Commonsense Leadership

Chapter 9Teach Your Team to Visualize

How important is visualization? If you're physically talented, have the knowledge to execute on the job, or have solid skills to perform, than why should you engage in mental practice? The answer is compelling. Match two people with equal physical talents in a competitive encounter, and the person who is stronger mentally will win most of the time.

Good leaders should learn to visualize, not only to enhance their own performance, but also to teach their team. It's a very important skill to have. It creates confidence and positive expectations.

In working with some of the best performers in the world for the last 45 years, I have found that the winners are not necessarily more talented than their competitors but they are much better prepared mentally. They are better organized, able to visualize, and able to recover quickly.

In the corporate environment, this has not been emphasized very much over the years, but I find it provides an incredible edge. For example, salespeople who visualize prior to a meeting will be better prepared than those who don't. If you're going to have a meeting with one of your team members, being able to visualize what will happen and anticipate different outcomes is a valuable tool to have.

Mental practice is an extremely valuable tool no matter the environment. It's used for two primary purposes. First, it enables you to review your competencies, in other words, to remember your assets. This motivates you and gives ...