MONTHLY STRATEGY
 
    

Kids Have Blind Spots Too!
 
Many kids have difficulty at some time with a particular subject, teacher or part of the curriculum. Successful students are those who develop ways to problem-solve and get back on track. Other students get stuck. When a problem arises, they stop problem- solving and can develop Blind Spots that may limit their success far beyond this subject or this classroom.
 
Blind Spots Block Positive Action.
When children develop a pattern of thinking, feeling or behaving that shifts responsibility for their performance to someone or some reason outside of their control, they build up blind spots that keep them from seeing positive possibilities for action. Inexperienced parents can sometimes fall prey to these blind spots, if they buy in to their child’s negative explanations. Consider Joey. He was a bright boy whose grades took a sudden dive in math when he entered seventh grade. The work was becoming harder and it required more homework. When asked by his parents about the reason for his declining performance, Joey explained, “The teacher doesn’t like me. She always singles me out in class when I don’t understand something. I don’t want to go to class.”
 
Joey’s parents now have two choices. They can focus on whether the teacher dislikes Joey and treats him unfairly or they can help Joey to find a way to improve his performance. If their real interest is changing Joey’s performance in math, they would best focus on that objective rather than the teacher’s likes and dislikes. In addition, shifting Joey’s perspective away from the teacher’s liking him back to his taking responsibility for action, supports Joey to problem solve. A helpful suggestion might be, “Let’s talk to your teacher together to work out a plan for improving your understanding of math.” This approach moves Joey back to focus on math. The focus on problem-solving also halts the development of blind spots. In reality the teacher may really not like Joey, and may allow this to influence his or her teaching. However, if Joey accepts this reality as a reason to allow himself to fail, he can develop a blind spot which unconsciously reinforces his retreat when faced with other challenges. Joey’s potential Blind Spot is called Pressure Push, where he sees barriers instead of solutions and therefore retreats into himself rather than proactively attacking the problem.
 
Problem-Solving for Success in Life
Research has shown that the best performers are not always the smartest or most academically intelligent. They are those who always can think outside the situation to develop plans of action for problem-solving. Wise parents will develop this attitude and these types of skills early in their children’s lives.
  
  
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North Pole Exclusive
Santa Faces Blind Spots
 
What’s happening to Santa these days? Many of his closest friends and associates are concerned about him. One elf observed, “We always could rely on Santa’s cheerful disposition and constant attention to meeting the needs of each little boy and girl. But, recently he seems distant and almost robotic—putting children on his knee to hear their wish list but appearing not to really listen. The children often walk away stunned and a little confused.”

One of Santa’s helpers, who preferred not to be identified, commented that Santa wasn’t acting like himself: “While he continues to give his usual directions for toy preparation, he often seems sulky and withdrawn. He even yelled at a veteran elf for no apparent reason. This is just not the caring, friendly Santa we’ve always known. Frankly, it seems that our cherished Santa seems more like the Grinch these days.”

Claudia Shelton, who advises executives from many top-ranked corporations, says that Santa’s situation is common to many leaders today. “High performing executives are under constantly increasing stress. Most are aware of the personal toll. However, most also underestimate the toll that their stress handling approaches are placing on those around them. In Santa’s case it would appear that he knows he’s stressed but he doesn’t realize how his experience of stress is affecting the elves and Mrs. Claus. This Blind Spot, if ignored over time, can seriously affect morale and motivation. While Santa needs to take steps to manage his own stress, he should also give attention to his relationships. He probably still believes he is being seen as a jolly old elf, however in reality his Blind Spot is obvious to everyone around him.”

How can Santa regain Clear Sight? Shelton says the first step is for Santa to recognize that Blind Spots are common to all high achieving executives. He needs to take time to consider how his are operating. An honest discussion with Mrs. Claus and his closest elves could help greatly.” Shelton adds, “If I were in Santa’s boots, I would straightforwardly acknowledge what employees can do to decrease the stress on him. It’s important for employees to understand their responsibility to help their boss perform well. It’s also important for bosses to realize the critical affect of their stress reactions on their relationships.”

Someone close to the Claus family disclosed that Mrs. Claus has scheduled a family trip to the North Pole Spa on December 26. Will Santa take the time to think about his stressed relationships? You can be sure that the North Pole News will monitor this situation closely—gathering our interviews and “checking them twice.” In the meantime readers, A Happy Holiday to you and special wishes for Santa’s Clear Sight to your house on Christmas Eve!
  
  
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Presidential Election 2004
Which Candidate Demonstrated an Effective Clear Sight Strategy?
  
How did the natural personal strengths of George W. Bush and John Kerry emerge in ways that convinced the electorate to support them? What personal Blind Spots influenced their performance? Which candidate demonstrated a clear strategy to minimize the effects of his Blind Spots through a consistent strategy for Clear Sight?
 
George Bush’s personal strengths are his decisiveness and consistency of goals. When he overused this strength, however, he moved out of his Strength Zone and into his Blind Spot. In the first TV debate, Bush appeared inflexible, angry and irritated as Kerry questioned him about his war/terrorism strategy. Bush’s poll results took an immediate plunge. But Bush methodically worked to eliminate his Blind Spot and build a strategy for Clear Sight. In the second debate he appeared more even-tempered and flexible; by the third debate he appeared outright cheerful and friendly. He held his humor and stayed upbeat in style without undercutting his decisive approach. The “Laura factor” became important--seldom did Bush appear without his wife or one of his daughters present. They soften his inflexible edges and help him to operate in his Strength Zone. The result: A man with a public image that reinforced the public’s confidence in him.
 
John Kerry’s strengths lie in his conceptual skills for analyzing problems. His Blind Spot results from overdoing the analysis and losing sight of its human connection. During the first debate, Kerry used his strengths brilliantly. He was even-handed as he analyzed Bush’s mistakes, and easily pressured Bush to expose his Blind Spots. Kerry operated in his Strength Zone, keeping his human connection. By the third debate, however, Kerry overused his strength and was working in his own Blind Spot: The overdose of facts and analysis of Bush made many viewers uncomfortable. Kerry kept attacking with facts of the NY Times story about weapons not being protected. The breakdown in the story made Kerry appear mechanical and lost in the data. If Bush had fallen into his Blind Spot again, the strategy might have worked. However, Bush worked in his decisive yet flexible Strength Zone. Kerry couldn’t touch him. In stead, Kerry stayed in his attack analysis, just further reinforcing his Blind Spot. The result: A public image, which created discomfort with his credibility and decisiveness