For the Manager or Executive who wants to examine and fine-tune his or her overall professional performance, an ongoing and in-depth relationship with a coach trained in psychology and management can be extremely beneficial. This intense experience focuses on the integration of the many critical aspects of effective leadership and managerial performance: specific managerial skills and knowledge, value and goal clarification, emotional control, critical and analytical thinking, decision making, leadership skills, discipline, etc. This program is designed to fit the specific individual client.
Non-urgent, yet costly human resource problems exist at times in all organizations. Such problems usually become worse if left unresolved. Before an effective solution can be realistically proposed and effectively implemented, the exact nature of the situation must be known. Accurate assessment of delicate management situations requires the skills of a specialist in human functioning, who is knowledgeable regarding business, as well as an objective observer from outside the firm. Practical solutions to problems are proposed on the basis of each assessment.
Senior Executives frequently are confronted with "people problems" which require timely intervention for effective resolution. They are often very delicate situations, requiring specialized knowledge and skills as well as immediate attention. This intervention may be best implemented by a senior executive within the firm. In such cases it is often useful for the executive to discuss the intervention with a specialist in management psychology in order to obtain objective guidance, gain confidence, or receive expert advice. In other situations it may be most effective for an objective outsider to intervene, someone not involved in the situation and not an employee of the firm.
As a result of Crisis Consulting or an Assessment of Human Resource Problems, it frequently becomes apparent that certain management skills are weak or missing. In these situations specific management training is essential to prevent the crisis or problem from reoccurring. Such training is most effective and beneficial when specifically designed to remedy the diagnosed problem, when carried out either individually or in small groups, and with regular follow-up.
The mix of strong family ties and emotions with sound business decision making is frequently very problematic. Jealousy, hurt feelings, anger, and other intense emotions often get in the way of rational problem solving and planning. Communication is often ineffective or non-existent, especially on issues such as death, succession, inheritance, etc. Tension between family members is often intense. Such problems can be resolved, if not prevented; however, they often require the skills of a professional trained in psychology, family dynamics, as well as business.
Hard-driving groups of professionals such as attorneys, physicians and management teams often find it useful to work with a management psychologist away from the office. Retreats focus not only on solving existing problems that are contaminating the functioning of the group, but also on learning tools to prevent such problems. Retreat agendas may include a variety of issues: the resolution of identified problems, communication patterns and skills, setting goals and priorities, motivation and productivity, etc. To insure that the retreat is individually tailored to a given group, each participant meets individually with the leader prior to the group meeting.
Bill was trained by Dr. Albert Ellis, a pioneer in the field of Cognitive Behavior Psychotherapy, in the Fellowship program at Dr. Ellis's Institute for Rational Living, in New York City. He has been practicing individual psychotherapy and relationship/marriage counseling for over 53 years; psychotherapy with individuals and couples continues to be a significant part of his overall practice. He was Director of Training at the Institute for Rational Living NW in Seattle for many years.