[Neurons] 2021 Neurons #58 EXECUTIVE POWER

[Michael Hall]

From: L. Michael Hall

2021 Neurons #58

September 6, 2021

Be the Executive #6 

 

EXECUTIVE POWER

 

To speak of executive control (#54) is also to speak about executive power.
If we ask, "What is the power that enables us to step up and fully exercise
our executive rights as a person?" after we talk about the four innate
"powers," there is the power or energy that refers to vitality.  This is the
sense of being fully alive as a person- alive to life, to possibilities, and
to unleashing our potentials.  It is the vitality of living for something
that is bigger than yourself, hence a sense of meaning, meaningfulness, and
purpose. 

 

To relate that to executives in organizations, we know that a vigorous and
inspiring vision can make all the difference in the world.  But the problem
with the great majority of businesses and organizations is that they do not
have a vision.  Oh, they might have a so-called "vision" that they post on a
wall or carry around in their billfolds.  But it may not be a true vision.
It is a forecast by the top brass about desired profits!  Or it is a fluffy
vague dream coded in some big fancy words.  It is not a well-formed vision
that activates a spirit of inspiration in all who read it.

 

A real vision is, in the final analysis, a highly meaningful description of
living inspirational values.  It is also actionable- people can unite to
live those values.  And it is not the superficial value of more money,
profit, or status.  A true vision inspires hope, determination, and
commitment in the minds and hearts of people.  Their values resonate with
it.

 

True well-formed visions also tend not to be urgent.  Important- yes; but
urgent- usually not.  As Covey so effectively laid out in Seven Habits of
Highly Effective People (1987), confusing urgent with importance prevents
people from clear thinking about values.  The confusion of urgency with
importance leaves many people running from one urgent crisis to the next.
They are always putting out fires and procrastinating on what's truly
important.

 

The problem is neuro-semantic in nature.  When something is urgent, we
usually feel a need and demand to hurry up and take care of it.  Urgency is
felt as a push, a demand, a requirement, even as a threat of danger if we
don't.  We then neurologically translate that to "it must be important."
Now we have a Meta-Model complex equivalent, urgency feelings = importance.
But it is a lie.  Just because something is presented as urgent does not
make it important.  Just because there is a ringing phone, a person knocking
on the door, a project that is due, a TV that's blaring, etc. does not make
it important.

 

This is where you really need to develop and access your executive
functions.  That's because there's power (vitality) in your executive
functions- 

 

1) Response inhibition and emotional control - the power of restraint.

2) Reflecting and meta-cognition                       - the power of
awareness,

                                                                   insight
and meaning construction.

3) Working memory             - the power of remembering, holding in mind.

4) Task initiation                    - the power of proactivity.

5) Sustained attention: attending, staying focused 

- the power of focus, concentration.

6) Intentionality and planning            - the power of planning.

                                                                   - the
power of intention.

7) Organizing: Prioritizing, sequencing   - the power of organizing.

8) Time management                            - the power of sequencing
events.

9) Flexibility in adapting, dealing with change  - the power of adjusting.

10) Goal-directed persistence            - the power of persistence.

11) Stress tolerance                              - the power of utilizing
stress.

12) Social intelligence communicating, empathy 

- the power of connection, collaboration.

 

There's power for vitality and energy in your executive functions.  If you
feel low energy, low motivation, depressed, discouraged, procrastinating,
etc. - you have not adequately identified, developed, and activated your
executive functions.  When you do activate them, you have the true executive
power to set an orientation for yourself that will be full of meaning, give
you a sense of purpose, and you will be able to sustain it in your focus.

 

Now, are you that kind of executive with yourself?  With the goals you set,
the values you strive to experience, and the way you live?  Do you wake up
with a sense of vitality about the rich meaningfulness in the purpose of
your life?   You can ... if you want to.  You can learn to engage in
executive thinking, executive learning, executive deciding, and that will
enable you to experience executive wisdom.

 

                                                                      

 

L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics

P.O. Box 8

Clifton CO. 81520 USA

www.neurosemantics.com 

 

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Executive Thinking is clear and accurate thinking--- the basis for critical
and creative thinking.

 



 

 

 

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