Texas Business Honors Program
Authentic Leadership: Creating an Impactful Career
Presented by Iris Hsu, BHP Alumnus
March 24, 2014
“Intelligence is not a privilege.
It's a gift, to be used
for the good of mankind.”
Dr. Otto Octavius to Spider-Man
Agenda
Authentic Leadership
• Personal Introduction
• Learning from Others
• Creating Impactful Careers
Bonus Material
• Interviewing with Confidence
• Transformative Leadership Cycle
Personal Introduction
Personal Introduction
Education
• University of Texas at Austin, BBA Honors Plan & MIS
• Fuller Theological Seminary, MA Global Leadership (In Progress)
• Various Courses in Positive & Developmental Psychology
Information Technology Industry Careers
• 2000-2012: Hewlett-Packard Company
• 2012-2014: Quinnox, Inc. & Consultant to Waste Management, Inc.
Current Global Leadership & Involvement
• Quinnox, Inc. – Regional GM and Head of Leadership Development
• Naturholic, Inc. – President and Owner
• Oil Chem Technologies, LLC – Board Member and Director
• BIGCO, LLP – Partner
• Berger Hsu, LLC – Owner
Personal Introduction
US Patents
• Patent 6,043,391: Anionic Surfactants Based on Alkene Sulfonic Acid
• Patent Pending: Water Based Nail Polish Remover
Passion for Human Flourishing
• Scientifically-Based Branch of Psychology Seeking to Enable Human
Thriving at Individual, Organizational, Societal and Global Levels
• International Positive Psychology Association – Donor and Member
Integrating BHP Experience with Vocation
• Impactful Educational Experience & Lifetime Relationships
• Business Preparation
• Transition from School to Work Life
Positive potential operates best in the
innovative tension between the today’s
reality and tomorrow’s vision.
Learning from Others
“Insanity: Doing the same thing
over and over again and expecting
different results.”
Albert Einstein
What Patterns Have We Seen?
Think of people that have been working for 15-20 years.
1. How many of them would tell you that they have their dream
jobs, fulfilling their childhood visions and full capabilities?
• Generally a rare find
• Those that have it are leading focused lives
2. What have most of them been chasing as goals?
• Money
• Power
• Fame
3. Why do you think motivates these goals?
• Proving something to themselves or the world
• From a psychological perspective, indicative of unresolved
inner issues
Interesting Facts about Money
We talk about it, but can we really buy happiness?
• Studies show that people at every income level felt
they would be happier if they were in the next higher
income level.
Does happiness really increase with income?
• Time Magazine study conducted in the US found that
happiness and income increased until an annual income of
$50k. After $50k, increased income resulted in no
appreciable effect on happiness.
• A 50 year study by Diener and Seligman analyzed a 50-year
trend in American GNP and our average life satisfaction.
GNP tripled, while average life satisfaction stayed constant flat line.
Reference: Baumgardner & Crothers 2009, Positive Psychology
Key Takeaways on Mistakes to Avoid
• Money in and of itself is not a bad thing. We need it for
daily living and to drive positive change. In fact, we often
need large quantities to drive large changes. The point is
how you think about or utilize money.
• By the way, money is almost never an issue if you create an
impactful career. It either comes as a natural by-product,
or it is decided to be a non-priority.
• Neither money, nor power, nor fame will bring you
fulfillment in a career … or in life.
Reference: Baumgardner & Crothers 2009, Positive Psychology
Authentic leaders ultimately need to
bring something of themselves into
their context.
It’s not just about following a formula
or someone else’s footsteps.
Beyond profit and promotions,
there must be a vision for the people
and the world.
Creating Impactful Careers
Your impactful career, and even
life purpose, is found where your
greatest gifts meet the world’s
greatest needs.
Identity Resonance
• Key to Vocational Fulfillment is Identity Resonance
• Does My Career Align to Who I Am?
Chosen Responses to
Life Experiences
(Acquired Abilities)
Innate Qualities
(Natural Abilities)
Your Unique
Set of
Abilities
Creative
Artistic
Organizational
Resilience
GENERAL CATEGORIES OF ABILITIES
Cognitive
Physical
Attitude
Athletic
Intellect
Strength
Logic & Analysis
Stamina
Relational
Leadership
Communication
Interpersonal
Natural & Acquired Abilities
NATURAL ABILITIES
Creative
Acting
Creating Characters
Communication through Drama
Ability to Memorize
Uninhibited around People
Good Voice
Musical Abilities
Visualization
Cognitive
Achievement Orientation
Appreciation of Diversity
Desire for Excellence
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Commitment & Loyalty
Sense of Optimism
Tolerant View of Others
Reflective Thinking
Physical
Determination
Resilience
Individual Sports
Group Sports
Dance & Movement
Building & Constructing
Ability to Create Models
Stamina
Relational
Ability to Inspire Others
Building Teamwork
Sense of Responsibility
Organizing & Planning Events
Building Teamwork
Communication
Ability to Identify with Others
Ability to Make Friends Easily
ACQUIRED ABILITIES
Creative
Graphics Design
Presentation Design
Public Speaking
Writing
Organizational Design
Ability to Handle Criticism
Sense of Integrity
Creative Design for Projects
Visualizing Designs
Cognitive
Self-Discipline
Studying & Research
Interpretation
Analysis
Pattern Recognition
Critical Strategic Thinking
Developing Others
Financial Management
Strategic Thinking
Physical
Goal Setting & Finishing
Perseverance
Concentration
Adaptation
Construction/Repairs
Individual Sports
Group Sports
Discipline
Time Management
Relational
Motivating Others
Managing Group Dynamics
Vision & Pace Setting
Vision & Pace Setting
Planning & Organization
Public Speaking
Facilitating Meetings
Building Relationships
Coaching & Counseling Others
Reference: Clinton 1998, Unlocking Your Giftedness
Workshop Exercise: Directions
For this exercise, please use the MS Word handout. An
example is provided in slide 19 for your reference.
I. List of Natural and Acquired Abilities
• Look at the list of abilities on slide 17 (or think of your
own)
• List at least 3 of your natural abilities and 3 acquired
abilities
II. Integration of Natural and Acquired Abilities
• Utilizing the shapes next to each ability, draw a diagram of
how your abilities intersect with one another, or how they
can interact in scenarios. This will be similar to a complex
Venn diagram.
Reference: Baumgardner & Crothers 2009, Positive Psychology
Workshop Exercise: Personal Example
I.
List of Natural and Acquired Abilities
Natural Abilities
II.
Acquired Abilities
Leadership
Management & Motivation
Communication
Interpersonal Skills
Intellect
Perseverance
Integration of Natural and Acquired Abilities
Intellect
Management & Motivation
Innovation Efforts
Main Convergence Point
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership
Communication
Perseverance
Workshop Exercise: Takeaways
Earlier, we talked about how authentic leaders bring something of themselves
into their context.
After you have completed the exercise, step back and look at your drawing.
Main Convergence Point
• Look at the areas where many/all of your abilities converge. These are key
areas that will likely bring Identity Resonance into your career.
• Consider/Create career paths where your greatest gifts meet the world’s
greatest needs.
Never Limit Yourself
• Any strengths you have can be utilized to bring fulfillment in your
career/life and the world around you.
• Consider any areas in which you have innovative ideas, drive, and visions.
Reference: Baumgardner & Crothers 2009, Positive Psychology
Summary: Where Should “I” Focus?
How to Hit the Ground Running & Sustain
Integration: Find the intersection points for your abilities
Innovation: Focus on Completing, Not Competing
Intentional Investments: Envision Long-Term Goals Everyday
Time
Energy
Resources
Closing Remarks
We have a beautiful journey ahead of us. It is about maximizing our potential as
individuals, as teams, as companies, as societies, and as a driving force for
humanity’s future. This is a lofty goal, and it is those that dream big that achieve it.
When we seek to drive positive change, there will be some resistance because it is
shifting the status quo. There will be a tension that exists between the current
state and the envisioned state. Make the most of that. Embrace it.
Transformational leadership finds its full potential in tension, existing in the paradox
of both the current reality and the inspired vision of what ought to be in its place.
Those that feel and live within this tension will come across challenges, but they are
destined for a fulfilling and purposeful career, and even, life.
Your Friend and Colleague,
Iris
Thank You
Interviewing with Confidence:
Template of Questions & Tips
Advanced Preparation
Company
• Read the company website in advance
• Understand the history, business, recent events, and financial overview
• Learn about the organization with information available in advance
• Understand the organization name, structure, goals, and key players
Organization
• Memorize the names and roles of interviewers
• Read about their career history on LinkedIn, and add a connection if appropriate
Interviewers
Questions
• You will likely be asked if you have questions for them at the end of each interview
• Ask intelligent questions that demonstrate your research about the company and
the interviewer specifically (their experience, background, etc.)
Standard Questions
• Prepare a summary and rehearse in advance (1-2 minutes in length)
• Add some personal details to stand out
Introduction
Reason
• Be ready to explain why you interested in this job
• Be ready to explain why you are a good candidate (value-add for them)
• Think of a few areas where you have natural and acquired skillsets
• Have these memorized in advance so that you do not have to hesitate
3 Strengths
3 Growth
Areas
• Think of a few areas where you could grow or improve, and explain what you’re
doing to develop or mitigate
• We are human, and it’s expected and demonstrates self-awareness
Hypothetical & Experience-Based Scenarios
• Some interviewers ask questions about what car, animal, or fruit you would be if
you had a choice, and they want to understand why
• To prepare, think of your core characteristics in advance and simply liken them
Hypothetical
to the analogy posed at the time of the interview
Experiences
• Experience-based questions examine your responses to real-life scenarios
• Think of 2 major projects that involved a large team (if possible)
• Complete the following table in advance of the interview so that you have a pool
of examples in your mind that are ready for reference (expand template)
Attribute
Start and End Dates of Project
Purpose of Project
Size and Structure of Team
Project Challenges Faced & Resolved
Leadership Role You Played
Interpersonal Conflict You Mitigated
and/or Resolved
Project Name 1
Project Name 2
Transformative Leadership Cycle
Reference Material for Future Leaders
Transformative Leadership Cycle
Start Here
IDENTIFY
Identify and Describe
Current Praxis
TRANSFORM
Transform the Status
Quo into a New Praxis
ANALYZE
Analyze Current Praxis
to Understand
Influences and Effects
DISCERN
Discern New Methods
of Mental Models
REFLECT
Reflect upon Culture
and History
CONNECT
Connect Your
Experiences as a
Reference