Business Career, Executive Coaching Article - Leadership: Understanding the Human Condition

 "Nothing is more practical than for people to deepen themselves. The more you understand the human condition the more effective you are as a businessperson. Human depth makes business sense."

- From Leadership: The Inner Side of Greatness
by Peter Koestenbaum

A philosopher, a behind the scenes sage for CEOs at some of the world's largest companies, Peter Koestenbaum poses the truly big questions. How do we act when the risks seem overwhelming? What does it mean to be a successful human being?

According to Koestenbaum the central leadership quality is the ability to manage polarity. We want to live, yet we must die? How can I devote myself to both family and career? Am I a boss or a friend? Every business interaction is a form of confrontation - a clash of priorities, a struggle of dignities, a battle of beliefs. Koestenbaum links the deep insights of philosophy with immediate, bottom- line business issues to break through "stuck points" and do better business.

You may be wondering why CEO's of top companies are even remotely concerned with deep philosophical issues. These leaders understand that their success in business is based in their continued personal growth and expansion. Every business person committed to success will reach a point when they need to confront the "deep" questions. So what about you? Do you put aside time each week to devote to your personal growth and development? What keeps you on the edge of your business and life? It may be reading, attending a workshop, a teleclass, conference, lunch with people who love to explore the "deep" questions or working with a coach or a combination of the above that keeps you living on the edge. Whatever it is, make sure you include it in your life. This week, schedule something when you can dedicate yourself to doing what a leader does - thinking planning, strategizing creating.

About the Author

Ruth Zanes has been a Business, Career and Personal Success Coach since 1985. Her broad range of experience prior to coaching includes consultant, business ownership and corporate executive for some of the world’s largest corporations. Contact Ruth at: http://www.unlimitedresourcesinc.com

 Ruth Zanes

More Articles 

Time for a Career Change? . . . How Do I Know? - Paul Megan
The beginning of a new year is often a time for reflecting on career progress. Questions like these can be in the front of our minds: --Do I hate getting up on Monday morning to go back to work? --How can I determine if this is the...

The Single Most Important Aspect Of Your Career - Erik Alburg
Do you want to get a promotion and make a lot more money? Do you want to be recognized for your hard work? Do you want to keep your job and not be downsized? In fact, do you want to know the secret to be Upsized? The most important skill you will...

How to Begin a Dog Training Career - Katie Brandt
Do you love dogs? Do you find yourself automatically trying to train each dog you come across? Would you like a fun, satisfying career that revolves around working with dogs? Then starting a dog training career could be the best career option for...

An Actor's Confessions Of Why .Info Is Better For His Career - DomainPurpose com
In 2002, a new top level domain extension called .info became available for people to register with no restrictions. This new domain option opened a whole new avenue for individuals who lost out in the .com registration process and had their...

Is your career classified 3F? - Cathy Goodwin Ph D
When the United States had a military draft, men with "4F" status were banned from military service. Some cherished the designation while others felt cheated out of the experience. If you're seeking career freedom, you may feel blocked by the...

A Career Coach's Mini-Confession - Marilyn J Tellez M A
A Career Coach's Mini-Confession I've worked with someone I know in my community who is looking for her next job. These are the things I have discovered about myself, my values and my own ethics in advising someone in the job search. 1. This...

Starting a Career in Freelance Content Writing - Diane Penna
As a frequent visitor to online forums filled with entrepreneurial stay-at-home-moms (and dads), I see posts every other day asking questions along the same line. How do I go about starting a career in writing? Where did you get your...

Realtor Can be a Very Profitable Career - James Hunt
Becoming a realtor can be a very profitable career for those that are personable, committed and driven. You might have to work long hours sometimes, but once you get your paycheck; it will be worth it all. Realtors that succeed in this...

Self-Knowledge: The Key To Finding The Right Career Direction - Atul Mathur
Your career, like any journey, has a beginning, an end and a direction. For many people, the present direction of the career is probably not a result of entirely their own choices. If, for some reason, you are not happy with the direction of...

Ten Great Careers For Single Parents - Max Stein
The challenges of raising a child by yourself, whether you’re a mother or father, can be very difficult. Add the burden of having to be out of the home for 40+ hours per week to work and raising a child at the same time can be nearly impossible....

5 Promises that Can Take Your Life and Career to New Heights - Vickie Milazzo RN MSN JD
In 1982, the year I turned 28, I realized my life was headed all wrong. I had gone into nursing wide-eyed, thinking I could make a difference--even improve the state of healthcare. Then I bumped up against the reality that no matter how hard...

Face reality - Forced Career Change will happen during your working life. - Michael Harrison
Most of us enter the world of work as employed and soon start to wish that we could change career or be our own boss. It is probably true that after a while a large percentage start dreaming they could work from home or start a home based...