Resources
Recommended Instruments
SI
The Success Insights is one of a suite of instruments measuring a person's preferred style in four areas: dealing with problems, influencing, pacing and complying . . . "naturally" and "really." The Management-Staff, Relationship Improving and Job-Person Fit are the most popular selected in the suite.
EQ-i
Using five key areas: intrapersonal, interpersonal, stress management, adaptability and general mood the EQ-i measures emotionally and socially intelligent behavior. This instrument helps individuals identify developmental needs while highlighting strengths that could be even better leveraged, while monitoring for over use.
MBTI
The Myers-Briggs Typology Indicator (MBTI) helps people understand how they think and behave the way they do and how their "type" interacts with other "types." This assessment is useful in work relationships and personal relationships as it guides you toward strategies for working with or in difficult relationships.
FIRO-B
The Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior (FIRO-B) is a self-scorable assessment. This assessment helps people understand how their need for control, inclusion and affection can mold their interactions with others in the workplace and/or in their day-to-day lives.
The 360 Process
The narrative portion of the process is an important tool used when developing your leadership skills at any stage in your journey. The narrative report helps an individual understand what strengths others in the workplace see them use on a daily basis that helps create positive results. The "observers" also have a chance to share an example of when that person is at their best and what that looks like. Lastly, the individual is provided with candid feedback from their "observers" on areas where that individual can do even better. A CONFIDENTIAL and ANONYMOUS interview takes place to gather this information from the "observers." The observers typically include but are not limited to the following: Managers, Co-workers, Direct-reports and Others.
LPI
The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) helps individuals measure their leadership behaviors. The LPI report shows how you rank yourself and how your Manager(s), Co-workers, Direct-reports and Others rank you in five categories: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act and Encourage the Heart.
Lifeline
The lifeline is perhaps our most powerful instrument. By graphing our life on a simple 81/2 X 11 horizontal paper, participants are sharing the "peaks" and "valleys" they've encountered throughout the years. Reasons for completing a lifeline include:
• Creates clarity of your story of how you’ve become who you are.
• Connects you with your past.
• Highlights your choices, their significance and their pattern.
• Defines spaces you don’t share…perhaps with yourself and others.
• A chance to hear and feel your story, from your heart, head and soul.
• Connects you with others.
• Offers a shape you can mold and polish as it increasingly serves you and your legacy.
• Points to your “top ten” lists: Loves, Fears, Gifts and Truths/Agreements.
• Opens space for you to hear from others what they’ve not heard.
Published Books
We are pleased to share with our clients and friends the description of our first book Uncommon Career Success and our recently published second book High Achiever's Guide to Happiness. We hope you have a chance to read through and enjoy them.
Uncommon Career Success
Often, when we get to the finish line called success, we simply don't feel successful enough. We feel an emptiness as we work harder, achieve more, and do all the things we should do to succeed. This is common- and sad. It's the path to burnout, frustration, and sometimes resentment. This book is about achieving uncommon career success - having a career that creates the life you want.
Yes, we have an option: Uncommon Career Success!
Be successful- feel successful- and get energized by your work.
Eight specially selected chapters show you the way Each is a short ride to greater career success and uncommon levels of joy and pride in yourself and your work. At the end of each chapter is a section titled Personal Coach with suggestions for personal action as you coach yourself to true, uncommon career success.
If you are interested in purchasing, please contact us at 562-795-5560 or info@vancecaesar.com
High Achiever's Guide to Happiness
Do you feel that happiness and fulfillment are still missing even after you continue reaching the high goals you set for yourself?
The High Achiever's Guide to Happiness is an inspirational resource for those looking for a deeper sense of happiness. It is a simple, straightforward leadership coaching guide filled with personal anecdotes, thought provoking examples and questions. Also included are reflection exercises for those interested in more deeply connecting their purpose with better ways to serve themselves and others.
The authors provide seven keys that you can come back to again and again towards gaining fulfillment in your work and life:
- Discovering your purpose
- Having a vision
- Finding meaningful work
- Energizing relationships
- Beliefs and behaviors that give peace and power
- Reviewing, renewing and recommitting
- Discipline: Getting it and keeping it
Reflection Questions
These conversation-starting questions create an opportunity to learn more about yourself and others. Each set has over one hundred questions on individual cards. Some of the questions include:
"What would you do if you weren't afraid?"
"What is one significant thing you have yet to live for?"
We hope you will find them as useful as we do!
If you are interested in purchasing, please contact us at or info@vancecaesar.com
Recommended Books
Here are some of our favorite books for leaders and executive coaches who serve them. Many are used in coach training programs we periodically offer, along with the doctoral level and MBA leadership courses we teach at Pepperdine University.
Recommended Articles/Book Summaries
- What Makes a Leader? (HBR article)
- Who's Got the Monkey? (HBR article)
- Discovering Your Authentic Leadership (HBR article)
- Managing Your Energy, Not Your Time (HBR article)
- Be Your Own Brand (get Abstract)
- True North (get Abstract)