocky road between their current reality and their desired goals, uncovering new possibilities and watching them develop their leadership competencies, provides me with enormous pride and satisfaction. I have developed my niche for blending the science of emotion with the art of leadership to even higher levels. I have never been more content in my life; for me, being out has never been more in!
If you would like to reach your fullest potential and believe that partnering with one of South Africa's top Executive Coaches will facilitate your journey, call Michael Pryke on 083 225 0425 or e-mail michael@eqimpact.co.za
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