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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Simpson, Jo (Business consultant)
The restless executive: reclaim your values, love what you do and lead with purpose / Jo Simpson.
pages cm
ISBN 978-1-119-07121-1 (cloth) ISBN 978-1-119-07122-8 (ePDF)
ISBN 978-1-119-07123-5 (epub)
1. Executives-Psychology. 2. Management. 3. Executive coaching. I. Title.
HD38.2.S55 2015
658.4'09-dc23
2015005265
Cover Design: Wiley
Cover Image: ©Kostsov/Shutterstock
Introduction
THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ IF:
You are an executive, a manager or member of a team and you are feeling unhappy, challenged, unsatisfied, bored or restless
You are fed up with the way things are done and know deep down that there is another way, but not sure exactly what that is
You are already doing great work and want to take yourself, team or organization to the next level
A feeling of ‘Restlessness’ is stirring in today's corporate world. Leaders of all levels are experiencing it and starting to question what they do and why they do it, aside from habitual material drives. Intuitively they already know that there's a different way to operate, to show up and to positively influence others, yet until now there hasn't been a road map to show them how…
Throughout my work as a Keynote Speaker and Executive Leadership Coach, I have seen first hand the transformation that can be achieved when a person truly understands the power of their core values and lives and leads in alignment with them.
The Restless Executive tells the story of William Cleverley, the Operations Director at a well-respected global consultancy firm, Gant Foster, which is currently going through a company rebrand and repositioning. Struggling with the excessive day-to-day demands and pressures of the business, William feels overwhelmed and frustrated. He has reached a crossroads in his life, with the dawning realization that what used to be important to him no longer seems to feel of any real value. He has ignored the ‘intuitive nudges’ urging him to make changes – at least, up until now.
He is at a point where he knows something has to give, but doesn't know what or how, and he thinks his only option is to leave the company. However, at some level, William is already awakening to a new sense of being. He has developed a certain level of awareness compared to most of his colleagues. He is naturally curious and is more in touch with his gut instinct than he first realizes. This enables him to operate from the heart more fully and not just from the head.
As he begins his journey of transformation from Restless Executive to Courageous Leader, William engages in a process of self-discovery that helps him change his personal and professional life forever.
While the characters and events in The Restless Executive are purely fictional and not based on any individual, you may recognize aspects of yourself in William, as he is representative of so many restless leaders in today's modern world.
SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS BOOK …
In addition to following William's journey, this book is also a practical guide to explore your own restlessness and discover the gifts that it holds.
I invite you to read William's story on two levels – both as a story and as a way to learn more about yourself. From Chapter 4 onwards, you will find questions at the end of each chapter, which will help you discover who you truly are at your core.
I encourage you to work through the questions in a sequential order initially as they follow William's transformation, from a Restless Executive to a Courageous Leader.
The questions have been designed to build on each other, leading you towards transformation, should you choose to ‘go there’.
I also highly recommend that you invest in a journal or notebook to take notes, as you embark on this journey of self discovery and reflection.
You may also choose to dip in and out of the book on a regular basis, exploring its many practical tips, tools and techniques that can help you transform the way you live, lead, and show up in the world.
Let the journey begin....
PART 1
The Disconnect
‘There is a gift in your restlessness – discover it, for it holds the key to transformation.’
Chapter 1
A Moment of Realization
It was the evening of the annual ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ awards dinner. A glittering black-tie affair held at The Dorchester hotel, London, attended by over 2000 employees gathered from Gant Foster's European offices. There were representatives from all levels of the business, including board members and non-executive directors, many of whom William Cleverley, the company's Operations Director, looked up to and whose admiration he sought.
William had been asked to present an award. It was his big chance, an opportunity to shine but the importance of the event was making him unusually nervous, as he adjusted his bow-tie for the umpteenth time. This was one of the most prestigious events in the Gant Foster annual calendar and until now William had simply been too busy to give it due attention. It was only yesterday that he'd so much as thought about what to say and had haphazardly drawn up his speech. He was now just moments away from being called to the stage.
William fidgeted in his seat, as Melissa Jacobs, the European Marketing Director, presented the award for the most Innovative Advertising Idea. His category for the Rising Star Award was up next. He sighed a long breath of desperation.
Watching Melissa, he marvelled at how clearly she spoke, concisely explaining the history of the award and acknowledging all the entrants for their brilliant ideas. ‘Well it's been an incredibly close call, but I am