Lee Williams
Research Title: What is business mental toughness and what effect does it have on the performance of business professionals?
Tags: business, mental toughness, performance, personal construct theory, psychology, repertory grid technique, sport
My Research...
There is considerable interest within sport and business relating to the performance enhancing qualities of mental toughness. Mental toughness has been described as the single most important factor in determining [sporting] success amongst equally gifted athletes and the core focus for sports psychologists.
Research into the phenomenon has demonstrated an association with higher levels of achievement and an ability to cope with pressure better than others. This has led elite [sporting] performance psychology researchers to suggest a direct link between improved sporting performance due to mental toughness and improved business performance, i.e. those business professionals who demonstrate high levels of mental toughness have a greater ability to cope with pressure and sustained high performance; key attributes of successful performers.
However, whilst there are clear parallels between business and sport, we cannot simply accept that a ‘sporting’ or ‘competitive’ model of mental toughness is applicable within a ‘business’ environment. Whilst Researchers have used definitions that relate to a more generic definition of [sporting] mental toughness, these are still based on sporting contexts; at present no ‘business’ derived definition or framework for mental toughness exists.
This study will use Personal Construct Theory and Repertory Grid Technique to assess the phenomenon of mental toughness within a business context by using the experiences and opinions of business professionals. The study will provide a general definition of ‘business ‘mental toughness, identify the key characteristics of the phenomenon under different business contexts, and develop a method by which to assess mental toughness within business professionals.
Supervisor: Dr Mark Batey
Output from this research is expected to assist researchers and practitioners in the identification, development and maintenance of mental toughness within a business context, thus contributing to the improved performance of business executives and their companies.
My Career...
Since completing my MBA in 2001 I have run two small consulting businesses specialising in process improvement and customer management. I see a growing marketing in linking these two aspects of business consulting with the development of more mentally tough employees, i.e. individuals that are able to ‘cope’ with or ‘self-manage’ the effects of demanding business performance and stress. Stress requires three core elements, a lack of something, an objective or goal and an individual or individuals within which stress is felt. I believe my studies will highlight ways in which individuals and companies can do much more with the resources they have and without changing their goals, simply by enabling their employees to become mentally tougher, i.e. to cope better with all business and personal stressors, spending more time on performing and less time feeling stressed. Once this is understood I would like to teach other business professional how to develop ‘business’ mental toughness either through MBA level teaching or through an executive coaching programme.
Contact Details
Location: Tallentire, Cumbria, England
lee at textyourview.co.uk