“We are not thinking machines that feel; we are feeling machines who think.” Portuguese neuroscientist Antonio Damasio’s words reiterate Kenton Epard’s coaching philosophy, which centers on the concept that success rests on decisions made at the meeting point, the nexus, of logically oriented left-brain processes and creative-emotionally oriented right-brain processes. In fact, this belief drives the mission of The Nexus Initiative (TNI), Epard’s singularly styled boutique Executive Coaching practice.
Evidence abounds that our brains are indeed integrated machines in the sense that we feel and think simultaneously; rather than in a siloed fashion (emotional or logical), or a sequential fashion, logical then emotional or emotional then logical. Nor are our experiences, and our responses to them, solely logical or solely emotional; rather, they are comprised of varying degrees of both logic and feeling.
Alienating or discounting one side of the brain in favor of the other is futile; generally speaking, and in decision-making. Certainly, sometimes the best course of action leans more toward a logical response. Other times, an emotional response is more appropriate. More frequently, the best approach requires careful and purposeful balancing of logical and emotional processes in a constructive tension.
Epard calls this integrated mindset “Nexus Thinking™.”
“If you want to boost your game and improve the quality of your decisions, Nexus Thinking is paramount. Most people would be surprised how much the research supports this, particularly in a business environment where little room exists for recognizing emotions in the workplace. I used to believe this, too. Now, I see its limitations. This is why Damasio’s quote is so spot-on: humans are feeling machines who think. Concluding that we are only thinking machines in a business environment is too simplistic, too convenient, and inaccurate. It’s also unrealistic thinking. Strategic advantage goes to those who embrace the reality that the human brain is designed to work in a comingled fashion. Alienating one side of the brain, often the right side (emotional), by saying that emotions stop once a person enters the workplace puts those companies at a competitive disadvantage when compared to companies that embrace the truth of what we teach at the Nexus Institute,” says Epard.
Embracing this unique approach, The Nexus Initiative stands out as not just another Executive Coaching practice but a sanctuary for transformative growth. Epard relies on his 30 years of operating experience in companies ranging from Silicon Valley startups to Fortune 500 companies, from family businesses to non-profit religious/school boards, etc., to execute TNI’s mission. Those 30 years have solidified his belief that two game-changer skills, each a facet of Nexus Thinking, make a huge difference between success and failure. These skills are Emotional Intelligence (right brain) and Mental Agility (left brain).
Emotional Intelligence requires developing awareness of ourselves and how we interact with others. Do people leave interactions with us feeling inspired because we brought out their best? Do they feel disengaged because they were not listened to, treated as unimportant, or belittled? Do people feel “Psychologically Safe” when interacting with us? Do they believe we have the capacity to constructively hear information we may not want to hear but need to hear? Research proves the benefits of increasing your Emotional Intelligence are vast: improved employee engagement, lower employee turnover, increased likelihood for innovation to flourish, increased job satisfaction, and higher employee productivity, just to name a few.
Mental Agility is more esoteric but no less important. Its essence is how adeptly we interact with a rapidly changing and uncertain world; some call it a VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous). Developing mental agility is akin to developing and maintaining a posture that is pre-built to expect change and quickly adapt to it. It involves developing an anticipatory mindset able to quickly learn and, perhaps, more importantly, “unlearn,” or adapt, as new information arrives. Cultivate mental agility and gain a competitive advantage, better handle uncertainty, be less impacted by an unpredictable world, have a more adaptive and resilient organization, better maintain a calm, cool mindset, and make better decisions rapidly.
Understanding the theory is not enough, so Epard pushes his clients to move beyond theory to real-world application. “Putting theory into practice is sometimes difficult and can involve trial and error, but it’s essential to achieving the desired benefits,” he says. Epard’s extensive operating background is invaluable when it comes to coaching real-world applications. His encounters with success, failure, rapid growth, and adversity lend unparalleled depth and expertise to operationalizing theory into practice.
A second approach Epard leverages to ensure successful real-world application is employing multidisciplinary thinking, which seeks to identify insights and findings from others and re-use them in the client’s circumstances as applicable. Both approaches, real-world operating experience, and multidisciplinary thinking, help the client progress faster and with greater success from theory to practice.
Epard’s academic background enriches his approach to coaching even more. Armed with a BS in Electrical Engineering from Kansas State University and an MBA from the prestigious Wharton School of Business, he combines analytical rigor with strategic acumen. Moreover, he is a Certified Executive Coach, Certified Positive Psychology practitioner, Certified Genos Emotional Intelligence practitioner, and member of the International Coaching Federation, which demonstrates his commitment to coaching excellence.
If Nexus Thinking™ isn’t enough, what truly sets The Nexus Initiative apart is Epard’s holistic perspective on leadership and personal growth. He recognizes the intricate interplay between personal well-being, organizational dynamics, and societal and business trends. As a devoted husband and father of three, he understands the delicate balance of juggling professional ambitions with familial responsibilities. This empathy forms another cornerstone of his coaching philosophy.
Finally, at The Nexus Initiative, he doesn’t offer only solutions; he sparks conversations that redefine the contours of leadership excellence and personal performance. Through his first two thought-leadership initiatives:
“Hardless™: An original speaking series that uncovers an innovative way to make hard things easier.
KnowledgeNexus™: A complimentary online inventory of more than 350 (and growing) terms collected to increase understanding of all matters related to personal performance.
The Nexus Initiative delivers far more than that of an ordinary coaching practice. It is a hub for continuous improvement, practical implementation, and holistic, integrated approaches designed to deliver excellence for the whole person.