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Article by Katie Pohler, MiBiz Network, January 3, 2002. Reprinted with permission by MiBizWest, formerly The Shoreline Business Monthly.
GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids-based Leadership Capital Group (LCG) uses a combination of executive search, corporate psychology and organizational development expertise to help companies tackle the challenges of organizational and leadership development.
As unemployment rises and the economy sours, LCG Partner Roger Jansen Ph.D. said the company is continually giving its clients the same piece of advice that companies need to identify investment in their employees.
"People at this point in time really need to feel valued in their organization and see that they are a part of the organization's long-term plan," Jansen said. "Companies need to let employees see the goals and the progression that lie within their company."
Jansen told MiBiz that companies need to look at three key factors when choosing the best executive, not just to fill a position, but to thrive in it. They are personality, interest and ability. "We talk to our clients about a concept called ´goodness of fit'," Jansen said. "That really means that the environmental characteristics of those in the organization need to match the interests, personality and ability of the individual you want to bring in."
Jansen used a basketball analogy to highlight this concept, explaining that he has the personality of a professional basketball player; he is very competitive. He also has a strong interest in making millions of dollars a year shooting hoops. However, because his ability is not strong enough, he would fail as a professional basketball player. All three factors must be in sync with the position to find a professional match.
Despite a slumped economy, Jansen said companies should prepare now for hiring practices that will occur in the future when jobs do become available. He said companies cannot find good talent too quickly.
The corporate psychologist also had some advice for job seekers to be patient. "People shouldn't jump into the first position that becomes available, even though this is a natural reaction." Jansen said that when job seekers take a position just for the sake of having a paycheck, they will not give their all to the effort. Leaders of the organization will recognize that and realize that there has been a disparity. Individuals looking to make a professional transition self-assessment should examine what it is they liked best about their last opportunity and what they would change, trying to match that up with their future goals.
Leadership Capital Group offers several services, including its LEAD product, which redefines the executive search process by not only locating candidates, but also conducting in-depth analyses of their fit within an organization. LCG continues to work with new executives after successful placement to offer transitional coaching and personalized action plans. "The success of an organization is directly tied to its human capital and the effectiveness of its leaders and managers," Jansen said.
LCG came together one year ago and has seen a steady increase in business. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, the firm has offices in Atlanta and Detroit. LCG is comprised of three divisions: corporate psychology, organizational development and executive recruiting. "All three really impact the organization on separate levels. We decided to put all of them under one roof to provide a holistic, all-encompassing one-stop shop for human capital and leadership capital," Jansen said.
The firm has built its team with a combination of executive search consultants, licensed psychologists and doctoral-level experts in organizational development and change management. This expertise has resulted in a client roster that includes several Fortune 100 Companies, the international merger and acquisition practice of a Big Five accounting firm and many other large and mid-size businesses. LCG's largest client has 78,000 employees while other clients have a little as 30-40 on staff.
Members of LCG are traveling throughout the country giving a leadership lab seminar entitled The Psychology of Effective Leadership and will bring the presentation to Grand Rapids Jan. 17-18. "We're focusing on behavioral change and really getting at the underlying core values and beliefs that predict behavior and facilitate certain aspects of behavior," Jansen said.
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