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Imagine if you would a team of high powered executive who meet monthly, trying to decide if they could really trust each other.
After 3 years of being together, meeting monthly, to solicit help and feedback of important issues we face in our business, we did not know if we could trust each other with our deepest secrets, or wildest dreams.
What do you do? What brought this on?
We decided to take a 2 day off site business retreat to get clearer on what we can do to drive our business and professional performance to a whole new level. Below are some comments from the participants:
I learned a great deal about myself, trust, perception of people, the value of focus, misconceptions, the power of questioning, personal/work balance, the value of constructive dialog and risk. The key for me is so what do I do with the information and the group so generously provided?
Then the question in my mind is how we all learn how to be authentic in order to help others and be our true selves, not just the persona and person the world wants us to be.
Agreed on the points from the various emails today. When I floated the idea for this extended get together back at our November advisory board meeting (www.businessmasterynow.com), I was uncertain as to the reaction it would engender. When the reaction from all of you was so positive and the interest in participating so strong, I got a bit nervous about the actual event, particularly because we had such a loose agenda. However, in the days leading up to the retreat, it occurred to me that we have a group that’s been together and evolving for a long time and that I should just trust in the group and enjoy the ride.
What a weekend. The sense of community among us was palatable, the sense of purpose and genuine desire to help each other was so American, and the outcomes for me were very powerful.
I personally value the input that I received (personally and professionally), and it has put me into some very intense and positive ongoing reflection about my path and a plan for that determined path. I look forward to continuing to grow our relationships and mutual impact for and with each other.
I know it's repetitive but please accept my sincere thanks for permitting me to share in the honesty, respect, and integrity that I witnessed Sunday and Monday. Very few people will be lucky enough to have an experience such as this in their personal or professional lives.
I also want to thank the group. I learned a great deal about myself, trust, perception of people, the value of focus, misconceptions, the power of questioning, personal/work balance, the value of constructive dialog and risk. The key for me is so what do I do with the information and the group so generously provided?
What was interesting about the conversation is that there was a fair amount of time focused on each individual. I suppose that Ron would call this selfishness. However, the interesting thing is that most of the group was focusing on themselves so they can be more productive for others. So maybe the issue is that it is OK to analyze your impact and then move on to thinking about the wellbeing of others.
One other thing I learned from the weekend is that as I played back the tapes of the weekend in my head, I learned that many times I create judgment without knowledge and I apologize if I gave opinion without enough knowledge. That is the risk of a 360 like we did. We need to look at the feedback as insight and perception, not, in many cases, deep knowledge. The question in my mind is how we all learn how to be authentic in order to help others and be our true selves, not just the persona and person the world wants us to be.
All the above comments came from members who attended the retreat. There we eight of us and we asked only three questions of each other and the group:
1. Who are you
2. Where will you be in 10 years
3. What is holding you back
Day one each person reflected on and answered these three questions about each member of the group. During day two each people had an opportunity to reflect on the comments and respond to the group what they were going to do with the info.
I receive some great feedback and some that was less than flattering. I am grateful they would share so openly about my strengths and weaknesses. They were right about my weaknesses. I started paying more attention after the retreat and notice the same thing they told me.
I am now on a personal mission to change that.
Thanks Folks.
Everyone should do this. Getting feedback from seven of your peers is the fastest way to change your life. It is unfortunate that more of us don't do that. The results as so empowering.
To Your Continued Success,
Ron Finklestein
www.ronfinklestein.com
330-990-0788
info@yourbusinesscoach.net
www.49marketingsecrets.com
