The Influence Matrix
Influence occurs when we are positioned to exert high levels of authenticity (who we are) and exclusivity (where we are). Anchor Deeper Group is dedicated to maximizing positive influence by helping clients discern and distill their core values and skills in order to become uncompromisingly authentic. After a client has identified their authentic values and desires, we can examine their ability to maximize influence by creating and environment or positioning them in an environment where those values can flourish.
The Three Big Questions
Whether you are leader entering a new arena or a pre-school aged child walking into a classroom for the first time, all humans experience a set of strong emotions tied to new environments. The way that we experience these emotions and manage them effectively depend upon the way that we answer the three big questions:
(1) Will they like me?
(2) Can I do it?
(3) Will it matter?
When we ask ourselves, "Will they like me?", it is usually because we are not particularly strong in defining ourselves and deeply understanding our own strengths. Our strengths extend from our core values and from the experiences that fuel our character.
When we ask ourselves, "Can I do it?", it is usually because we do not have an accurate estimation of our own skills, competencies, expertise, and abilities. We need to understand what motivates us and in which situations we are most likely to achieve success.
When we ask ourselves, "Will it matter?", it is usually because we have not yet rigorously analyzed the stakes of the endeavor and honestly assessed the way that we desire to approach the challenge.
Once we understand our own answers to the Big Three Questions, we will have the proper mindset to achieve success and inspire others.
Challenge Cycles
The purpose of embracing the challenges that we face is to build strength for the future. The strength that we desire to embody and that our world needs includes a depth of character, an understanding of our humanity, and an empathy for others. Each step of the challenge cycle offers us an opportunity to develop new strength or to weaken our existing strengths.
Life's challenges can either launch us into a season of intense, honest reflection about who we are or they can lead us into a season of denying our realities. While honest reflection brings us in touch with our humanity and develops in us a tenderness towards others that can only be produced by challenging and harrowing experiences, a denial of reality allows our ego to grow enflamed and foreclose any hope of us understanding alternative perspectives. Unchecked ego leads to ignorance, which is the enemy of strengths and threatens the wisdom that we have. Alternatively, a posture of tenderness and understanding leads to wisdom, which becomes the foundation for new strengths.
The challenge cycle demonstrates that while no one is immune from life's challenges, the way that we allow such challenges to shape us determines whether or not we increase in wisdom and prepare ourselves for more meaningful challenges or whether we increase in ignorance and become more susceptible to those challenges.
