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More than anything else, professional guidance is a matter of understanding personalities. Phyllis Levinson understands this idea better than most, finding her career path through inclination rather than introduction. The final installment of this 3-part conversation with this author and life coach takes a focus on her influences and personal experience in the field.
[0:49] A False Dichotomy
As human beings, it is natural for us to try and simplify things. An overarching theme among Levinson´s clients who are dissatisfied with their careers is a false choice between work and life. As her ¨Tree of Life¨ metaphor shows, our personal and professional aims comprise an expansive and interconnected system of pursuits. The decisions we make are often not as clear-cut as they seem, and we usually have more choices than we immediately consider. Through careful consideration, we can devise systems tailored to us as individuals.
[2:35] The Power of Prioritization
Most people have a diverse array of goals and desires, all of which require dedicated effort. With a finite time frame in which to find fulfillment, it can be difficult to be sure which direction makes the right first step on a long journey. In Levinson’s view, this is where we can turn our tendency to simplify things into an advantage. She points to Steven Covey’s famous ¨4 Quadrants¨ concept as a reliable guideline. By separating the tasks before us into immediate and eventual, urgent and optional, we can draw reliable roadmaps to our destination.
[9:56] Empathic Leadership
Although she emphasizes that human nature is never set in stone, Levinson notes a marked difference in the management styles of women she works with. In her experience, women in leadership positions tend toward a more people-focused strategy. These leaders are inclined to make more use of “soft skills”, such as compassion and communication, rather than hard metrics. Empathic leaders consider how each decision will affect the people they trust, and so they find tremendous value in the authentic human feedback she provides.
[13:50] Behind a Mastermind
Mastermind groups represent another core element of Levinson’s development as a life and career coach. These groups are made up of senior executives as well as team members of various organizations, and are designed to examine issues from multiple angles. For Levinson, the value of these groups is in the candid discussions that take place during each session. The practical input of ground level support staff combined with the grand visions of team leaders can result in surprisingly innovative solutions to everyday issues.
[16:34] Good Followers Make Great Leaders
No one is an expert at everything, and so micromanagement is often the mark of an incompetent leader. Although Levinson specializes in leading mastermind groups, she also finds consistent value in attending them as well. She highlights the inherent merit of variety in perspective, as practically everyone has something to teach…and something to learn.
About Phyllis Levinson:
Website: https://www.phyllislevinson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhyllisLevinsonCoaching/
Blog: https://www.phyllislevinson.com/phyllislevinsoncom
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phyllis-levinson-mcrp-pcc-45a81218
Connect with MindTeam Solutions:
Website: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/mindteamsolutions
Email: Info@MindTeamSolutions.com
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/mindteamsolutions