Believe it or not, there was a time when the economy was predictable. Now it’s more of a distant relic than a familiar memory. Market crashes and corrections were the exception at the time, while repetition of tried-and-true business theories were the norm (think Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule). As a result, strategic planning became … Read More
Reframing the 2020 Black Swan Event to Create New Opportunities
RELAX, REFLECT, RETHINK As I write this, my team is sheltered in place, but how we choose to spend this time could be a game changer for me personally and for our firm. Using this time to Relax, Reflect, Rethink may be the gift of this Black Swan occurrence, in spite of its gravity. Very … Read More
The Role of Emotions and System Thinking in Crisis-Based Decisions
As I looked at the empty streets of New York on my way to an almost deserted airport, the gravity of the current pandemic was not lost on me. The anxiety and sadness is palpable. Every decision made by our government, our clients, and our friends seem to happen within the context of tremendous emotion. … Read More
Leadership Assessment: 8 Traits of Executives Who Will Abandon Your Organization
Recently we learned of an executive who had abandoned his role in a financial service firm just months after being promoted to lead one of the divisions. The timing was horrible; upturning the talent development and succession plans and placing the entire organization at risk. At Psynet Group, after conducting over a thousand assessments, we’ve … Read More
Can You Predict a Winner from Assessing Sales Styles?
(Lesson 6 From 1,000 Assessments) In 1969, Psynet Group was founded primarily on the ability to help companies select sales people. At that time, we used an assessment that measured motivations. Over the years, our assessments have gone through several iterations and refinements and evolved into Psybil®️. As a highly predictive platform for hiring and … Read More
Imposter Syndrome Doesn’t Have to Kill Your Career
(Lesson 5 From 1,000 Assessments) –I sat across from one of the most successful people I have ever met and watched his eyes well up with tears. I had just told him that his assessment revealed that he perceived himself as an imposter. After a few moments of silence, he revealed that he’s been waiting … Read More
How S.U.D.s Can Wash Out Your Company, Your Career, or Your Life
In the 2002 movie Unfaithful, Connie Summer (played by Diane Lane) is frazzled searching for a taxi in the SoHo neighborhood of New York. She slips on the sidewalk and scrapes her knee. An attractive man sees her fall and invites her into his apartment. As she contemplates whether or not to accept his help, a … Read More
The Real Life “Wendys”: Our Experience with Coaching and Finance (Part 2)
In part one we responded to the HFMWeek statements on the prevalence of coaches in the financial service industry and their take on the unique traits of financial service professionals. This section we will talk about why financial services can be such a difficult career despite the high salaries. Downside of the Profession HFMWeek Expert … Read More
The Real Life “Wendys”: Our Experience with Coaching and Finance (Part 1)
Approximately 5 years ago, Psynet Group started working with financial service companies including private equity, banks, and hedge funds. We continue to get an education from these clients as we add value, and find them to be as interesting and fun as they are challenging. When we began this work, we had no idea that … Read More