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Personal accomplishment is a critical issue in the
life of anyone who wants to be the best that he or she
can be. Most high performance theories do not address
individual requirements, but rather apply the same set
of standards to everyone. However, all people have a
different starting place, and in order to achieve
better performance, each individual must work on
particular issues which are
unique
to
him.
The
Flippen Profile reveals “constraints” that keep
individuals from achieving optimum effectiveness and
then develops a plan for overcoming those
limitations. Personal Constraint TheoryTM
focuses on the idea that there are characteristics in
every individual and organization that keeps them from
operating optimally. If the constraint(s) can be
identified, the individual or organization is then
free to correct the behavior that is detrimental to
performance. Not only does each of us have personal
constraints; these constraints will always be played
out within the relational system in which one works
and lives. According to M.B. Flippen, "No
organization can rise above the constraints of its
leadership." It is, therefore, of great importance
for an individual to recognize his or her personal
limitations and to formulate a plan by which to deal
with them.
Participants’ data is
compared on 36 personal traits to a
predefined, statistically evaluated target. When used
as an assessment tool by a single person, it can be
very accurate in predicting behavior if the person is
very self-aware of his own behavior. By utilizing the
input of four other people, the participant can be
greatly aided in identifying constraints that are not
internally perceived. Therefore, this “360” report
can produce results that are over 90% predictive of
one’s behavior.
Because there are no
subjective questionnaires or sessions through which to
work, the Flippen Profile saves valuable time.
Each respondent is presented a menu of 300
adjectives from which to choose his/her own
personality traits relative to the target’s behavior.
Through this method, results cannot be skewed since
the relationship between variables would not be known
by the respondent. The input is processed very
quickly since the answers are evaluated by computer.
The report is then
discussed with a certified consultant. The Flippen
Group trains a limited number of affiliates who help
the participant to determine what steps need to be
taken in regard to the constraints that are
discovered. With the help of the advisor, the
participant will design a growth plan that is focused
and measurable, thus effectively applying the
results. If personal accountability with a friend or
colleague is added, the possibility of affecting real
growth can be greatly increased.
The
Flippen Group has used its methods to help take many
of the world’s elite executives and athletes to their
“next level” of performance. Part of this process was
featured in an ABC documentary that aired during the
2003 Super Bowl XXXVII broadcast. This program may be
viewed on the website,
www.flippengroup.com.
For further information, please contact Roger
Wernette at 713-524-9807.
Applications
The profile has a wide variety of applications:
1)
Enhanced personal performance
– Through an in-depth study of personal constraints,
one can learn which of his behaviors are hinderances
to career and life performance. Improvement will
rarely happen without the accountability of a small
group or personal coach. By participating in a small
group seminar or taking the profile individually, one
can get the information needed to make necessary
personal changes.
2)
Organizational consulting
– A leader of a church or business can better utilize
his people if he understands the behavioral patterns
that are at work within each of them. Excellent
results can be observed within a staff as the leader
seeks to impact each employee’s constraints. Each
staff member is unique and must be led as such in
order to insure organizational excellence.
3)
Sports performance
–
Sports performance is a mix of physical ability and
mental readiness. An athlete cannot perform at his
best until he has dealt with the behavioral
constraints that negate his capabilities on the field
or court. In team sports, one teammate with
unresolved personal issues can disrupt the entire
organizational effort.
4)
Selection
–
While no personal profile should be used as a criteria
for hiring, a constraint profile can give insight into
the habits that one will bring into a work situation.
By profiling current staff or selection committee, one
can also better understand the constraints that are
currently imbedded within an organization which will
have to be addressed by a new hire.
5)
Pastor search
- The church pastoral search process is an excellent example of
undefined constraints. Pastors do not usually fail
because of biblical or strategic error, they fail
because they do not understand behaviors, whether that
of staff or their own. If a senior pastor does not
know his constraints, that of his new staff, or the
preconceived vision of the search committee, he
already has two strikes against him.
MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Christian growth – Scripturally, we are
called to recognize our sin (Romans 3:23) as our first
step toward a relationship with Jesus Christ. Our
constraints are a working illustration of our
shortcomings. Galatians 5:22 calls the Christian to
seek the fruits of the spirit; love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self control. Our problem is that we
are blind to our own behaviors which keep us from
being “conformed to the likeness of Christ…” (Romans
8:29). By taking a hard look at ourselves, with the
help of others, we will learn we need to bring before
God and how to seek his change. This is not
self-improvement; it is about asking God to change us
to be the people He created us to be. A tool like the
Profile is merely a diagnostic that leads me to seek
God’s grace. |
