Articles by Gary Jordan, Ph.D. on ArticleSnatch.com

Strengths-Based Coaching: Creating Real Impact for Clients

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:12:37 -0500

Why did you get into coaching? One of the most likely reasons is that you wanted to have a real, positive and lasting impact on the lives of your clients. Unfortunately, many of the approaches that coaches currently use in their work don’t have this kind of lasting effect, for the simple reason that they focus on what clients currently don’t do well, as opposed to what they do. It sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? After all, the client has come to you, the coach, because they have an issue in their life (or a host of issues) they want to change. Change, by definition, calls for something new. Surely there can’t be any harm in helping clients figure out new skills that can help them change their circumstances. Well, yes and no. A coaching approach based on the usual method of trying to strengthen these acquired skills – i.e., things that don’t come naturally to them – may have an impact on a client’s life, but it is likely to be short lived and superficial. (It’s also, quite honestly, the kind of stuff you find in self-help books and magazines that want to help you, essentially “become someone else. **End Summary** Topics: coaching]]> strengths-based coaching]]> Perceptual Styles]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. For free information on how to succeed as an entrepreneur or coach, create a thriving business and build your bottom line doing more of what you love, visit http://www.YourTalentAdvan

Psychological Style Theories: What They Are, and Why They Matter

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:37:54 -0500

We all know that different people see the world differently. Sometimes we find those differences appealing. At other times, the differences between ourselves and others are an irritating source of conflict. But rarely, in either case, do we take the time to understand just what it is that accounts for the fundamental diversity of human perspectives. Psychological style theories were designed to help us make sense of this diversity by grouping people by commonalities according to their habits, behaviors, and priorities. This, in turn, can help us to increase our appreciation for the differences between ourselves and others and decrease the amount of conflict we experience as a result of these differences. Most style theories are based on the four temperaments that were introduced by Hippocrates, modified by Plato, and further developed by Galen – all before 190 AD. **End Summary** Topics: psychological styles]]> psychology]]> diversity]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. For free information on how to succeed as an entrepreneur or coach, create a thriving business and build your bottom line doing more of what you love, visit www.YourTalentAdvantage.co

Teamwork and Psychology: Insights from 30+ Years of Business Coaching

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:47:35 -0500

What does it take for 800 people to work together on a project with minimum friction? Back in 1983, that’s exactly what my partner Lynda-Ross and I aimed to figure out. When I fist met Lynda-Ross, she was managing a very large multi-year systems development project for a major corporation, and she was searching for tools to help the people working on the project stay motivated, reduce conflict, and perform to the best of their capabilities. Through my years of college and graduate school, I had been fascinated by theories about psychological styles—such as those posited by Carl Jung—but none of the theories I studied fit my personal experience. Beginning with my doctoral dissertation and continuing through 18 years in private practice, I had worked to create a practical, useable psychological styles theory that integrated internal experience with observable behavior. Lynda-Ross brought me in as a consultant to the project to help the management staff learn tools and techniques to improve teamwork and optimize the talents of the existing staff. The more we observed and worked with people, the more we discovered. **End Summary** Topics: business]]> psychology]]> coaching]]> Perceptual Styles]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. For free information on how to succeed as an entrepreneur or coach, create a thriving business and build your bottom line doing more of what you love, visit www.YourTalentAdvantage.c

The Entrepreneurâs Journey: Finding Your Place in the World

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:35:57 -0500

It sounds easy – knowing who you are. It should be a given, right? Knowing and understanding who you are is a lifetime process that begins in childhood, on the playground, when you begin the process of learning just where you fit in. But where you fit in as an entrepreneur is a whole different question! Most people start a business because they have an area of expertise. If they’re in tune with who they really are and what makes them happy, chances are, this area of expertise is also an area of deep personal passion. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs take the time for self-discovery once they start their business – and wonder why they’re not happy actually running their business, day in and day out.. After all, the focus of the business is something they love, and the products and services reflect that passion. Shouldn’t that be enough? Well, actually, no – for one simple reason. Starting a business means that you’ll wind up wearing all kinds of different ‘hats’, playing a multitude of different roles, from accountant to marketing director, personnel director to chief financial officer. **End Summary** Topics: ACI for Entrepreneurs]]> Your Talent Advantage]]> entrepreneur]]> success]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. For free information on how to succeed as an entrepreneur or coach, create a thriving business and build your bottom line doing more of what you love, visit www.YourTalentAdvantage.co

Working Hand-in-Hand: The Importance of People in Your Business

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:19:01 -0400

It seems to go without saying – people are the most important part of any business. Their strengths, their contributions, their ideas, are essential. But working with those strengths, recognizing those contributions and ideas, isn’t always easy. Every person is different, but when it comes to business, we all have the same goal – to succeed. You want your business to succeed, your client wants to succeed and anyone vested in your business – your support team – is rooting for success as well. The question is, how do we all come together in the most productive, effective way? How do we put everyone’s strengths to the forefront of a particular goal or task to get the desired results? We come together. We work hand in hand. We recognize every person’s natural abilities and we work with those abilities to get the best results. The importance of YOU YOU are the center of your business. You are its heart and soul, its pulse, its reason for being. Your contributions, your ideas, your ambitions and dreams are set to reality only by YOU. So how do you put your best foot forward and keep it there? With our help. **End Summary** Topics: ACI]]> entrepreneurs]]> communication]]> connection]]> success]]> busi]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that speciali

Psychology and Leadership: Flow and Goals

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:43:29 -0400

In previous articles about the Perceptual Styles Theory and leadership, we examined the five qualities of effective leaders, regardless of Perceptual Style. Now, we’ll look at the unique leadership qualities of each specific Perceptual Style, along with some real world examples of each.* The Flow Leadership Style Leaders with the Flow Perceptual Style challenge the generally accepted meaning of the word ‘leadership.’ They suggest, encourage, and endorse specific actions; with a word here and a comment there, they gently nudge the direction of events. People with the Flow style tend to seek input from everyone involved, build consensus, and secure buy-in before taking action. They value community and create it around them. Because those with the Flow style lead so subtly and unobtrusively, others are often unaware they have been led. Flow leaders attract followers through listening and advising; people follow them because it feels right to do so. Flow leaders often gravitate to “behind the scenes” roles and shine the spotlight on their followers instead. **End Summary** Topics: psychology]]> leadership]]> business]]> coaching]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. For free information on how to succeed as an entrepreneur or coach, create a thriving business and build your bottom line doing more of what you love, visit www.yourtalentadvantage.co

Perceptual Style, Psychology, and Leadership

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:01:37 -0400

Leadership as a reciprocal relationship in which one person points in a direction and others follow. Below, we have outlined five qualities of effective leaders. Those qualities are: 1. Their behaviors build on their natural strengths. 2. They are aware of their limitations, and seek input from people with perspectives different from their own. 3. They are aware that any group contains people who see the world differently than they do, and they find ways to communicate effectively to everyone. 4. They recognize the talents of others, and seek to build teams based on complementary skill sets and perspectives. 5. They learn how to ‘borrow’ successful leadership techniques from leaders who are different from them—and use those techniques in a way that’s all their own. Previously, we took a look at the first two qualities in greater detail. In this article we’ll delve into the final three. 3. They are aware that any group contains people who see the world differently than they do, and they find ways to communicate effectively to everyone. People receive information differently depending upon their Perceptual Style, and their style also informs how they best receive communication. **End Summary** Topics: leadership]]> business]]> coaching]]> psychology]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. For more information, visit http://www.yourtalentadvantage.com

Finding Your Marketing Comfort Zone

Tue, 24 May 2011 00:18:55 -0400

So, you’ve got something to say that you think others will find valuable. You’ve created an information based product and coaching services to enhance and optimize its value. And people are knocking down your doors to buy! Unfortunately, while the first part may be true, without a lot of effort the second rarely is. The key to getting people to buy what you have to offer is marketing, and if you have been working on attracting people to your products and services already, you know there is no lack of vehicles available on the internet to do just that. But that’s part of the problem. There are so many ways available to let people know about what you have to offer it is difficult to know what the best one is. More to the point, there is little out there to help you discover which one is the best one for you. Most successful internet based marketers that I know of have found their success through a hit-and-miss process that has cost them a lot of time and money. **End Summary** Topics: psychology]]> perceptual styles theory]]> marketing]]> small business growth]]> small business]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents, visit www.ACIforCoaches.com or www.ACIforEntrepreneurs.com.

Introverts and Extraverts: They Arenât What You Think

Mon, 09 May 2011 23:29:46 -0400

Often, when people talk about introverts and extraverts, they think in terms of whether people enjoy social interactions. In fact, the true definitions of introversion and extraversion have to do with where a person finds meaning – and for this reason, knowing which you are can help you make life decisions that leave you happier and more fulfilled. I was surfing the web the other day and came across a site that defined introverts as people who do not enjoy social situations and who are more comfortable alone. Now, if the author had prefaced the word ‘introvert’ with the word ‘social’, then you wouldn’t be reading this article because I wouldn’t have written it. The site purported to be describing psychological introversion but pitched products and services geared specifically to a social definition of introvert, so my hackles rose and I jumped upon my soap box to address what is one of my pet peeves. To state it clearly and unambiguously: Psychological introversion and extraversion are not measures of how comfortable you are (or aren’t) in social situations. **End Summary** Topics: introvert]]> extravert]]> psychology]]> perceptual styles theory]]> perceptual styles]]> introversion]]> extraversion]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents, visit www.ACIforCoaches.com or www.ACIforEntrepreneurs.com.

Relationships and Marriage: A Perceptual Styles Perspective

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:28:48 -0500

The Perceptual Styles Theory (PST) describes six distinct ways that different people see the world, what they value, and how they communicate, so—as one of the originators of this psychological theory—it’s only natural that people often ask me which style would make the best match for them in a romantic relationship. Alas, the mysteries of love are too deep for any one factor to determine success or failure. The truth is, two people with any of the possible Perceptual Style (PS) combinations can and do fall in love, stay in love, and create lasting and meaningful relationships. That said, all relationships face challenges, and PST can provide useful insights into the challenges any two styles are likely to encounter. These challenges fall into four major categories: 1. Birds of a feather flock together. 2. Since we’re neighbors, lets be friends. 3. Opposites attract. 4. I understand the words you are speaking, but I have no idea what you mean. Birds of a Feather Flock Together People with the same PS are often attracted to each other, and with good reason. **End Summary** Topics: relationships]]> marriage]]> Perceptual Styles]]> psychology]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that speciali

Business Development: Getting the Most Out of a Mastermind Group

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 23:14:33 -0500

I first encountered the concept of mastermind groups reading Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill back in the early 80’s, but it wasn’t until recently that mastermind groups really took off. Now they’re everywhere, and they have become an essential part of business development for internet marketing. Why? Because while the internet has made it possible for individuals to market to an unlimited number of people, it has also made it impossible for any single individual to keep up with every new innovation or technology available to create and run a successful internet-based business. Hence, we need the input of others in our field to stay abreast of the latest developments. Mastermind groups have created a unique and highly effective way to do this. What’s more, participation is much easier than it was thirty years ago, as low-cost or no-cost teleconferencing allows us to create mastermind groups with virtually anyone, anywhere. Despite the differences between today and thirty years ago, one very important aspect of mastermind groups remains the same—it’s the people that make the group, and the mastermind that’s right for you will strike a balance between entrepreneurs who are similar to you and those who are dissimilar. **End Summary** Topics: business development]]> internet marketing]]> masterminds]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that speciali

Business and Communication: Almost, but Not Quite

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:00:25 -0500

The six Perceptual Styles describe six psychologically unique ways of perceiving the world. The theory behind Perceptual Styles states that certain Styles are more similar than others. These “neighboring styles” may use similar types of language, but that doesn’t mean they mean the same thing. While Styles that are polar opposites are usually aware of differences in communication, the differences between neighboring Styles can be easily overlooked—often with humorous or disastrous results. That’s because neighboring Perceptual Styles will often use the same or very similar words to communicate a very different intent. The confusion arises from the fact that when each hears certain key words, he or she ascribes to them the meaning they would have intended, rather than what the person speaking (or writing) actually meant. A classic example is the difference between how people with the Perceptual Style known as Vision and the one known as Goals talk about the future. Both of these Styles are generally oriented towards the future. The difference between them is how far out into the future they focus. For Vision, that focus is a distant future. For Goals, the focus is far more immediate. **End Summary** Topics: business]]> communication]]> Perceptual Styles]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. For more information, visit http://www.yourtalentadvantage.com.

Business Development: Perceptual Styles Theory in Action

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:48:53 -0500

At Vega Behavioral Consulting, we help businesses unleash the power of teams by fitting the right people to the right tasks—and showing people powerful skills for understanding themselves and others. It’s all based on the Perceptual Styles Theory, which holds that all people, regardless of race, class or culture, fall into one of six unique Perceptual Styles that has everything to do with who they are, what they value, and how they see the world. Early in my career a clinical psychologist in solo private practice, I was overwhelmed by many of the business functions I had to perform for which I had no natural talent. As a corporate executive, my business partner, Lynda-Ross, had experienced the disasters that accompany projects that fail to put the right people in the wrong roles. After working together for a number of years in corporate consulting, we knew that Perceptual Styles Theory could revolutionize the way that small businesses operated, too. But in order to launch this new business, we had to learn many of the things we had worked so hard to teach our own clients. We call this ‘Living the Theory. **End Summary** Topics: business development]]> Perceptual Styles]]> Vega Behavioral Consulting]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. For more information, visit http://www.yourtalentadvantage.com.

Business Development: What is Perceptual Styles Theory? And How Does It Work?

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:43:08 -0500

Being a lifelong student of human behavior, I’ve always been interested in understanding the differences between people, including what they value, the way they see the world, the conclusions they draw, and the actions they take. Psychological style theories offer the explanation that everyone falls into distinct groups with distinctly different worldviews. These theories have always made sense to me because they provide an alternative explanation to the simplistic “I’m right and you’re wrong” attitude that characterizes so much of human interaction. For a long time, I was puzzled that others weren’t as taken with these theories as I was. Until I realized something important: while people will agree with the description of their own and other’s style, they see no practical application. The comment I often hear is usually something along the lines of “This is all accurate and interesting, but so what? What can I do with this information?” When we work with an entrepreneur through our ACI for Entrepreneur’s program, the first thing we do is determine their Perceptual Style, via the Perceptual Style Assessment (PSA). This information reveals their natural strengths and abilities and their unique entrepreneurial style. **End Summary** Topics: business development]]> Perceptual Styles Theory]]> coaching]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary M. Jordan, Ph.D.: With a PhD and MA in clinical psychology, Gary Jordan is a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd, where he has been advising and mentoring people in all areas of life for the past 20 years. Gary is the visionary behind the Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. For free information on how to succeed as an entrepreneur or coach, create a thriving business and build your bottom line doing more of what you love, visit www.ACIforCoaches.com and www.ACIforEntrepreneurs.com

Communication Styles in the Workplace: Goals vs. Flow

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:14:28 -0400

As coaches, we spend a lot of time helping people understand the distinctions between the six different Perceptual Styles. Why? Because these distinctions are essential to understanding conflicts that arise in the workplace (and everywhere else, too). A classic example is a corporate client we had that was in serious danger of bankruptcy. They hired a “turn-around” specialist who had the Goals Perceptual Style. His initial plan involved some severe “reductions in force” and the shutting down of all projects and lines of business that were not part of the organization’s core. The time frame he outlined was aggressive. In explaining the Goals Perceptual Style, I often use a military analogy: If you tell a person with the Goals Style that the objective is to “take that hill”, they will immediately march forward, straight to the top of the hill, dispatching any resistance they meet along the way, and perhaps even sustain heavy losses to their own platoon in the process. While the example is simplistic, the image conveys the Goals approach—direct, immediate, tenacious, determined, and fully focused on the objective. **End Summary** Topics: Communication]]> Perceptual Styles]]> workplace]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary M. Jordan, Ph.D.: With a PhD and MA in clinical psychology, Gary Jordan is a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd, where he has been advising and mentoring people in all areas of life for the past 20 years. Gary is the visionary behind the Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. For free information on how to succeed as an entrepreneur or coach, create a thriving business and build your bottom line doing more of what you love, visit www.ACIforCoaches.com and www.ACIforEntrepreneurs.com.

Relationships and Communication: Sender vs. Receiver

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:18:34 -0400

In Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book, Outliers, the author writes: “Western communication has what linguists call a “transmitter orientation” – that is, it is considered the responsibility of the speaker to communicate ideas clearly and unambiguously. . . But Korea, like many Asian countries, is receiver oriented. It is up to the listener to make sense of what is being said.” p. 216 As far as the 6 innate Perceptual Styles go, there’s a block I’ve seen over and over again regarding communication between the Activity and Flow Styles, and I believe it can be explained by this concept. Activity is clearly transmitter oriented, as people with this Style use plenty of contextual information to ensure that the receiver understands what’s being communicated. People with the Flow Style, on the other hand, use a subtle and nuanced combination of words that requires the listener to work to fully understand what is being conveyed. Unfortunately, this difference in orientation is a set-up for conflict no matter which direction the communication is moving in. When Activity is talking to Flow, Flow quickly interprets the meaning of the message and can become bored and/or offended by what they perceive as Activity’s excessive verbiage. **End Summary** Topics: relationships]]> communication]]> Perceptual Styles]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary M. Jordan, Ph.D.: With a PhD and MA in clinical psychology, Gary Jordan is a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd, where he has been advising and mentoring people in all areas of life for the past 20 years. Gary is the visionary behind the Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. For free information on how to succeed as an entrepreneur or coach, create a thriving business and build your bottom line doing more of what you love, visit www.ACIforCoaches.com and www.ACIforEntrepreneurs.com.

The 6 Perceptual Styles, What We Value and How We See the World: The Vision Style

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:24:30 -0400

Kathy’s Perceptual Style is Vision. She perceives the world as a place of infinite possibilities full of options and opportunities all of which build toward her vision of the future. She is an explorer and adventurer who is not thrown by surprises or the unexpected. Kathy sees life as a constant challenge to which she must react quickly and instinctively. What moves her most is the opportunity to have impact, make a difference, and leave her mark. In a world of possibilities, she is excited about turning them into realities. Kathy faces the realities of a situation with serious intent and with an optimistic perspective that a solution will be found and confidence that if one is not, there are always other alternatives to explore. For her, mistakes are an inevitable part of life to be learned from. Life is an exciting, chaotic, and fast moving adventure that requires improvising and rapid ad-hoc decision making to take advantage of all the possibilities and directions available. Kathy intuitively sees new directions that others do not and makes the most of this advantage by moving decisively. **End Summary** Topics: Perceptual Styles]]> psychology]]> business]]> relationships]]> ACI for Coaches]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. For more information, visit http://www.yourtalentadvantage.com .

The 6 Perceptual Styles, What We Value and How We See the World: The Goals Style

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:22:05 -0400

Karen’s Perceptual Style is Goals. She perceives the world as a series of tasks that must be completed at all costs. Nothing else has higher priority. She thrives on challenges and opportunities posed by immediate problems that need solving and believes that there is one right way to solve them. She sees a world of clear, simple options, with little ambiguity and little gray. She knows that the right way is the simplest and most direct one. When the central issues have been addressed the problem is solved; the details are unimportant and will take care of themselves. Karen distrusts complexity, subtlety, and solutions that evolve slowly over time. The world is difficult but not complex, and she is puzzled and irritated when people talk about shading and nuance. She believes that such talk obscures what is important, and she likes to keep things simple so she can focus on what really matters. She knows that if a problem needs a solution, there is no time like the present to solve it and no reason to worry about politics and irrelevant distractions. Even when the available choices are not appealing problems must be dealt with quickly and resolutely. **End Summary** Topics: Perceptual Styles]]> psychology]]> business]]> relationships]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. For more information, visit http://www.yourtalentadvantage.com .

The 6 Perceptual Styles, What We Value and How We See the World: The Flow Person

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 01:25:21 -0400

Bill’s Perceptual Style is Flow. He perceives a world of unity and relationships in which every piece is connected to every other piece; a rich world where the parts fit together and support and nourish each other. He trusts in the flow of experience and believes what is important and necessary will emerge as a matter of course as it reflects the underlying harmony and cooperation inherent in the world. He knows the relationships he sees are not always obvious, especially to others, and that they reveal themselves only through his patient careful attention, and even then only slowly, in hints, intimations, and whispers. Bill creates and sustains powerful but subtle relationships that form the glue of a community. He maintains the balance between the myriad elements of his world through constant attention and tending. His attention, while caring and supportive, is subtle and not readily apparent to those around him as he acts indirectly, behind the scenes, and outside the spotlight. Belonging is critical to him, but being the center of attention is not his style. **End Summary** Topics: : Perceptual Styles]]> psychology]]> business]]> relationships]]> Vega Role Facilities Theory]]> ACI for Coaches]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents: www.aciforcoaches.com

Living Beyond the Statistic and Claiming Your Talent Advantage

Thu, 27 May 2010 00:57:06 -0400

“People are happiest and most satisfied in life when they are engaged in actions and activities that draw upon their natural capacities, skills, and abilities.” It’s true, and this is the sixth principle of our Perceptual Style Theory, or PST, to help us make sense of the everyday differences people experience between themselves and others. To review, here are the first 6 principles of PST: 1. People perceive the world differently. 2. Differences in perception result in psychological diversity, and psychological diversity is the most profound diversity there is. 3. Perceptual differences can be grouped into 6 unique Perceptual Styles. 4. Everyone believes that their way of experiencing the world is the right way (and until they learn differently – the only way!). 5. A person’s Perceptual Style is innate and determines what natural capacities, skills, and abilities they have. 6. People are happiest and most satisfied in life when they are engaged in actions and activities that draw upon their natural capacities, skills, and abilities. Building your daily actions around your natural skills – literally claiming Your Talent Advantage – is what the sixth principle is all about. **End Summary** Topics: skills]]> talents]]> success]]> life success]]> success in life]]> personal growth]]> perceptual styles]]> personality theory]]> perceptual style theory]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. www.aciforcoaches.com

My Way or the Highway: The Power of Perception

Sat, 15 May 2010 01:49:08 -0400

It is impossible to experience how other people perceive the world. While you can (and should!) gain an intellectual understanding and a sincere appreciation of perceptual differences, you cannot have the actual experience of someone else’s perception. This is the topic of the fourth article in our series of articles on the seven principles of Perceptual Style Theory or PST. The fourth principle of PST is: Everyone believes that their way of experiencing the world is the right way and (until they learn differently) the only way! When people first learn about their Perceptual Style, they have a “wow” experience. As they read the description of their Perceptual Style they are surprised by how well the description fits them. It opens their eyes to things about themselves that they take for granted. They also experience a sense of deep validation. It really is an amazing experience. It is vital to fully understanding and using your natural skills that you have confidence that your way of perceiving the world is the right way. **End Summary** Topics: skills]]> talents]]> success]]> life success]]> success in life]]> personal growth]]> perceptual styles]]> personality theory]]> perceptual style theory]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. Heâs a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. www.aciforcoaches.com

Exploring Psychological Diversity: Social Differences Explained

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:37:38 -0400

Diversity is all around us. Most often people associate the word with differences in ethnicity, language, gender, values, sexual orientation, culture, economic class, or religion. The news talks about it, companies provide training about it, churches offer symposiums about it, and universities have curriculums about it. But psychological diversity is often overlooked. That’s probably because it is the one very real diversity that can’t easily be discerned by looking at someone or through a simple conversation. The important role psychological diversity plays in behavioral science is one of the seven principles of Perceptual Style Theory or PST. Exploring principle #2 of PST: Principle #2: Differences in perception result in psychological diversity, and psychological diversity is the most profound diversity there is. People’s psychology is built on their perception of the world around them. People make decisions about how to be and act in the world based on what they perceive. Because perception is different from person to person, people’s psychology is also different. This perceptual difference results in a psychological diversity that is the most important kind of diversity because it is hard wired, not changeable, and not overtly apparent. **End Summary** Topics: skills]]> talents]]> success]]> life success]]> success in life]]> Perceptual Style]]> Personal growth]]> personality theory]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. Heâs the co-founder of Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. www.aciforcoaches.com

Is Your Life Messing With Your Mind? Letting Your Natural Skills Take the Lead

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:50:19 -0400

The late Jim Rohn was once asked by a group of psychiatrists what single thing he thought most messed with the mind. His answer was “not becoming all that you can be”. Building on his answer, I would add that it is impossible to become all that you can be if you are trying to build your life success on acquired rather than natural skills. Everyone is born with innate potential for a unique set of capacities, skills, and abilities. Unfortunately, very often this potential is left undeveloped, as people seek to build their lives and especially their careers on capacities and skills that are outside their innate potentials. These “acquired capacities” represent skills and abilities that are foreign to who a person naturally is. When I left private practice where virtually every client is unhappy with their lives, I was surprised to discover that many of those outside of therapy also disliked what they did for a living. A recent article I read put the percentage of people who don’t like their job at 60%. After 20 years of coaching individuals and researching the issue, I would have guessed that the percentage was even higher. **End Summary** Topics: skills]]> talents]]> success]]> life success]]> success in life]]> VRFT Perceptual Style]]> Talent Advantage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. Heâs the co-founder of Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. www.aciforcoaches.com

What Are You Waiting For? The Time is Now: Claim Your Talent Advantage

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:18:59 -0400

When I speak to groups about Talent Advantage I always begin by clearly defining everything the concept encompasses. Simply put, Your Talent Advantage is the idea that each of us is born with a unique set of natural skills. When we recognize and develop these skills into their full potential we create our “Talent Advantage.” When speaking, I always receive smiles and knowing nods from the audience. It seems that we are all familiar with the concept in some shape or form, and more importantly the concept resonates with what we know to be true. Yet the amazing thing to me is how many people “understand” the concept and yet fail to truly live it. Claiming Your Talent Advantage and using it to experience a fulfilled life are more than theoretical concepts for me. I have spent over 30 years learning about, researching, and applying Talent Advantage to the lives of others as well as my own. I fully understand the difficulties involved with fully living the theory. It seems this concept is much easier to describe conceptually than it is to transform into reality. **End Summary** Topics: skills]]> talents]]> educational system]]> success]]> life success]]> success in life]]> Perceptual Style]]> Talent Advantage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. Heâs the co-founder of Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. www.aciforcoaches.com

I Need More Time: Better Coaching Techniques For a Bigger Impact

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:21:09 -0500

Those of us who have taken up coaching as a career do so because of a desire to have impact on people – to make a difference. Every professional coach knows that significant change takes time and, unfortunately, time is a resource that is becoming more precious every day. This was poignantly reflected in a recent one-question survey we conducted. We asked coaches to respond to the following question: “What’s your biggest challenge in achieving the level of impact you want for your clients?” The number one response? “I need more time with my clients to have impact in their lives.” This response was voiced in different ways, “clients can’t stop long enough to change,” or “clients are in such a hurry for results that they won’t stay focused,” and “clients don’t stay long enough to benefit from our work.” No matter how it was said, the bottom line is time! The truth is we all get the same 24 hours every day. No more and no less. People find the time for things they really want to do. **End Summary** Topics: Professional coaching]]> coaching tools]]> coaching skills]]> coaching techniques]]> skills]]> talents]]> coaching assessment]]> coaching assessments]]> assessments f]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology â Berkeley. Heâs the co-founder of Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. www.aciforcoaches.com