Excellence University Journal

WATER Tip: Team-building

by Dr. Brian Higley

Another critical component of Execution Excellence is the ability to surround oneself with the sort of people who will be supportive of the achievement of the most important SMART goals.  The ability to do so begins with an understanding that we all deserve to be around supportive people, is strengthened by becoming clear about how to bring supportive people into our lives, and is further fortified by learning ways to decrease time spent with unsupportive others (rather than believing that we have to spend a lot of time with people who do not support important SMART goals for one reason or another). Read the rest of this article »

On Becoming a True Expert (rather than just “looking like” one)

by Dr. Brian Higley

I just read an article by a friend of mine who is one of those rare people that is truly concerned with helping others change in ways that genuinely enhance their ability to be a “trusted advisor” to others, Jack Malcolm.  For a rock-solid list of ways to make changes that can increase your own credibility while also helping to spread what I call a “Culture of Sanity,” I highly recommend Jack’s article, “Content is Still King–Long Live the King.”

Mission Connection Tip: Staying Connected to Meaningful Pursuits and Helping Others Do the Same

by Dr. Brian Higley

So much research and experience has shown that staying connected to something meaningful can be a critical component of a satisfied and effective life, family, team and/or business.  Those who are able to identify something that adds deep meaning to their lives and find ways to pursue it (even in the face of barriers) tend to be more fulfilled and connected than those of us who struggle to do so.  This Mission Connection Tip focuses on four major phases of staying connected to a mission and helping interested others do so as well.

Mission Connection can be facilitated by becoming clear about our passions, skills, contributions and barriers to constant connection.  Attention to these areas tend to improve the chances that we will be able to promote meaning in our personal and professional lives.  Here are some ways people have been able to promote Mission Connection in their lives and the lives of others around them: Read the rest of this article »

Interpersonal Expertise Tip: Create and Maintain a Supportive Environment

by Dr. Brian Higley

Many experts believe that consistently supportive relationships (both personal and professional) is the “soil” out of which true effectiveness and satisfaction grows.  In today’s often disconnected society, it has become increasingly difficult for many to maintain safe and healthy relationships.  The good news is that it is possible to overcome these relationship barriers by creating a positive and nurturing environment.  A critical step toward enhanced Interpersonal Expertise is the cultivation and maintenance of a such an environment.  Supportive relationships help everyone involved to lay a foundation for more satisfaction and effectiveness in all areas of life.

Supportive environments can be created by first becoming “self-supportive,” then gaining an understanding of how to spread that support to the important others in our lives.  Here are some ways people have been able to create supportive environments: Read the rest of this article »

Interpersonal Expertise Tip: Creating Clear, Strong and Flexible (CSF) Boundaries

by Dr. Brian Higley

We all have personal preferences and values.  If we don’t know how to respect our own preferences and values (and those of others – even those we disagree with), we can set ourselves up to experience a great deal of unnecessary conflict.  Therefore, it seems imperative to know how to consistently set clear, strong and flexible (CSF) boundaries.  CSF boundaries are created by individuals with the ability to identify and establish the kinds of relationship patterns that help everyone feel connected and understood; such abilities contribute greatly to Interpersonal Expertise.

Clear, strong and flexible (CSF) boundaries can be created by understanding the basics of boundary-building.  Here are some ways people have been able to create CSF boundaries: Read the rest of this article »