perspective

2010-09-11T07:56:00.001-07:00

Never Forget [repost from 9/11/2009] http://ping.fm/CcQ8R

8 ways to know if you are setting an example

2010-02-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

Application of sound leadership principles and tools isn't haphazard according to James Kouzes and Barry Posner, authors of best seller, The Leadership Challenge. While serendipity may play a role, true leaders are continually seeking ways to learn and to establish themselves as credible leaders. They consciously establish the practice of modeling to ensure they are setting an example that others can follow(232).

What is key about setting the example is to behave in ways that are consistent with shared values. The very values that the organization, team or partnership defined collaboratively. The same values that every new employee is being orientated to when they come on the job. A common pitfall for leaders is that they operate under at Do as I Say, not as I do motive. This can be a dangerous road to plow and can often divert the leader into unwanted territory.

In what I consider to be one of the greatest books on leadership that every manager or aspiring leader should read, The Leadership Challenge, James Kouzes and Barry Posner, define 8 elements to behaving in ways consistent with your values. These may be obvious to some and to others there may be a new learning opportunity. All in all, check your own leadership style against this list and give yourself a grade.

Take a look in the mirror. Become more self-aware of your personal values. Not until you truly know yourself, strengths and weaknesses, know what you want to do, why you want to do it, you cannot succeed but in the most superficial sense of the word. And there is no way we can truly know ourselves if we don't take quiet time for reflection.

Write your leadership credo. It's time to define and clarify the principles by which you'll guide others to places they've never been before by translating your personal values and believe into a one-page leadership credo(233). After you have your credo to a place you wish to share it, first ask for feedback with those around you. Be open to receiving it and ensure that what you have written is clear so that others can support it.

Write a personal tribute and a tribute to your organization. This is all about writing down what the ideal image of yourself or of your team/organization. How do you want others to see you. What words or phrases do you most want others to say about you? How would you like to be remembered? The greater the clarity of, belief in, and passion for our personal standards of excellence, the greater the probability we'll act in concert with them.

Open a dialogue about personal and shared values. We know that shared values make a difference and that leaders represent groups. Leaders do do what we say we will do. So it's essential that you have a dialogue about your beliefs and those of your team. Model for the team that they too write their own credo so that collectively everyone can learn from the other what they value and stand for. Celebrate the similarities and the differences. It is a bonding experience that unites your team, they feel heard and acknowledged and that has power(235). This moves people from what we say we do to what we do!

Audit your actions. Practice what you preach and check your day-to-day activities against the published shared values. Ask, how do they align? And seek feedback periodically from others on how they see you doing with modeling your shared values. Remember, when we ask for feedback, we must remain open minded to receiving it or don't bother asking at all(236).

Trade places. Some of the greatest leaders have swapped places for a day or afternoon with another on their team. It is perhaps the best way to get to know the view from their chair. The corresponding benefit, others get to know the view from your chair too. Another way for management to show the trust they hold for their employees, at your next management retreat, don't leave the token manager behind, walk away and leave the operation in control of frontline staff. It makes a public statement that we trust you and builds confidence up and down in the org chart.

Be dramatic. It pays to consciously stage dramatic events to make a point or to hit home a fundamental value(238). And during times of change, this is of particular importance. This may be a high ropes course to build trust and teach teams about taking risks with one another. What ever you choose, design them to draw attention to critical values and priorities, even if you have to go out of your way to get the point across.

Tell Stories about teachable moments. Be constantly on the lookout for for teachable moments - those precious time when people's consciousness can be elevated(239). Often these occur at the peaks and valleys of the organizational experience. They are those moments to illustrate an important virtue can be old over and over again.

Coaching Questions:
* What three tips of the 8 will I implement immediately?
* Have I defined my core values?
* How will "auditing my actions" support my growth and that of my team?

Kouzes, James and Posner, Barry. "The Leadership Challenge." (San Francisco: Josey-Bass - 2nd ed.)

5 Ways to NOT Get 'UnFriended' Fast in Social Media!

2010-02-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

We have all seen the posts, the ones that cause us to pause and scratch our head. Those posts online from people that clearly didn't edit their content before hitting the Share/Send button. You know the ones. Those that leave you in a state of shock and awe, or just plain flabbergasted. Or leave you asking, "why!?"

Today I had that experience with an online post from someone who is connected to one of my networks. Though this post wasn't as much a head scratcher as it was rude and down right angry, it was shocking just the same. Perhaps this person was having a bad day, or they woke up on the wrong side of the bed. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter because the impression they left not only on me, but those in our network, had catastrophic affects.

They left an indelible mark on our minds, not of the excellent services they may or may not provide, but that they are not friendly, rather disrespectful of others publicly and down simply...angry. All that from one comment on a post.

Something to always remember when posting online, in a network, on Facebook or Twitter, what you put out there for even a few to see, can go viral and take you down quickly or raise you to new heights.

To ensure that you always put the best post forward, and refrain from getting 'unfriended' abruptly, consider these tips for posting success.

1.) Never respond or post in haste. It is key to check your attitude at the proverbial door before you comment or post anything. If you are feeling edgy or angry as you type. delete. delete. delete.

2.) Put your best face forward. Always remember that when you post online in the various networks that you play in, your image as well as your words go forward for all to see. The reader may or may not remember your name, but they are highly likely to remember your face. And if the words associated with your face are negative, the impression lasts a life time.

3.) Consider the PAUSE button. If you engage in a reply or post that is rather harsh in nature, pause and step away from the screen. Those quick posts can have long lasting effects that can be insurmountable or cause you to lose those hard earned followers. Your words are an extension of you online, pick them wisely.

4.) Transparency is good and can be bad. We hear it all the time, 'be transparent' online. This is a good rule to follow however, it can also come back to bite you in the you know what. Being transparent online and showing your flaws can engage people positively or negatively. It is all in how you handle it that counts. If you post something that didn't translate well, then state that and correct the action. If you post something that contradicts what you 'say' you represent, and don't quickly correct it, that loses credibility. Speak the truth and make corrections as needed is key.

5.) Keep Friends and Business in different containers. When posting online, it is important to show all networks your friendly side, that you care to engage, to connect, and to collaborate. To show you are not just there for shameless promotion. However, when posting the events (with details and pictures) of your weekend escapade on the same profile that you post ways prospects can engage you for business services, can get dicey. It is important to keep friends and all the activities you enjoy with them in the 'friend zone' and keep business in the online board room. Mixing the two can work against you at the most inopportune times.

There are other ways to keep you free and clear from the 'UnFriend' zone and it may be good to explore them. The key is to use the various platforms wisely and consider this, if you have children (or a grandmother), would you be proud to have them read or see what you post?

Coaching Questions:

* What is your social media strategy to connect, collaborate and grow?

* How might having a business persona and personal in the same network work for or against me?

* What do I value about being transparent online and how can it work to promote my persona?

* When faced with a negative encounter online, how will I handle it that supports my values?

6 Ways to Awaken Vision & Activate Potential

2010-01-31T16:51:00.000-08:00

Vision awakens your purpose. Vision activates your potential.

Heard a good word today that confirmed what I know to be true about vision, purpose and action. There are frequent conversations in the world, on the many social networking sites that we are all apart of around vision and the importance of having one. And, I would offer that there is no point in having one if you are not prepared to be in A.C.T.I.O.N toward your potential.

The word action is key in awakening the vision within each of us. It requires the following six elements and when you apply them, you WILL awaken your vision and activate your potential.

Achievement focus - In other words, keep your eye on the prize. If you build your dream on unstable ground, it will crumble. To have stability, you need clarity and to speak what you want from your heart. Focus on achieving that heart's desire, write it down and keep it in front of you.

Curiosity - It seems as we age we lose (or set aside) that bold curiosity that motivated us as children. That curiosity kept our dream alive as we explored and asked questions. Try adding that back into your daily life. Be curious about the things you have always wanted to achieve, accomplish, attain or attract. Even if it is a little uncomfortable, get curious again!

Take responsibility - Perhaps the most difficult for some to acknowledge and the most important to our success and clarity of vision. When we play the victim or blame game for the current status of our life, we shut ourselves off from possibility. To be open to knowing and owning your full potential, take a look at the places you have offed responsibility for life onto someone or something else. Own it, forgive it, let it go.

Inspire - Think for a moment how many people have left an impression on you. Got the picture? Now ask yourself, what would my life be like if I lead that kind of legacy now? When we work to inspire others, we become more focused on our purpose vs. the benefits. It is a new creative element to action that I am happy to inspire in you today. Seek to inspire to receive overflow.

Overcomer Mindset - Consider looking at the box in your path as opportunity to propel you forward vs. something to stop you. To do that means to continually be looking at what is possible. Being an overcomer in action means staying activated for what's next.

Never accept second best- This is the 'who are you giving sanction to' piece. In life we give up our authority to others rather instantaneously, or quickly. It gives the authority of our potential to someone else's control. By not accepting second best, and affirming what "is to be," moves you toward the vision and/or the goal. It means that you are enough and that you have what it takes to get what you want. It means you are in the fullness of YOUR personal power.

Try some action this week. There are great resources all around to support you finding your vision and purpose. And it is important to get activated toward identifying what you really want as you define your vision and activate your potential.

Coaching Questions:
* What one Action Step will you apply this week?
* Who can you pull in for support in honoring your self in action?
* How do you use Bold Curiosity currently?
* Who have you given sanction to in life that may have detoured you from your potential?

11 Reasons why Gold is a Good Thing

2010-01-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

I hope you were able to join Ali Brown for her call "Your 11 Best
No-Cost to Low-Cost Marketing & Business Strategies for 2010!"
She's so generous with her proven methods, and it makes me just
want to soak it all in like a sponge.

During the call, Ali touched on her Millionaire Protege Club
coaching that she offers and shared that she's launching a new
level--the brand new Gold Tier. For those of you who can't
participate at the 5- and 6-figures level of coaching, the Gold
tier is the low-cost solution for solo-preneurs who want to learn
simple strategies to take their business to the next level.

Eager to learn more? Go here.

Here's a sampling of what the Gold tier covers:

1. Social Media - How to Maximize These Free Marketing Tools
Without Wasting Your Days Away

2. Website Must-Haves: 7 Components of an Irresistible Website

3. Grab Their Attention With Your Online and Offline Powerful
Marketing Headlines

4. Ezines, Blogs, and Print Newsletters: New Ways to Use Them to
Build Your Professional Fame

5. Your First VA: A Step-by-Step System to Finding and Working
with Your First Virtual Assistant

6. Online Shopping Cart Basics: Your Simple Guide to E-Commerce

7. In-Person Networking Secrets to Building Your Business with
Personality and Confidence

8. Teleseminars: A Quick and Easy Guide to Hosting Your Own
Cash-Creating Phone Calls

9. Webinars, Podcasting, and Video – Multi-Media Alternatives
that Get Your Brand More Attention

10. Joint Ventures and Affiliate Marketing: Create Passive
Income With Strong Relationships

11. Speaking and Hosting Your Own Events: Behind-the-Scenes
Truths

Why pull your hair out creating your own marketing and business
growth strategies when this program is laid out so perfectly for
you and delivered as monthly training calls, Q&A calls,
recordings, transcripts, and many other added benefits.

Ready to jump in now? Here's one more enticement...

BONUS: Be one of the first 50 to join and receive a
complimentary audio: "Ali's Biz Quickies: 25 Easy Tips for Fast
Business Growth!"

I'm seeing GOLD in your future!

6 Steps to Mind Mapping Success

2009-12-31T18:06:00.000-08:00

For years I have heard about the power of Mind Mapping. It is a process that is used when exploring or brainstorming topics, ideas, plans and strategies. It can even be used to make plans for your vacation! And just as I have heard about it for some time, I avoided using it in my own life. Until December 9, 2009.

On that obscure Wednesday I had the opportunity to participate in a workshop hosted by a business connection and friend Julian Michael. He brought in a speaker and masterful Mind Mapper, Pete DiSantis to demonstrate how to use this tool in everyday work. We made a mind map of our holiday schedule as an exercise in the workshop, and it opened my eyes to this tool in a brand new way.

With a new tool in my toolbox, a flip chart hanging on my office wall and colorful markers and crayons in hand, my adventures began! I now have a tool that is supporting my success by bringing clarity to projects for the New Year. I have mapped out a new website, new product offering, a TeleSummit to “Increase Your Power Today,” and the 100 titles for articles I will write in the first hundred days of 2010. If you have been looking for a new strategy to map out your success, I invite you to try these easy steps and create a mind map for your next project?

Step 1. Get out the Flip Chart! When we work small, we think small - or maybe it’s the other way around. At any rate, expand your mind and your creativity for the new idea to the wall. It helps to step back and watch the progress, open up your perspective to a whole new level. As I like to say, Go Big or Go to Bed!

Step 2. Go with Color. The colors are not only fun to play with, they create a visually stimulating map of your brilliant idea. And you can use the colors to code the steps, priorities, items to further develop and link like items together. Additionally, using different colors adds dimension to your map, opening up your mind.

Step 3. Start with One. This one idea is the parent idea or main concept for the mind map. That goes in the center of the page. Draw a circle around it and then step back and allow your imagination to go.

Step 4. Free Flow the off-spring of the one idea. As you step back from the page to ponder your new big idea. Start talking out the ideas that are flowing to you, aloud. This step is perhaps one of the most helpful. As you speak and hear the idea, it lands with you as a Yes or it doesn’t. Those that are Yes get put on the map as a Sub Title (or off spring) of the main idea. Write these in an outer circle around the main idea, allow good space for filling in more thoughts and ideas. The platform of your map is now complete.

Step 5. Expand your Imagination. After you have your platform outlined with the main point in the center and the off-spring written down, it’s time go to the next level. Take your pens and begin to link together the like topics, write down details to each point to bring them to life. Example: if you are planning a trip, your details are all the things to prepare, do, buy, and even explore to be ready for an amazing trip.

Step 6. Put it to Action. Now that you have your idea and all the glorious details that make it a plan in place, it’s time to put the action to it to bring it to life. I have found writing a Map Legend with my dates and priorities in the top right of the map helps kick it into action. Whatever you do, keep your map up on your wall as you activate your new idea. Having it before you, will be that added inspiration for follow-through.

So that is mind mapping in it’s simplest form. Please share your strategy here as well as your success with this fun and creative method for gaining clarity on your great ideas.

19 DIY Publicity Lessons Inspired by the Wizard of Oz

2009-12-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

DIY Publicity Lessons from the Wizard of Oz
Can Lend Magic Fuel to New Year’s Success

By Nancy Juetten

The just released 70th Anniversary Edition of the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” is as memorable and evergreen as the Emerald City. And, the story brings into clear focus some powerful do-it-yourself publicity lessons that are equally evergreen for business and success planning for the New Year.

You don’t have to fly over the rainbow to get much of what you want. Most of the media coverage you seek to make a difference in your business can be found in your own backyard.
Don’t let “blue bird envy” stand in your way. Wishing and hoping doesn’t get the job done. Get into action today to earn the attention you seek for your message.
Big news always rings loud and clear – Ding Dong the Witch is Dead.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help to get what you need. Good witches and mentors are everywhere -- if you just ask the local munchkins for quality recommendations.
Along your yellow brick road to success, don’t settle for Munchkin Land when the Land of Oz is what you really want. Think big about what you want to accomplish and the perfect media outlets where you most want your message to be heard.
Celebrate new media. If the crystal ball isn’t delivering the solutions and information you need, find alternative ways learn what you need to know to carry your message forward.
There will be forks in the road and different paths to take along your journey to DIY publicity success. Make a choice, put some spring in your step, and have some fun along the way.
It takes brains, courage, and heart to make your message stand out.
Frame your story as a horse of a different color so it stands apart.
Choose local color to invite memorable and remarkable photo opportunities.
You have to be willing to put up with things that get in your way, like angry apples, flying monkeys, wicked witches, and sleep-inducing poppies.
Put your best dress on and your best face forward before you make your pitch.
Collaborate with a quality team when making your approach.
Never underestimate the power of a sassy pair of shoes to boost your confidence when pitching a story or doing anything that really matters in your life.
Don’t easily surrender Dorothy. Be willing to fight for the coverage you want.
“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” You have more power to make things happen in your business than you ever thought possible. You just have to look in your bag of tricks to find the right tools and resources to the get the mission accomplished. And you have to use them.
There is no place like home. Start your media efforts close to home.
Earn loyal friends, fans and followers with every step you take. That will go a long way to lend strength and momentum to your buzz-building effort here and beyond, today and forever.
As you make your own storytelling plans for the New Year, commit to learning new skills to make sure your message is heard, or add the right members to your winning team to bring an element of magic dust to your success equation.

Set your course, make your plans, and journey forward with quality effort and the conviction to achieve the media recognition you seek.
Just as Dorothy discovered, you can make a lot of magic happen if you just click your heels together and get to work.

Nancy S. Juetten is a newspaper columnist, speaker, Publici-Tea™ trainer, and the author of the Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action Guide. If you are a rock star, but your website bio is all washed up, this guide shows you how to write a rockin' bio, one step-by-easy-step. Get an excerpt from this popular guide when you opt-in to receive the Media-Savvy-to-Go ezine at www.byebyeboringbio.com.

3 Reasons I Missed Blogging

2009-10-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

Recently I had a lot of fun with a 30 day blogging challenge. Well, as life would have it sometimes, I got distracted and delayed by other pressing projects. Ultimately this means while I had 30 posts in 30 days, I didn't get 30 days of blogging in.

Now while I could be feeling down and blue about missing the target. I am actually quite pleased. What I discovered was that I really, really love blogging! What I also noticed were 3 very prominent reasons that I miss the daily joy of writing and musing with my thoughts.

Reason #1 why I miss blogging: I shared a sense of connectedness with my friends, colleagues, mentors and proteges while blogging. The act of writing daily in my posts kept my attention and focus on what I had to contribute to others. Ultimately this brought me closer to the extraordinary things those same folks had going on.

For instance, my good friend Nancy Juetten of Main Street Media Savvy and I had a few interactions during my blog challenge that proved to be profitable and rewarding for both. Her DIY Publici-Tea express is a great workshop, one that I have attended multiple times and got to share with others through my blog. I enjoyed contributing to the event through blogging, tweeting, facebooking and my coaching circles and receiving updates from her on the status of her growing event. I learned a lot on how to market and promote events for optimum return on investment thanks to this connectedness.

Reason #2 why I miss blogging: I enjoy musing about my daily thoughts and experiences, without blogging, it just stays in my head. While I am a verbal person and one who is very social, having the chance to relate to people in under 500 words a day is a kick! It gets me to bottom line my thoughts, and inquiries which for me can at times be a stretch.

Reason #3 why I miss blogging: My intention with both my blogs and as a coach is to work at shifting perspective with my clients. Whether it is working with Teams, Business Leaders, or Soloprenures, my heart is to proactively work toward shifting perceptive and opening up possibility. With blogging, I have that opportunity every day and I embrace it wholeheartedly.

So whatever state of blogging you may be in, I encourage you to look at what schedule may work best for you. Something that is more than just once a week for maximum benefit personally and professionally. Hey, why not try a 30 day blog challenge on for size. You never know what you might get in return. For me, I got two blogs, a huge number of followers and some great dialogue for future posts! The experience was simply put, priceless.

Got Job Satisfaction? Some questions from the Coach may help you know.

2009-09-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

Today I heard from three friends whom I have not heard from in a very long time. One, is a franchisee of a struggling company I used to coach for, and the two others are employees of an Organization I left for coaching, who live in different parts of the state.

Interestingly, they each had very similar things to say about the current status of affairs. They are feeling drained, broke, busted and disgusted with the current events in their jobs.

What I found to be intriguing, was two fold, 1) I heard from all three on the same day, and 2) their stories, while brief, are very much the same. Even though the come from very different job environments, two work for the 'man' and the other works for 'self,' and they are all wanting to seek something else. The stories were parallel on all levels. Without respect of gender.

Now at first glance it might seem like the 'grass is always greener' scenario, but not this time. Each individual is feeling devalued, mistreated, manipulated and simply disrespected for the effort and work they put in. Something unfortunately, not uncommon amongst our employees/teams when leaders and organizations lack good communication.

My three conversations today got me thinking. First, it was confirmation that I am coach! I love being a resource for people. Second, I know these three people are not alone, the only thing they have in common is that they know me. That's it. And then last, how do we allow ourselves to get to this point of feeling like it's the point of no return?

To answer that is actually quite simple. We need to have a flag pole in our life that we use to run our dreams, goals and happiness meter up against. It is beneficial for our well-being when we can identify the flags or potholes that may derail us and impact our job and life satisfaction.

Do you know and clearly see the warning signs for unhappiness? More importantly, do you know what to do to change in order to get to satisfaction? Consider this.

On a scale of 1-10 are you satisfied with your job? If you ranked that on the low side of below 4, you may want to consider getting some support around the conversation of what will it take to be an 8 or even a 10. Mastermind groups are a great way to help get clarity and build a trusted board of adviser's around you for support and breakthrough.

If you scored 5-7 on the scale, ask what will it take to make it a 9 or 10? You are on that teeter-totter of life at that middle of the ground marker. It could go either way and depending on what your goal is, will depend on where to focus your energy. You might consider getting clarity around vision and purpose, when you know that you know that you know what you were created for, every choice you make wants to align with that hope in knowing. You won't settle for middle ground.

Now if you are in the smaller percentage and scored an 8 or higher - Way To Go! My encouragement for you is to consider what will keep you stimulated? What's next for you? Challenge yourself to figure out what would hit the home run for you in your career right now.

Coming next week-just for women! 52 Exquisite Self-Care Tips Booklet for the Professional Woman. Buy it today!

7 Lessons Learned from a Chick Flick

2009-09-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

Spending the day reading, surfing and watching movies proved to be a little frustrating, and enlightening, with a good deal of laughter.

Most women love their chick-flicks, we get lost in the romance and the drama, they allow for our minds to wander for a few hours. What we don't usually talk about though are the lessons to be learned from those very movies.

While many aren't much better than a weekday Soap, when we look we can find some nuggets to last a lifetime, grow a business, and improve relationships. There are always great shopping Do's and Don't too!! I have gathered my "lesson's learned list" just to prove my point.

7 Lessons Learned from Chic Flicks can even be applied to business relationships.

Don't take yourself too seriously. You will notice there is always the woman who takes herself far too seriously. Like the sister in Jerry McGuire, she was so wounded and hurt that she couldn't allow anyone else to enjoy a moment of bliss. I mean, who wouldn't want to go on a date with Tom Cruise right? It wasn't until the sister had been proven wrong that she could accept "she" might be bitter and that "might" be getting in her way. In business when we take ourselves too seriously, chaos and resentment can manifest in various ways. It is important to have someone around you that keeps you firmly grounded in vision and purpose, as well as someone who will name the pink elephant in the corner of your world.

Crying is actually good for the soul. There are too many movies to reference where tears are a plenty. But the ones that really stick out are the ones that use the tears as a refreshing cleanse. Sleepless in Seattle is a good one for that. Remember when Annie and Becky were sitting on the couch watching An Affair to Remember and they just started crying over the ending of the movie? The same movie they had watched a bazillion times! Then what did they do, they brushed it off, felt better for it and that was that. At times we just need to allow the tears to give us that refreshing cleanse, for clarity and for rejuvenation.

Laughter is always required. Think Steel Magnolia's for a moment. That scene at the cemetery when Charisse made fun of Ouiser and told M'Lynn to 'hit her' just to feel better? It is a perfect example that even in our most painful moments, an infusion of a good laugh can set us right side up. We can get far to down and frustrated in our business with all the changes that are coming at us, it is important to keep people near you that make you laugh. It can set you on the right side.

When it feels like you are pushing a boulder, stop pushing. There are times in life and business when we try to push forward on a project or relationship and it feels like we are pushing a boulder. We press forward to make things happen in our life and yet we can't quite cover enough ground. Just like Frances in Under the Tuscan Sun, she left her life in the states to pursue something else in Italy only to find that her pushing and pressing was pushing back, or following her, depending on your perspective. It wasn't until she stopped pushing that she found what mattered most. In business and life when we push and push to get to what we think we want, sometimes the greatest reward comes in simply stopping, and allowing what will be, to be.

It takes truth, integrity and authenticity to move ahead. Sometimes in business we can start to feel that everyone around us is moving steadily ahead of the curve. That our connections, intentions, strategy and marketing are just always lagging behind the others. But there are always three key ingredients to moving ahead in the world and we learned them from Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing. Johnny was authentic with all people, what you see is what you get, he always operated with integrity, even when people were making assumptions and he told the truth, even when it was easy not to. What he ended up with was his self respect fully intact. The one thing no one can take away from you unless you give it to them. Who have you given sanction to in your life and as a result, lost what's important to you?

Running away solves nothing (but always have an exit strategy). Have you ever felt that you just wanted to bolt from a room? When have you been left standing holding the bag only to find out that it was filled with really stinky stuff? Hurts right? In the movie The Wedding Date we watch as Kat runs from a betrayal of her past only to ultimately run head on into the root of the betrayal. Interestingly, in that moment of deepest pain, she finds her strength and personal power. Kat moves from victim, into woman with grace and confidence as she gets clear that all the running was not taking her anywhere. Running wasn't the answer, and it never is. While it is beneficial to have an exit strategy, you never can run very far without running into that which most haunts you. In business if we have a strategy of running when the going gets tough, we are resigning to failure. Face your fears and hurts head on, you will be better for it on the other side.

People always catch a fibber. There really is nothing worse than a tangled web of lies and untruths. I believe people have a root-level desire to trust others. And when people who tell even little white lies breach the trust factor of relationships, it makes it hard to want to do any kind of business or relationship. Unfortunately, just like in the movie Catch and Release we can find ourselves in the midst of someone elses lie, a story for the benefit of someone else. But the truth always come out and can have devastating affects on those we love. While we can talk ourselves into believing that the little untruth is justified, it is key to remember for business and life in general, even little white lies can have a catastrophic outcome. And, the fiber always gets caught in the end. How do you want to be remembered?

The next time you watch a great tear jerker, or sentimental chick flick, consider the lessons you can take away to better yourself, grow your business and share a good laugh with a friend.

3 of 3 Mistakes Managers Make - Lack of Communication

2009-09-27T19:10:00.000-07:00

Third common mistake (or pitfall) managers make: lack of communication and acknowledgment.

People don't need to be praised all the time to do good work, but they do need to know that they are appreciated for the work they are doing. That comes in the form of good communication at all levels and setting precedence for acknowledgment for the small and big stuff. As the old saying goes - Words are powerful, use them wisely. They can build up a team and tear down a team, all in the same breath.

This is perhaps the most common mistake I have seen as an Executive Team Coach. It is most typically seen in environments where there are a lot of changes happening. Most commonly this appears when there is a large change initiative. People (leaders) get moving so fast, and expecting the same from their teams, that they are not clearly or frequently communicating.

One Director of a large government run agency continually ran into opposition and resistance from staff – people were downright obstinate and unwilling to get along or move toward the needed change. Post taking the cross departmental temperature, we discovered that staff were feeling coerced and in the dark about what was expected.

We worked together with the director and small group of staff on opening the lines of conversation, from the director’s office. After a few short weeks of concentrated communication strategy involving emails, state of the union blog posts and audio recorded messages to all staff, we saw a shift in attitude.

More over, we saw a 43% increase in performance on average across the state and exponential willingness to take action toward the change initiative that was coming from the director’s office.

It was key for this director to learn that taking time to talk – good, bad or ugly, was more important than trying to push people to do what he wanted or to protect them from the truth. The truth may be hard to tell sometimes and our employees would rather hear it, than fallacies.
Our employees want the acknowledgment that they can handle the hard stuff (good, bad and ugly) and by being open with communication, we tell them we trust them.

A good manager is one who knows their place on the team is equal to the sum of the whole, holds their team as capable, powerful, resourceful and creative while communicating openly and acknowledging the small stuff along the way. A good manager builds a sense of trust and collaboration as they also acknowledge their own fault line (because, we all have one.)

Coaching Questions:
How do you react to having to share the good news?
What about the bad news?
What methods of open communication do you currently employ?
When have you taken the communication ‘temperature’ of your staff?
What is the action step you are prepared to take to open up communication?

2 of 3 Mistakes Most Managers Make - Micro Managing

2009-09-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

The second post of three on the mistakes managers make from an excerpt written for CEO Russia magazine last winter.(note: you will need a translator for article) While these mistakes may seem basic, they may seem like a novice mistake, they are actually quite devastating to an organization. And, even novice to veteran managers committing them.

When these mistakes are not caught early, they can derail the best of intentions and actually send someone who has natural ability to lead, just needs some tender, mentoring care, back to the file ranks of time-clock punchers. It can be catastrophic to the human potential of our leaders.

Second mistake: micro-managing and holding things so close to the cuff that they squelch creativity and self-motivation toward desired outcome. Constant hovering, checking in, nagging, questioning and reworking the work of your team creates a real sense of apathy in all. Folks don't want to work hard if they are just going to be corrected, redone or rejected for not doing it 'right.'

One executive in an institution for higher learning was having difficulty with the direct reports being accountable to what they had committed to doing. This executive was so on edge with his key leaders within the organization because their lack of follow-through was putting him on the hook with the board of directors. When we dug into the challenges through coaching and got past the finger pointing, the core of the problem became evident. This leader realized that they were not lifting up their team to execute efficiently and effectively; in fact, they had placed such restrictions on them that they were paralyzed as a whole.

The cause, this executive was not letting go of the ‘how things get done’ and was not allowing their people to creatively solve problems together.

When this executive noticed how their own insecurities were leading to the failure of the team, it was merely putting action steps in place for course correction. We pulled the leadership team together for a retreat to clear the air, set new ground rules and working guidelines.

Several months post retreat, the team is working more cohesively, they are their own (collective) accountability force that is producing great results.

It became an environment where people no longer wait to be told exactly what to do; they are free to take lead on executing the deliverables. The team collectively looked at what refinements could be made for the overall accountability model within the organizational structure, which resulted in streamlining services, ultimately saving jobs and increasing enrollment.

Coaching Questions:

What has your experience been with 'micro managing?'
How did you course correct?
What environment are you creating as leader?
Who have you asked for support from to gain clarity on the reality of your managing style?
What is your call to action from this post today?

1 of 3 Mistakes Most Managers Make

2009-09-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

In this series of three blog posts, we will cover the 3 mistakes mangers make. Whether a new manager or seasoned, each of these mistakes can have devastating effects to the team as a whole and to the future of the manager. Each mistake has simple actions steps for ease in correcting however, may require the support of a skilled coach or mentor.

Mistake Number One: Managers forgetting that they are part of the team. There is more power in a 'We' environment than a 'Me, My or I' hierarchy. Good managers forget about self and focus on the good of the whole to empower and lift others up for success.

This is a common mistake among young or newer managers.

While coaching a new manager that had only managed workload and not people, this was a very real scenario. With no training or mentoring, they were thrust into managing a team of 8 people for a mid-sized company, the highest producing team. Continually this manager referred to the work the team had done as ‘the work I have done’ and that reference to ‘me vs. we’ tore at the psyche of the team and each individual who was a part of it.

Ultimately, the team began to sabotage the manager just to get proper acknowledgment. This is common when the members of the team have been in the trenches or with the company longer than the manger.

When mangers go to that selfish focus, it is often a direct assault on each individual member of the team. And, when not corrected quickly, they can retaliate strongly. The members of this team began to stall on completing projects, no-showed for meetings, and started taking their offense to the president of the company (and anyone else who would listen) with a complaint against the manager.

The solution agreed by all levels of leadership and team was to provide the manger with an executive coach to identify areas for improvement and expansion of capacity. The leadership presence that was needed by this young manager would in theory be gained by providing coaching, training and mentoring.

Over a series of weeks, this manager learned their own qualities and areas for improvement, ultimately discovering that managing people was not one of them. Just because they knew the work, did not make them a manager of people, they were not the right person for the job.

Fortunately, this manager self-selected out of that position with the company and made way for someone with the management quotient necessary for the teams success to lead. It was a win-win for all, the team went on to increasing productivity and performance in operations by 67% within two-months after the shift in managers.

Coaching Questions:

What is your company's procedure for promoting managers? How has it worked in the past?
When you consider the I, Me vs. We factor in managing, what side of the pendulum do you reside?
How is performance measured in your organization on the Human Side of the equation?

2 more reasons to bake cookies for the team

2009-09-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

In the last post we shared two of the four reasons that executives, leaders, and business owners would benefit from baking cookies for the team. Not only is it encouraging to others and acknowledges effort, we know it supports connectivity and even shared vision.

When leaders work to collaborate, share and connect with their teams, they build a sense of common vision and unity among the tribe. While leaders may have great demands placed on them, that their teams don't know about, sharing time to give back can co-create a sharing of the proverbial burden. It gives the image that we are all in this together and 'I' (as leader) appreciate your efforts toward 'our' (as team) success.

The remaining 2 reasons for leaders to bake cookies and share them with the team, really speak to the soul of the team. Now while you may not don the tie and apron for the effort, the gesture alone speaks volumes.

Consider these two reasons as a plug to step outside what may be your comfort zones and try these on for size. Just like baking, it takes a clear recipe for success and the following may be just what your team needs to go to the next level.

Reason #3 - Nourishes the soul. While there may be no true nutritional value in your cookie recipe, the value to the soul factor is priceless. Showing the team that supports your vision that you care so much, to take the time to actually bake cookies, provides nourishment that does not have a rating scale per say. It elevates the soul level of the team to a place that can only be measured by output and communication levels. The team will pick up and move and you will likely be surprised how much you learn from sitting down with them, sharing cookies.

Reason #4 - Calibrates the team. Our teams can get out of sync pretty quickly if we aren't careful. The folks that work with you to create those extraordinary results, can get out of alignment just like the wheels on your car. Far too many leaders take the approach of a heavy hand to put things back in order. Unfortunately, that is a short lived and detrimental approach to the long-term success pattern of your team. Finding something that creates an openness for sharing and infuses a bit of fun into the day, brings the team together into alignment. Now, you still want to have a strategy in place for maintaining/sustaining that alignment and that may best come from an outside source to put it in place. The bottom-line is that to have a well aligned team, you will need to calibrate on a regular basis. Bringing everyone to the table to share some cookies can be just the infusion of fun, a simple antidote with great rewards.

To learn more tips and strategies for building a successful team, you may want to sign-up for our Ezine or to receive recipes for crowd pleasing cookies, click here.

Whatever route you take in an effort to build a stronger team, do what you can to find the support to remain consistent and thoughtful with your approach. Leaders have people around them to be the boots on the ground and get the work done, our teams need leaders that encourage, support and calibrate to sustain success.

4 Executive Reasons to make Cookies for the Team.

2009-09-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you enjoyed a fresh baked cookie? Not one you bought at the local Starbucks (although, their Oatmeal Cookies are great!), one that you made with your own hands?
Better yet, when was the last time you made cookies to share with your team?

Looking back to days of childhood past, do you recall how good it felt to come home from school to fresh baked cookies and a glass of milk? If your mom wasn't the June Clever type, worry not. Take a stroll down memory lane to a time when you enjoyed sharing a scrumptious, ooey, gooey delightful treat warm from the oven. Now catch a hold of that feeling it stirred inside. Got the picture?

As leaders, you demand a lot from those around you. Your expectations for top performance are set high and while that is necessary for the business demands, what are you doing to encourage the heart of your team? What have you done lately to stir a feeling of delight in the team around you?

When you are looking to boost productivity or roll out a new project, it is key to have mind and hearts prepared to receive and move. The next time, try baking the team some homemade cookies, you might just be surprised what you get on the other side. Today we'll share just 2 of the 4 reasons to make cookies for your team. We want to set you up for success, consider these tips as two keys to your teams success.

Reason #1 - Acknowledges you notice. Just like when you were a kid and mom made you your favorite cookie, those we lead on a day to day basis want to feel that they matter. They want to feel that we appreciate the little and the big things. Nothing says 'I see you' better than a homemade cookie on a whim.

Reason #2 - Encourages the heart. Accomplishing extraordinary things in organizations is hard work. To keep hope and determination alive, leaders recognize contributions that individuals make. In every winning team, the members need to share in the rewards of their efforts, so leaders celebrate accomplishments. They make people feel like heroes. (Kouzes/Posner)

Later we will go over the remaining two reasons to make cookies for your team. If you don't have a recipe to dive into in the kitchen, just sign up here to receive two of my favorite cookie recipes, they always work for me when I am in the mood to bake.

A Well-Kept Secret - This Coach wants YOU to Know About!

2009-09-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

As a business coach, I often work with clients around the topic of getting seen and celebrated in the marketplace. As we work with developing marketing strategies or communication plans, one of the tools that I often refer people to use is DIY Publicity Maven, Nancy S. Juetten.

One of the single best investments that you can make in your business right now, is to engage with Nancy at one of her Publici-Tea Events. You will walk away with tips and strategies that you can implement immediately into your marketing strategy and start producing results.

"Folks continue to rave about the value and the impact these events have on their growing businesses, and I can't wait to share the information with even more publicity-seeking business owners who are finally ready to get known for their winning ways through the power of free publicity!" Nancy Juetten, founder of DIY Publici-Tea and author of the Media-Savvy-to-Go toolkit.

My friend Nancy's next event is scheduled for Friday, October 16, 9:30am and she is hosting it at the lovely Seattle Design Center!

To learn more about Nancy's products and event, or to sign up, please follow this link. Take a tip from the Business Coach and take the time and make the investment to get Seen, Heard and Celebrated in your marketplace!

4 Coaching Tips to Help When It's Time to Let Go and Move On!

2009-09-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

Ideas are for a season - businesses are too.

Recently I heard a story of a business owner with a really great idea. Their idea was so good, they just knew that it was going to revolutionize their SOI - Sphere of Influence. As they nurtured their idea to reality, they were met with severe opposition, at every juncture. Yet the opposition or resistance was not something they viewed as reason to stop moving on their idea.

How many of you know that there are times when being met with an opposing force can actually be good for your idea. It can help you gain clarity around what you are doing and what the outcome may look like. But the question is, do you know when it is time to let go of an idea because ideas can actually be for a season?

Depending on how you answered that question will tell you how to proceed through this post. Knowing with all clarity when an idea may be for a season is key for knowing when to let go and move on. It is in the times when we keep pressing in and forward on an idea, without calibrating our steps, that can cause serious wheel spinning. What is significant is increasing one's ability to identify when letting go is actually more beneficial than hanging on. Even if it is more than an idea, it's a business, or partnership, or employee.

Once you have identified that letting go and creating a plan for moving on from your idea or whatever it is you are hanging on to is your next best step, here are 4 coaching tips to help you.

Tip #1 - Make your list. Write out the pros and con's to moving and/or sticking with it. Attach your feelings and emotions to the list - how do each on make you feel? When we clearly know the "why factor" and the feelings it evokes, the letting go can be smoother.

Tip #2 - Write an Affirmation. We know that affirmations are powerful as we move toward the changes we want to make in our lives and businesses. Much research has been done that supports using affirmations daily increases our self efficacy. Well using affirmations can be powerful for the things we 'don't want' just as they are for the things we 'do.' So, write an affirmation the supports your transition and say it two times a day.

Tip #3 - Acknowledge the work you have done. Often times when we make a decision to let go of an idea and move away from it, we leave out acknowledging the many hours and work that went into it to this point. When we set aside self-promotion and advocacy for a dismissive attitude or simply just by ignoring our efforts, we aren't gifting our mindset with the opportunity to celebrate, even failures. There are learning opportunities everywhere, even in our failures or course corrections. Don't deny yourself that gift by neglecting to honor your work.

Tip #4 - Make a To-Do list. Now that you have your Pros and Con's, Affirmation and Acknowledgment, it's time to make your list for next steps. It's the "what will I do differently" list. The one that will help move you to the next level in your journey. Remaining open to possibility in this transition is so key to the success on the other side of it. Most successful people fail many times before they hit their stride. By letting go of an idea, partnership or even business is not the end,it is only the beginning. And as we do at new cross-roads, we gain clarity around what to do next. It starts with a list which turns into an agreement and an action plan for the future.

By applying these four tips to your transition, you will navigate well through the ever changing waters. Sometimes it takes going back and reassessing multiple times, writing new affirmations and keeping up to date on your list. And when you are faithful to the process, you will feel more in control of the change happening around you.

#1 Tip with 7 Coaching Questions to Identifying the Root of Your Fear

2009-09-16T20:33:00.000-07:00

Recently I have heard many conversations still happening around Fear and Business. As a business coach, I am continually faced with inquiring with clients around the root of their fear. While the word fear we all know is False Evidence Appearing Real, the feelings it causes are very real.

Fear in our day. Fear in our business. Fear in our family can be very scary. It can give a sensation that feels paralyzing to some and creates a sense of powerlessness for others.

So, what do we do about that? Well, it starts with understanding what the root cause for your fear truly is. Not what you think it is. Not using it to point fingers or blame someone else. Not what others have attached to you. Get to the root cause for you. That can be done in a number of ways, and not until we identify it, can we remove it.
Let's get started.

#1 Tip to identify the root of your fear using powerful coaching questions. Print these questions off and partner with a trusted colleague or friend, someone who challenges you to go bigger in life. This person is your mentor or even a champion for your success, the key is, they don't let you get away with stories. Sit with them and ask them to ask you this series of questions.
Q: What does the fear look like, right now - name it, detail it. (Ask What Else until you run out of things to say on this question.)
Q: How does it make you feel, in your head, heart, shoulders and even chest?
Q: What do you when the fear arises? (Ask What Else until you run out of things to say on this question.)
Q: Think of a time in the past, before this fear, how were you different? How was the situation different?
Q: What has changed? (Ask What Else until you run out of things to say on this question.)
Q: How would your life/business be different if this (fear) wasn't in your way?

At this juncture, journal and reflect on your answers. Notice what you have given sanction to in your life, thoughts, words and actions that may be limiting you and your ability to grow. Then have your partner ask this final question.

Q: What are you willing to do to begin to create/design/live the life and business that you want, without that fear? Pick one thing today and agree to check back in at a set time to celebrate the wins and set more intentions for change.

This process can take an hour or a day. It takes whatever time it needs to take. I invite you to try it out as you commit to uncovering what the root to the fear is and get it out!

Power to the Peaceful

2009-09-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

Two words that don't seem to blend well together are Power and Peaceful. In business and leadership we don't often see those two in harmony or stride. In fact, one tends to dominate the other, any guesses which one?

But in the world of ease and self care, we do hear a lot about the power of peace. There are festivals that celebrate living in the power of peaceful. There are books and retreats and a host of other indulgences to support finding balance. So what happened in business to create such an adversarial element between the two essential life qualities?

Why do we have to choose one over the other in leadership? What has created this adversarial positioning in politics and business? How can we make achieving power and peaceful a 'both and' versus a 'one over the other?'

In my tips booklet 52 Exquisite Self-Care Tips for the Professional Woman, tip number 21 is one of my favorite and I think it blends power and peaceful nicely. Tip # 21: Give Yourself a Time Out! With a cup of tea in hand, find your favorite place to cop a squat and be intentional about breathing in and letting go. Do this just 5 minutes a day.

When we take time each day to breathe in what is good and exhale the strain of what is pressing us down, we find balance within to walk in full strength. Ultimately submitting up under power and giving in to our inner peace. This is true in our business world too. Taking in the fullness of peace and letting go of need for control, or anxiety, balances us out. Ultimately giving power to the peaceful in our world.

Coaching Question: How might you be curious with Power and Peace in your world?

Cross Polinating for Success- Bees Do it, How About You?

2009-09-13T17:19:00.000-07:00

Have you found it is easier to promote other business people's services over your own? Do you find that you bumble for the words to explain fluidly what you do when you can talk for hours about the success rate of your colleagues? How do you feel about selling your services to potential clients?

Well if you answered yes to either of those questions, relax, you are not alone. Recently I watched as I talked to Coaches, Consultants, Professionals and Entrepreneurs and asked questions about how they promote their business - 4 out of every 5 people were stumbling for words. They were self conscious and nervous about "doing it right."

When asked to give a win or celebration for what they were up to in business, most couldn't find an answer. And, when asked how they felt about selling their services, nearly 100% said they didn't enjoy it - "it was the necessary evil part of doing business."

On the reverse, when the same group was asked about a colleague's services, hands down each person could celebrate and acknowledge and sell the services of their colleague with grace and ease. Astonishingly when asked the inevitable "why" the answers were just as clear. "It's easy to talk about what 'they' do, it's not me talking about me." Are you in the same boat? Can you talk about others successes better than your own?

So what to do. Well, I have come up with a solution to get beyond the centuries old challenge of selling our goods and services with confidence while earning a sustainable income. Easy, just Surround Yourself with others who can sell you and you can sell them! It's called cross pollinating and it's really simple and a lot of fun.

The strategy is simple and sweet like honey.

Imagine the power in having a group of colleagues who are evangelists for you and your business out promoting and selling on your behalf! Imagine if you had 10 evangelists and each enrolled one client contact and that 10 turned into new clients. Imagine what you could do as an evangelist for another person's business? What might that contribution look like for their business? The cycle goes on and on. They share about you, you share about them and what we have are success stories all around us.

Remember, we have the power within us to grow and prosper other people's business and they have that same power working on your side! Take the time today to identify your team of evangelists and start spreading the good news and allowing them to do the same for you.

3 simple steps to Master the Mindset

2009-09-12T17:40:00.000-07:00

Mastering our mindset is perhaps on of the greatest success strategies I know in working with executives and business leaders. It is also one of the most challenging things to do. Why is that?

Well, working with clients at all levels of management and business success I have noticed a parallel. It is the same parallel that our mastermind group members experience and even my friends.

Our mindset motivates and activates us toward success or failure.

The very thing that gets in the way for so many people is the thing that often is ignored or put on the shelf for later. Mindset. It is also (I believe) one of the most powerful tools we posses. When we take off the blinders, lift up the headphones and move away from the screen, we begin to engage in a new way. It is at that moment a person really begins to channel the power of their mindset into defining their success. It requires commitment to the process and a bold willingness to try on something and even uncomfortable to move toward mastery.

So, how do we engage with our mindset for our advantage? Here are 3 simple steps to get you moving in that direction.

Step 1: Get the Picture. When we have a clear picture of what we want, where we are moving toward or the end result of our goal, we have a greater chance of achieving it. Identifying that image and getting a tangible reminder to go with it helps to keep it very present and top of mind. The awareness the picture creates supports the action.

Step 2: Affirmation - Affirm where you are going, not where you have been. Once you have identified your vision, gotten the picture and created that tangible piece to hold onto, use your words to affirm the outcome. Focusing on where you are moving to and what it will feel like to be there will draw you closer to your success. Speak your affirmation as if you have already received it, that is the key to successful affirmations.

Step 3: Dispute Negative Nellie - You may live with these people or work with them on a daily basis. You may have a committee in your own head at any given time. We know that we become most like those we spend the most time with, so if you are hanging with negativity, it's no wonder your mindset is set toward the opposite of what you want to achieve! Try this instead. When the negative word or even thought comes up around your situation or goal, take back the power and shout it down! Then follow it up with your affirmation. Remember, words are powerful, use them wisely.

It is important to take the temperature how you view your world and the fears or successes that drive you. When you do, you will get a clear picture of what might be getting in your way to success. That very picture in turn can be used to shout down the negativity and fear. By stomping it out and speaking what you want instead, you will begin to move closer to what you want.

For more on the Power of Mindset, you can email me to receive your free copy of the audio file on the subject.

What's your perspective on change?

2009-09-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

At all levels, making career transitions can be among the most challenging to navigate. I know this personally because about 5 years ago now I embarked upon a major career change of my one. Leaving what many perceived to be a "secure" job with government for the Private Sector and Entrepreneurship. It left many people wondering and doing a bit of head scratching, truth be told.

People could not get their head around why I would leave a job like I had for something so unpredictable and solely reliant upon, me.

Looking back now, I see that the transition that I made was not only for me, it was for who would be come my future clients. Interesting perspective right? Most change really is easier to handle and balance out when we look at multiple different perspectives. It is how we handle the decision process, in general, that makes up how we navigate change. Let me explain.

The perspective that I held closely on change was and is a very positive one. I believe that change, when planned and thought out can be very good. I also believe that those changes that catch us off guard can be equally as (if not more) gratifying. It is the frame of mind we look at the situation with that counts. Getting locked on to the way it "was" or "should" be can derail us real quick and in a hurry.

What works well, whether change is handed to us or we seek it out on our own, is to know the strategy necessary for the smooth transition. That comes from knowing and understanding your heart motive during the transition. While it may be handed to you without choice you can transition through very easily when you know what is important to you. Seeking ways to find the opportunity in the midst of transition will give you a greater sense of efficacy in the midst of sometimes challenging circumstances.

Coaching Question: How do you handle change? What has derailed you in the past with transition? What commitment are you willing to make to yourself in support of smooth transitions?

Part 2 - 4 steps to Avoid Communication Breakdown

2009-09-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

How are you doing today with your Communication Strategy? What progress have you made with the two tips provided to support you in avoiding a communication breakdown?

Yesterday we covered some good points on things that get us into communication breakdown. We also addressed 2 of the 4 strategies to help in avoiding a breakdown all together. So today, not only will we finish the conversation around the 4 tips, we will dig deeper on ways that two-sided communication works best.

Much has been written about how people communicate. There are books, courses, online seminars and teleseminars on the subject for personal and business communication. So, with all the information available to help us, why do so many people struggle and complain that communication is the #1 issue at work and home?

A bottom-line answer might be - People Don't Listen.

In our effort to be more clear, to have more engaging conversations, many people have stopped listening to each other. They are busy spewing words of discontent, frustration or blame all the time ignoring what the other person on the end is saying. Both people throw their hands up and walk away feeling broke, busted and disgusted with the encounter.

The next time, try engaging in a listening exercise. Start with saying 'Here is what I heard you say,' and wait to see if you are on point or missed the mark. Remove the emotion from the equation and just allow the words to tell the story. You will be surprised at what the words tell you.

Try applying these next 2 steps (3 and 4) in the communication process. They will not only help you in saying what you need, but support you in hearing what needs to be heard.

3) Ask for what you Want - We have all heard the expression Assume nothing, it only makes an A_ _ out of U and Me. Well, with communication that is typically spot on. When we make assumptions that the other person understands, knows what we need or gets what we are saying, 9 times out of 10 we get in trouble. That is because we are leaving a lot to chance or often filling in the blanks instead of stating what we want or need. In your next communication challenge, try stating clearly your intention, right upfront. Bottom-line your need and be open to listening to the other person. If you don't ask for what you want/need, no one else will either.

4) Be willing to say 'I am Sorry' - Perhaps the most powerful word in the dictionary (in my opinion) 'Sorry.' And perhaps the most misused word in the world, sorry. That powerful word can be used to build up and to tear down if not used carefully. It is amazing that so many people don't know how to use it or use it with care. It is not a word to hold us in a victim mode, nor is it to be used freely in every other sentence. It is a word that when reserved for those moments in time when we truly have missed the mark, erred in judgment or mistreated another person. It also has the power to heal and restore quicker than anything else. If only people really knew how to use it and use it well our teams, families and world would be a better place.

With communication it is quite simple, always remain open to the possibility that you may have made a mistake and be willing to say so. Then ask for what you want, use your I words that support your refined motive as you listen with a heart to know more.

And remember, communication is a two-way street. There is the sender and receiver and they have shared responsibility and access to the collective success.

Coaching Question: What one step will you begin to apply today to support your communication success tomorrow?

4 Steps to Avoid a Communication Breakdown-Part 1

2009-09-09T19:39:00.001-07:00

We have all been there. In the middle of what we believe to be a good conversation, expressing our side, giving our input and right before our eyes something explodes. It leaves us wondering, 'how did this happen?'

The scenario is not uncommon. It happens in our relationships, it happens in our offices, with our friends and family. It happens on the phone, it happens at the grocery store and even driving our car. Whether we are communicating verbally or in writing, a communication breakdown can happen at any moment.

In a work setting, many people just think that by ignoring the breakdown, the problem will miraculously go away. Others feel hopeless that no matter what they try, nothing will work and they are left to feeling defeated with no control. Some may take on the challenge of addressing the breakdown upfront only to retreat to their corner when met with opposition.

In a family or personal relationship, often times our communication strategy is to simply get what we want with least impact as possible. But what happens overtime is that we stop talking all together because the path of least resistance only creates avoidant behaviors.

While communication is an art form in and of itself, it is not as difficult as some believe it to be. The key to good and clear communication is to always be willing to speak on the side of truth. Often times the age old adage that Less is More rings true with how we communicate. Our emotions can drive the tone and flavor of the simplest of messages leading to total upheaval in our work and family.

To assist you in developing a new strategy that supports good communication, we have outlined 4 easy to implement steps that you can start using today. Today we will detail the first two of the steps to support you in transforming the way you communicate.

1) Identify your Motive - Just as you do when you get in your car to drive, you have a motive and a plan of where you are going, and how you want to get there. The motive is key to the success of your trip, it impacts the choices you make and the outcome of the effort. Communicating is no different. You have a motive, whether clearly identified or not, and you will have an outcome. The success of the trip is also impacted by the choices you make. Good and bad, right and wrong. The key is understanding your motive in such a way that the plan or course you choose toward your outcome is the most efficient and effective. While you can't always avoid the speed bumps or pot holes, you can make course corrections and adjust your speed to ensure a safe arrival.

2) Speak from a Place of I not U - With your motive clear, and your plan mapped out, it is always best practice to speak from that place of I - not YOU. That means we choose our words, just as we do our course of action, carefully. We focus on explaining what 'I understand,' or 'I need,' or why 'I am confused.' The party on the other end of the communication will most always receive what you are saying more openly when you aren't pointing a finger at them. When we use words that focus on fault finding and blame, asserting that 'you did this' or 'you don't understand,' we put people on the defensive. Recovering from a defensive stand is one of the most difficult communication barriers to overcome. By keeping the focus on what you need, want, understand and desire - the you is on you, not them.

Tomorrow we will cover the final 2 of the 4 steps to avoiding communication breakdown. With these simple to implement steps in your toolkit for success, you will most assuredly see marked improvements in your relationships at work and home.

Coaching Q's: What is your communication strategy? On a scale of 1-10, how successful do you feel with your communication skills? What (if anything) do you want to change about that?

The 4 reasons that got me to Yes!

2009-09-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

Today a message caught my attention on Facebook that I couldn't walk away from. It was a simple call to action, the very type that I use with clients all the time. A clear invitation that when put to action will produce extraordinary results.

So, what was the invitation? "New Post: 30 day Blogging Challenge - Are you in?" That was it. One bottom-line question for a bottom-line girl. I clicked on the link provided by the author Sandra Martini and read with excitement. Before I got to the end of the post, I knew my answer was a clear YES. It was just the thing I wanted for inspiration and motivation for change.

So this, the first post of 30 in 30, is simple and to the point. And in the momentum the invitation has created, it leaves me wondering one thing. When something moves you to action, how quickly do you actually take action?

Today my quick, inspired action was because of 4 little things.

1) Three words - One big question: "Are You In" caught my eye and caused me to click on the link provided to find out more. That simple question made me want to say yes, even before I read the entire invitation.

2) A Blogging Challenge has always been something I wanted to do and trying to blog for 30 days in a row sound like a fun place to start.

3) Reminiscent Inspiration from my favorite movie of the year, Julie & Julia. I left that theatre with tears glistening on my cheeks at the realization of a dream dismissed. My heart is to shift perspective and challenge assumptions while inspiring bold conversation - the best way to do that in the age of technology, be a voracious blogger. Time to pick up the dream and play.

4) Right Place, Right Time. "30 Day Blogging Challenges are a great way to get in the habit of doing one ordinary thing each and every day which moves your business forward." This was the sentence from Sandra's blog that had the greatest impact on getting to my YES. I am always seeking ways to 'move forward' in life and business, here is my newest opportunity.

I invite you to join me on this journey for 30 days. What will it take to get you to YES?

Going with the Flow or Walking the other Way?

2009-08-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

Changing our mindset and standard operating procedures is not an easy task. However as leaders, it is your responsibility to not just be up for the challenge, but to model the way. Your organizations have thought enough of your skills and qualities to provide you with some extraordinary tools, share them. Now you may be wondering how to more effectively use them. Not uncommon at all.

Some of the things you might have noticed is how negative the world is. You've noticed it in the newspaper. You've noticed it on television and you have noticed it in the office. If you are like me, you may be amazed at how negative people really are! People often talk a lot about what's wrong with the world, not what's right in the world. While we know it's always been there, the Reticular Activating System (RAS) is what is picking up on it now. Remember that when your awareness has been activated to what is going on around you, you have one of two choices to make. A) go with the flow or B) walk the other way.

Unfortunately, what we often do is join in the negativity instead of standing against it. Remember, the more we affirm the behavior we don't want (in self and others,) the more we or they become like it. So the more we continue to go along with the negativity, the more we become...negative. And worse of all, it keeps us in a box versus allowing us to stretch and grow.

Imagine for a moment if we put up a moratorium on All negative self talk and negative hitch hiking. All means All folks. What might that be like? Share your comment here, we would love to hear your tips and struggles with "abolishing the negativity."

Coaching Q's

Where have you noticed negativity in your workplace?

What limiting beliefs might you have around canceling out negativity?

How has your negative self talk gotten in your way to leading effectively?

What action will you take today, to change the way negativity shows up around you?

Business Networking and Dolphin Leather - how do they relate?

2009-03-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

Interesting start right? Dolphin Leather and Business Networking, how do they relate. Well Seth Godin has done it again with a thought provoking blog post that I just had to insert some comments in the middle of.

His compelling description of an old story from the bible, Noah and the Ark, had a piece that somewhere along the line I never caught. Part of the instructions for building the ark was to use Tanned Dolphin Leather. Yes, you heard it right. And what I loved that Seth did (and does) so well, he tied this journey, the quandary and the inquiry around the notion of dolphin leather - to business. Go Seth Godin!

The concept is really simple. Sometimes we get stuck on the how to get something done, the object or the obstacles themselves and lock out the truth in the middle of the experience. The Mission! Seth refers to it as a community-based quest right in the middle of the mission. I love that! It's in the mission itself that is the quest.

You see, when we can get away from the exact way of doing something, (because we've always done it that way) and look at the objective through different lenses, we can create something really cool. Teams can often lose sight of, if they in fact possess it, the mission because they get caught up in the implementation. Families disengage from one another because they lose sight of the common vision and mission for the collective whole. What's important to remember about the Dolphin Leather is that community working toward a collection of goals, with a clear mission is more powerful than working toward one goal and achieving it alone. The lessons we learn from others form a bond and community that is priceless.

Coaching Q:

What is my experience with going after the goal or task?

What do I notice about my business mission and action plan that may have me excluding community?

How will I engage in the collective whole toward establishing and/or honoring the mission?

What significance (if any,) do I see for me with Dolphin Leather and Business Networking?

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Business Networking for Cool People - 4 simple steps

2009-02-26T06:13:00.001-08:00

Ok, maybe the title really wants to be Networking for Dummies. Why? Because if I can do it successfully, anybody can do it successfully!

Let's try a little experiment, when you envision what Networking looks like for you, what do you feel in your gut about that? Anyone? Well, I used to get a stomach ache when people would talk to me about networking for my business growth. Not because I didn't like to talk to people, oh tout à fait contraire my friend, I really enjoy people and talking with people. And I didn't like feeling that I was just going to people for leads. That was my uncomfortableness with networking. Well, I came up with a plan for networking that feeds my soul and business at the same time. How?

By contributing to others first.

It is really simple, networking with other really cool people that I like, Nancy Juett en comes to mind as she is the coolest DIY Publicity chic I know! She is a wealth of information for the average joe or sally to become their own publicity guru. And, she shares the wealth of generosity by talking about you in her very well read blog. By connecting with Nancy I have learned how to get the word out through multiple venues about the work that I do or the places that I am speaking. She is a true champion for others success and you can read more about how she does that by going to her blog, she has posted an event that we are both speaking at together in March there for all to see. If I wasn't out networking, I wouldn't have met Nancy Juetten and that would have been a real bummer.

When I was looking at creative ways to network by first contributing, I of course went to Biznik .com to take a look at their upcoming events and to see where I could plug in. Well, what I discovered there was a rich and flourishing network of other people who really want to give into the success of others. There are many people I met through Biznik that have really contributed to my networking success. And, I encourage all of you to get to know the Team at Cat's Eye Marketing, Bob and Judy Dunn. They are a wonderful husband and wife team that are gifted in marketing with ease and comfort. They have worked with me on projects with copy writing (Judy is a Master) and a model for successful blogging (Bob's niche) but mostly they have been a resource of just good people.

I have met great people and built excellent contacts as a result to focusing on successful and creative networking. There are powerful people you can meet in networking with cool people, with just few steps required.

Step 1: Shift your Perspective - networking isn't about how many cards you can collect, it is about the quality relationships you can build. Put yourself in places to meet people that are interested in your success as much as their own. Biznik is a great place to start, events are free and you will meet some really cool people, join today it doesn't cost anything.

Step 2: Change Your Approach - networking is about paying it forward. It's not longer about giving leads at every turn or be penalized. Statistics show that the best leads come from the 2nd and 3rd tier of relationship. It's not me, it's who I know and who they know that counts. So that means - approach it as you would building a friendship. Give and then receive

Step 3: Be Consistent - networking is best done on a continuum not in batches and spurts. Set a schedule of events and groups to participate in, make your self seen consistently and people begin to know you are there for the long run, not the short term. That builds trust and people want to refer others they trust.

Step 4: Let Your Light Shine - networking is often nerve racking for some people, if you show up nervous then that shows on your face and may put people off. When we come forward with generosity on our hearts and allow our truest personality shine through, we build those valuable relationships quickly. So relax and be part of the group, step away from the wall.

So there you have it. 4 simple steps to expanding your community and networking with really cool people. For more on networking, join me as I host a table at the NW Women's Show Total Networking Party. You will learn to network from leading experts in Sales, Marketing and Networking Techniques. You will be in the company of women eager to learn, mingle, and connect.

What will you do today for tomorrow's success?

4-Steps to Cultviate a Single Idea that May Change the World

2009-02-09T23:13:00.000-08:00

Last week brought to a close a project that had been on my books for many months. That was the Puget Sound Coaches Association, coaching conference. Coaching: Creating Conscious Choice and Change. It was an exceptional event with extraordinary outcomes.

While in the midst of preparing for the event in Seattle, Washington, I learned of a fascinating story from one of our corporate sponsors, IRC Print and Design. The owner of the company, Trisha Ferguson and her team have a history in the world of flight that has forever changed the lives people around the world. IRC prints the seat pocket safety cards that are on most major Airlines, including the US Airways Airbus A320 that ditched in the Hudson River on January 17, 2009.

These little cards, (that most of us likely would 'reluctantly' admit that we don't read them on every flight,) are being attributed as one of the key indicators of success for the US Airways crew getting all passengers off that plane. These cards, a little annoyance to many in the pre-flight getty-up, were a single idea by one man who saw a need and filled it. A single thought that turned into not just a thriving business but a life saving tool used around the world.

What I noticed as I watched the faces around the room as that story was shared at the coaches conference was a bit of a pause and then the light bulb effect. You know the one, the type that when we allow it to land in our heart or center of being it takes root and the potential from that point in is limitless. It's when eyes and minds begin to wander, "what single idea do I have that when detonated, can change the world."

The conference on February 5, 2009 in Seattle was much of that type of effect for people. There were nuggets of information and idea sharing that were seeds planted and some took root in the minds and action plans of coaches from around the world. There was an extraordinary energy in the air with all the ideas a flutter, with people prophesying what could be that next world changing thought.

Many of you may have had a similar experience recently. One where you heard an idea and your creativity and heart just took over and from it something marvelous was birthed. Well, if that new ‘thing’ were to detonate, what might the outcome be? Consider these 4-steps to nurturing that new idea into something world changing.

Step 1: Write it down and make it plain. Often we have great ideas that are wrapped in our heads and we never make them plain on paper. When we do that, we open up our creativity with our visual effects of seeing it in black and white.

Step 2: Identify the pieces to the puzzle. What are the components of this new idea that when they come together you will have your Monet on paper. Create your vision with pictures and words to create a feeling that is palpable.

Step 3: Gather your panel of experts. Often we work in silo’s of isolation that can hinder our creativity. Bring together your own executive panel or panel of experts to support you, encourage you, brainstorm and create with you what you want to manifest with your new idea.

Step 4: Affirm that you have what it takes to turn this single idea into something extraordinary. Dr. Albert Bandura study behavior and found that ‘our mind will not let us see what we do not believe we can achieve.’ When we affirm what we are moving toward, we become acition-oriented with our approach. Affirm what you see and be ready to make it so!

What one idea do you have that may change the world?

I invite you to share your success and thoughts with us. A robust conversation always benefits the exploration.

How to create your own Personal Brand?

2009-01-05T08:18:00.001-08:00

As the economy twists and turns with more layoffs mounting – having a strong personal brand is becoming ever more important from a career perspective.

But what does that mean? Do you launch a blog? Do you start a Twitter account? Do you launch your own Vlog? Or maybe some combination of all of the above.

To get some more clarity on this I interviewed Dan Schawbel the author of the Personal Branding blog. He will also be releasing a new book called Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success (due out with Kaplan in April 09). In my opinion, Dan is also the hardest working guy in Social Media posting 10 times a week on his blog, publishing his own magazine and book as well as having a full time job as the social media expert for EMC!

About Dan

Dan Schawbel is the leading personal branding expert for Gen-Y. He is the author of “Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success (Kaplan, April 2009)."

Presently, Dan is a Social Media Specialist at EMC Corporation, which is one of the leading technology companies in the world. He has helped revolutionize the way EMC communicates and collaborates with all stakeholders. He has spearheaded the company’s Twitter, Facebook, social media press release/newsroom, social bookmarking and blogging strategy in the past year.

Dan has introduced a whole new generation to personal branding, as he opens up new opportunities and strives to elevate the practice. His Personal Branding Blog is consistently ranked in the top 70 marketing blogs in the world by AdAge, and has achieved syndication from Forbes, Reuters and Hoovers. Dan publishes Personal Branding Magazine, is the head judge for the Personal Brand Awards and directs Personal Branding TV.

He has written articles in major magazines and online resources such as BrandWeek Magazine, PRWeek, About.com, Web Worker Daily, T & D Magazine, Small Business Opportunities Magazine, MarketingProfs, Advertising Age, TheLadders.com and The American Marketing Association. He is a frequent media commentator, cited in such outlets as Fast Company, ABC News, Boston Globe, Monster.com, Young Money Magazine, BNET, ReadWriteWeb, Providence Business News, Marketing News, Brand Strategy Magazine (UK) and Yahoo! Finance.

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Don't Let the Holiday's STEAL your Joy!

2008-12-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

The holidays are a special time to be together with our family and friends. They can also be a time of introspection....a time to reflect on what is most important to us in our life.

Oh – who am I kidding.

For some people, the holidays become rushed....filled with too many social events and not enough time to rest and rejuvenate. We feel out of balance. By taking a little time to ourselves, we can enjoy the holidays even more.

Don't let stress steal the joy from the season. You will greatly appreciate the health benefits when life returns to normal.

The holiday season should be a happy time, but are you just too tired to smile?

Waiting in long, slow lines everywhere.
Cooking all day and all night long for that big feast.
Cleaning, decorating, gift-wrapping, traveling, socializing--just thinking about all that work makes you want a holiday from the holiday.
Add to that the daily pressures of your job and your family and the financial and mental strain from trying to find money to buy gifts for everyone and pay the mortgage, the car note and the utility bills, and you got a major bout of seasonal burnout.

Stressing out during the hectic holidays wears down your immune system and leaves you open to colds, flu, headaches, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart attacks and a host of other health problems. Not to mention that stress can aggravate existing health conditions and ruin what could be a joyous time for your and your loved ones.

Save time, money and your sanity this holiday season by trying these stress-busting strategies:

* AVOID THE SUPERHERO SYNDROME. Wonder Woman and Superman were only Comic Book characters. It's time to hang up the cape!

* DON'T PROCRASTINATE. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong if you wait until the last minute.

* BEAT THE CROWDS. Shop during off-hours so that you won't have to battle stressful holiday crowds and stressful holiday traffic.

* Traveling? CHECK IN EARLY. - check the Web first for flight status-get prepared with a back-up plan.

* RELAX. Spending just 15 minutes alone each day can give you the rejuvenation you need to handle daily stress

* Laugh often - it's the best medicine on the market

* Rest - get a solid night's sleep, you will be richly rewarded after the Holiday's

* Spread Holiday Cheer- give it away for free, a smile goes a mile

We know that when we take the focus off ourselves, our situation our pressures and task lists, and focus our energy toward something that will bring goodness to others, our own self efficacy increases, our own self-worth and hope enlarges and we expand our awareness from self to others. That is truly what the holiday’s are about any way right?

Acronym to remember! S.T.E.A.L

Start Today, Eager to Allow Laughter to infect each day this Holiday season.

Coaching Exercise

What will you do this season to reward yourself?

How will you build relaxation into your holidays?

How will you plan to share the holiday cheer with others this season?

What do you notice about yourself and any lingering Super Hero syndrome you may have?

How do you feel about asking for help this season of Joy and Happiness? What do you want to change about that?

Will you write out your plan for the season, make it plain, so that you avoid procrastination and stress to infiltrate your holiday's?

Join the FREE TeleSeminar with Howard Behar!!

2008-12-10T12:09:00.001-08:00

Join me Thursday, December 11 at 2:00 pm Pacific Time as I interview Howard Behar, for President of Starbucks. We will be discussing his new book, It's Not About the Coffee.

Listen for call-in information.

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#2 Success Principle (2 of 10)

2008-11-21T14:07:00.001-08:00

Greetings,

Tammy Redmon here your Coach for Transformation with the second success principle from my new favorite book by the former president of Starbucks Coffee, Howard Behar – It’s Not About the Coffee.

#2 - Know Why You’re Here: Do it because it’s right, not because it’s right for your resume:

The path to success comes from doing things for the right reasons. You can’t succeed if you don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish and without everyone being aligned with the goal. Look for purpose and passion in yourself and the people you lead. If they’re not there, do something.

This 2nd principle from the book It’s Not About the Coffee, by former Starbucks President, Howard Behar is right on the money. It goes to know your purpose, know your passion and what values are supported by what you do. When you know those key areas for yourself, no matter what phase in life you currently are, you will know your own success.

In my years working within and for companies both for-profit and non-profit, for myself and for others, I have seen people come and go for purposes to build their resume - only. This breeds the wrong kind of culture and it can be detrimental to an organization. Now, that being said, I do believe that you are in positions in life for a season, they are ‘stepping stones’ to take you toward your true calling or bigger opportunity. However, while you are in those positions, it is important (and Mr. Behar points this out in his book) that you understand and know your ‘fit’ in the role you were hired for. Also that you align with the leadership vision and values – if you cannot then you are not doing anyone any favors by being there; least of all yourself.

That plays to the important knowing that you work toward the goal that most aligns with your purpose and your passion. That is also true for the people that are on your team. If you find yourself leading people who are not there to share in the journey for the collective ‘win’ then by all means, invite them into another opportunity.

Recently I had the pleasure to hear a part of a conversation at a leadership renewal within an organization of which I am affiliated. The conversation was between the ‘leader and a team lead’ and the question was posed around holding others accountable. How do you hold people who are volunteering accountable to what they said they would do – what do you do when they repeatedly don’t do what they committed to doing? Well the answer was a good one – always try to find out what is getting in their way to following through with their word and let them know the position they put others in by not doing what they said. My addition would be – give them a Vision/Values check on why they are there with you. You may find that they don’t agree with the vision and their values don’t align with yours. When and if you find that to be true, it is important to know that the likelihood of you bringing them along is pretty slim. The best strategy is to help them into an opportunity that fits (the hat they are wearing) with where they see themselves going. That is the right thing for you and for them, for your company/team and for their resume.

As Mr. Behar puts it, “when you are in a hole, stop digging” – here’s a key to this, we have to know as business owners and leaders what our purpose is and what hat we are wearing for this to work. It is that knowing beyond all knowing that will never fail you and it is imperative for growing strong businesses and teams. You may grow in company, older in years and your hat shouldn’t change UNLESS the vision has changed. The proverbial Hat is your purpose, your position may change within the company but the passion that drives you to make a difference is solid. It’s the ability to answer the question – Why am I here? What motivates you and your people?

Making sure that the answers above align with your core beliefs and values will keep you moving forward and will build nothing but health and wealth for your life and resume.

This is Tammy Redmon your Coach for Transformation with another strategy for success in life, business and beyond. Make it a great day!

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Success Principles

2008-11-17T16:42:00.001-08:00

Hello, (In case you would rather not listen to the audio, please read content below.)

Tammy Redmon here your Coach for Transformation with a tip and strategy from my new favorite book by the former president of Starbucks Coffee, Howard Behar – It’s Not About the Coffee.

In this hot little red book by one of the leaders from the great coffee giant, Starbucks you will gain greater insight into you as a leader and into your own personal success. Over the coming weeks, we will be covering the 10 principles of Personal Leadership that Mr. Behar has highlighted in his book.

Today we are covering Principle #1

1) Know who you are: Wear One Hat

Our success is directly related to our clarity and honesty about who we are, who we’re not, where we want to go and how we’re going to get there. When organizations are clear about their values, purpose, and goals they find the energy and passion to do great things.

When individuals have that same clarity, they are setting the stage to hit a home run. I liken it to driving to a destination. There are many road maps that you can read or take with you as you prepare for your journey. You can choose to use the map that has the straightest route or the road that takes you the longest route toward your final destination. Either way, you get to where you are going. Why? Because you know where you are going to and you pick the route that best fits for the driving conditions. You have clarity around where you are going to and then you get to the how. Which is the goal.

In business we use the same sense of direction for optimal success. What is my intended outcome – what does your business plan tell you? What strategy will you use? When you know these key elements, have them written down and clearly defined – you become singularly focused toward achieving your intended outcome. When you try to do too many different things that don’t align with the plan or intended outcome, you get off track and lose sight of the goal – ultimately you will self-sabotage your efforts for lack of focus.

I have noticed people today seem to be totally and completely over the Values/Purpose/Vision conversation in business. Why? I think in part because they have heard so much of it in recent years. It has been all the rage in organizations, business and personal life that they are tired or bored of it. I also believe it is in part because it takes significant effort to put a solid purpose/vision/values plan in place and to know what it is so well for your business that nothing gets in the way. Nothing alters you from the roadmap. Some people (I have found) think that it takes away from the creativity and spontaneity in business. I say, no way! To have that clarity of direction, to know that you know that you know you are heading due north on the roadway to success is key to achieving your goals and objectives in business. When we aren’t clear and honest with ourselves, we can mistakenly substitute passion for spontaneity and the energy to sustain our directed actions with chaos, which can bring us to a U, turn on our road to success.

Having a clear purpose, and being utterly clear on vision and values keeps you on the right side of the road, traveling in the direction of your purpose and your dreams. Why would you want to travel any other direction?

I loved what Mr. Behar said in his #1 principle for leading our own successful life – Our success is directly related to how Honest we are with who we are, where we are going and how we are going to get there (that’s my paraphrase.) To be honest with ourselves, is the truest form of acknowledgment and greatest transformative success strategy for our business and our life. Putting any other strategy first may only put a roadblock in our pathway to where our life wants to take us.

Being clear about your vision, identifying your passion and aligning both with your values is a success strategy that will take you safely on the proverbial road to success. If you are in need of a guided tour or roadside assistance to identifying your values/passion and vision, contact a successful coach today – they are a great tool for any road trip in life, business and beyond.

This is Tammy Redmon your coach for transformation with another success strategy. Check back in a few days when we cover Personal Leadership Principle #2 from my new favorite book by Howard Behar, (former President, Starbucks Coffee) - It’s Not About the Coffee.

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Something I wanted to share

2008-11-09T08:05:00.001-08:00

Greetings,

Here is an article that I wanted to share by one of my favorite authorities on building strong leaders. This is for all the leaders out there who may just be needing a little check -up. -TR

A Leadership Check-up

John C. Maxwell

A vital leader seldom waits for failure before appraising his or her leadership skills. These eight questions will help you evaluate your leadership strengths and weaknesses. You can then fine-tune your personal development program accordingly.

1. How and where do I have influence? Influence – not position or power – makes a leader successful. What is my current level of influence at work? How often do others turn to me for direction or approval? Do I see evidence of my influence both above and below me on the organizational chart? Who influences me and how? Remember, we often adopt both the strengths and weaknesses of those around us, so make sure you are not being influenced in a way that leads you away from your goals. In what new arenas can I extend my influence? It may be a new department, a new market or venue, a new partnership or alliance, or a new vendor or supplier.

2. Where can I improve my people skills? Someone can lead for a season based on position or problem-solving ability, but success in the long run depends on the ability to get along with and develop people.

• How can I improve my listening skills?

• How can I discover what motivates those whom I lead?

• Am I willing to ask more questions and get more input from others?

3. Do I have a positive outlook? A positive attitude alone doesn’t identify a capacity for leadership, but a negative spirit will always diminish a person’s leadership potential. The ability to master my own emotions gives me a sizeable advantage during crisis situations. Never forget that a crisis situation is precisely when leadership is most noticed and valued.

4. Do I see evidence of growth in self-discipline?

• Am I disciplined in my use of time?

• Do I willingly delay gratification in order to achieve worthwhile goals?

• Are there any evidences of lack of self-discipline in my appearance or work habits?

5. Do I have a proven track record of success in my field? Busyness is not an accurate indicator of success. Some people work like crazy and never accomplish anything. Past success is a key predictor of future success.

• What have I accomplished that I am proud of?

• Did those accomplishments include others?

• How does my experience relate to what I need today?

• Am I willing to put forth the effort again?

6. How are my problem-solving skills? Many people are impressed with their ability to spot a problem. Identifying a problem is easy; just about anyone can do it. Leaders must solve problems. In fact, where there are no problems, there is no need for leadership. Problem solvers don’t dwell on what went wrong or who was to blame. Instead, they spend their energies on finding a solution.

7. Do I refuse to accept the status quo? Growing leaders value progress over security. Not only are they dissatisfied with what is; they have a vision for what can be. The person who resists the status quo is willing to take a risk, be different, and pay the price for victory.

8. Do I have a big-picture mindset? How often do you step back to maintain perspective, especially in the face of distractions or pressure? Keeping a sense of direction when the fog of fatigue sets in is a trait of a gifted leader.

Self-evaluation is not for the faint-hearted. An honest assessment by these diagnostic questions will make you aware of at least a couple of areas where you need to sharpen your skills.

The question is – will you?

John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold over 12 million books. His organizations have trained more than one million leaders worldwide. Dr. Maxwell is the founder of Injoy Stewardship Services and EQUIP. Visit www.maximumimpact.com for more information about John or his companies.

Waging Battle

2008-10-28T11:23:00.000-07:00

Recently I was struck by a couple of interesting thoughts. So, as the questioning Coach that I am...I began exploring with a series of questions. I have shared them with you below. These are powerful questions, ones that will take time to explore the truth and meaning for you, your life, your business or whatever great endeavor you are up to.

These came to me as I was affirming thoughts and goals around Breakthrough and how I was looking for a touch of that in my life. You know how sometimes we get to going down our path and we can miss out on the breakthrough or win? Most-likely it's caused because we don't stop to reflect or celebrate when we do notice and tally in the WIN column. Well, I was in one of those spaces and realized that I was so busy moving, as in networking, crafting, building, meeting that I wasn't taking care to look at my successes. It got to feeling like I was just spinning and not well...winning. I was stuck in a box (container) and could feel the pressure building to battle the containment.

As I began to go wage warfare against what I perceived to be holding me back from my wins, the pressure began to build. But build in a good way. It caused me to wage battle from a place of violent action. Think about it, violent action. Not against anyone (oh my no!) but against the box I put myself in as I was building, crafting, networking etc. What I needed was a time-out in order for me to breakout! For me at that moment, in the midst of pushing and pushing, staying up late and getting up early to do more, build more and meet more - it was time to stop and that felt as the most violent action I could take. It was so against what I had been doing, it was not a welcome stop. But, it took me being bold to say 'time-out' in order for me to break the proverbial box I was in.

In that space of stopping was where my total breakthrough happened.

As coach I help my clients find their breakthrough, get out of their box and get into action. As coach, I am not perfect nor do I have 'it' all figured out. And, I know that in taking a deeper look at myself, gives me more clarity with my clients and makes me a stronger coach. Often times we don't expect to have the same struggles our clients do, we think we 'should' be beyond it, right? Well, no not so much. We are human beings who make choices every single day that impact our tomorrow. Taking time to just reflect is the key for me. When I do that action step, to be in gratitude for what I am creating, causes me to stay fresh and clear and on purpose. Just like many of you, when I get to forging my path without respit, I lose site and feel boxed in and lacking breakthrough. Ha, guess I am human too!

Coaching Exercise:

1. When was the last time you stopped to acknowledge your wins? How do you track them?

2. What might it look like to begin waging a battle against containment?

3. What is keeping you from your Total Breakthrough?

4. If you were to take Violent Action against your situation, to get out of the proverbial box, what would that look like for you?

5. What support do you want/need around you to take action and care of your current situation?

6. Will you journal your inspirations of gratitude at the end of each day for a week so that, you may reflect after 7 days on the powerful difference you make?

Get Outside Your Four Walls!

2008-10-24T10:10:00.001-07:00

Mobile post sent by TammyRedmon using Utterli. Replies. mp3

Hello friends,

Give a listen to my new post on Utterli called ' Get Outside Your Four Walls!"

Here's your Coaching Exercise from this audio post.

What obstacles are keeping me from getting out into the community?
What do I notice about myself, am I working on my business or in my business?
What is important to me about building relationships outside of my office? What (if anything) do I fear about that?
Who is in my network and how will I connect with them? What do I need from others as I reach out?
What am I committed to changing about the way that I am working within my business and my community?

Make it great day my friends, and remember, we don’t always get a do-over in life so Go Big!
Tammy

Free TeleSeminar - Relax...Reconnect...Reignite!

2008-10-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

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• Be aware of your most powerful sources of connection
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• Your passion for life and business – your natural energy source
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Everyone is talking! What will you do?

2008-10-14T06:31:00.000-07:00

Everyone is talking about it: The Credit Crunch. Recession. Falling stock prices. The doomed housing market.

If your business' budget is shrinking, you probably cannot afford to focus on talent, right? Wrong.

This is your organization's opportunity to think strategically ... and invest in the leaders of the future.

Business coaching has become a powerful tool in developing leadership in today’s increasingly competitive market. The research to date, strongly suggests that coaching develops executive leadership and is key in retaining an organizations major talent. The Executive coach brings a tool box of qualities which encourages and includes a genuine wish to support the executives professional advancement. The Executive in turn will learn and acquire the resources necessary to exercise his or her leadership abilities.

Essentially, coaching is about growing an individuals self leadership qualities and developing the potential to be one’s best. The practice of coaching continues to prove a fact: focused attention produces desired results.

Coaching Exercise:

What do you believe to be true about your organization in today's economy?
What can you identify as the three main obstacles that when moved, your road to success will open up?
How will you maneuver around them, with few casualties, while empowering your team to keep moving?
ask yourself- what strategy will produce the results I desire for myself, my team, my leaders?
What is my plan for building up the talent within my company?

Headlines got you worried?

2008-10-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

I received something today in my inbox that I had to share immediately. So many of my clients have been anxious (to say the least) with regards to the market and their company/business/family. For them hiring a coach to assist in moving forward, shifting momentum and setting in place solid growth strategies, while being full supported, has been key in these times. For those of you who haven't made that step, I thought this article was worth sharing to help put things in a different perspective, take it from the negative and get into action. That is the key.

From the desk of Robyn Grenspan, Editor-in-Chief of ExecuNet:

Step away from the headlines. There’s been no escaping the dominant stories of financial turmoil, which has injected insecurity into workers in nearly every sector. The VIX Index, which measures market volatility or "fear," hit its highest level since it started tracking in 1990, surpassing spikes from 9/11.

Many of us live at the intersections between Wall Street and Main Street, and even though the aftershocks will resonate for a while, the near long-term outlook is fairly decent. ExecuNet’s very recent Recruiter Confidence Index, a confirmed leading indicator of projected executive recruitment activity, is still around 50 percent, with some expected shakiness in the last quarter of 2008, but the first half of 2009 holds greater promise. Executive search firm Korn/Ferry International echoes that sentiment, forecasting demand for senior-level and higher educated talent.

There are some self-directed activities to help mitigate the anxiety or aid job search: Turn off the news channels and get outside to network. ExecuNet holds face-to-face networking meetings in roughly 50 markets every month where you can build connections, get expert and peer guidance, and exchange leads. If you prefer something less structured, organize your own small group to meet for coffee and support.

If jobs in your industry are evaporating, prepare for transition by becoming a student of one of the growth sectors: healthcare, energy/utilities, life sciences, high-tech and business services. Join a professional association, read the trade journals, immerse yourself in the language, network to leaders in that industry, and identify your transferrable skills. It will take some time to make the industry switch, but there are countless examples of executives who have successfully shifted, as evidenced by ExecuNet members who have been sharing their successful strategies with us in our General Management Roundtable group.

Shared from ExecuNet

Coaching Exercise:

What do you recognize about yourself in this article?
How much time a day are you spending reading the headlines, checking the market, talking about your portfolio? How is that action supporting business growth and ROI?
What one action can you do to produce greater results today than you did yesterday?
How many self-directed activities will you begin doing to mitigate the problems and fears?
Will you check out networking groups, associations, roundtable discussions in your area that support growth so that, you begin to be in action for moving ahead?

Executive Coaching on the Rise

2008-09-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

I saw an article last week that I thought would be great to share parts of with you. Pete Wolfinger, an editorial intern for SHRM, wrote it in support of Executive Coaching as a tool for Talent Management.

A recent look at using Executive Coaching as a Development Tool has proven what many of us (coaches) have known and it’s always good to have confirmation.

Investment in executive coaching is on the rise in organizations working to fill talent pipelines. These companies are benefiting from a high return on investment (ROI) for this coaching, according to a study by global outplacement and career management firm Drake Beam Morin Inc. (DBM) and the nonprofit think tank Human Capital Institute (HCI).

Studies have found a direct correlation leveraging Executive Coaching to groom talent, operational excellence and the bottom line. “Executive coaching has become an ideal talent management tool for increasing business performance and making a company’s best people better,” according to Peyton Daniel, senior managing director and coaching practice leader for DBM North America.

Study participants calculated ROIs ranging from 100 percent to 500 percent return, based on factors such as executive output, quality improvements, cost savings and senior leader turnover.

But coaching isn’t just about the money (ROI.)

It is important for employers to recognize the role coaching plays in keeping workers satisfied. This has been found to be most significant with ‘high potential’ mid-level managers.

When an organization selects to infuse Coaching into the company climate, I have seen improvements showing up in succession planning as well as, helping a capable executive perform at an even more optimal level.

Experts such as HCI Executive Director Allan Schweyer agree. “Talent management executives recognize that executive coaching can not only enhance situational learning but also lead to enhanced performance and a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

So, who's ready for a competitive advantage? In today's marketplace, with the ever changing landscape, coaching has been proven to calm fears, strengthen the bottom line and improve employee satisfaction.

Here are some coaching questions for your consideration based on this article:

Coaching Exercises

1. How would you describe and evaluate the environment in your workplace? 2. What works well to promote and encourage potential in your workplace? Look for the strengths, good behaviors, supportive cultural strategies, etc which may exist.

3. What is not working so well and therefore is an opportunity for improvement? Again, look for behaviors, strategies (or lack of strategy), challenges, choices, etc.

4. What could be done to overall improve the talent pool and over all effectiveness of your teams and leaders? For this question consider strategies that address the previously identified opportunities and also leverages the existing strengths. 5. As a result of these questions and your considered responses to them, what are you committing to?

4 steps to Resolution - Part 2

2008-09-25T12:24:00.000-07:00

Last time we left off on point two of this 2 part series and today we reveal the final two elements of taking positive action toward your resolution - even if you are a little fearful.

We now have identified the elephant in the room, named it and begun to build an action plan.

Today we pick up with step three, your communication strategy.

3) Build a communication strategy around the move. This stage of the action step is highly critical. We build a communication element into the resolution so that the leader can gain support or at least feel that they are not alone when making this action step. It is essential to giving the appearance of transparency that is so necessary in any leaders reign – when a leader appears transparent with their action items, even the tough ones, it builds and fosters trust at all levels. The way things are communicated is key to that. Now, we all know there are decisions that are made that cannot be communicated about up front, and I believe that you can still prepare people for those pending decisions in such a way that is supportive. The communication doesn’t start after the ball has dropped, it happens all along the way.

4) So the final step in supporting positive action in the midst of perceived fear is what others have also named. Face it. I would add, face it with integrity and zeal. Leaders become leaders because of the decisions they make. We can sit and choose to be a lame duck leader and I guarantee that action is not sustainable. Or we can be an action oriented, integrity agent. When a good leader works from that place of personal integrity and considers what is the action that is best for the whole body, they will find that zeal for taking action in spite of the perceived fears.

While leaders often feel they are in a box all alone when it comes to tough decisions, I have found that with the C-level clients that I work with as an executive coach, they are looking for a sounding board or neutral partner, they crave it. It is interesting because each of them have been so use to working alone, 'the buck stops here so I must not reach out.' and what they enjoy most about coaching is they have that partnership they have been desiring and not able to name. If I could give leaders one thing, it would be the benefit of knowing personally they are more powerful when they reach out vs. keeping everything close to the vest. That act of reaching out is what moves great leaders to their full potential as a human being.

I had a client who is president of a mid-sized company that has been hit with a crunch on revenue with the shift in the economy this year. The decision he didn’t want to have to make was the one he feared the most, layoffs. When (in the midst of breakdown) we identified the elephant, named it and built a strategy around handling it, while the meeting was tough to have with staff, he prepared them in advance for what was likely to come and ensure them that it would be fair and equitable for the ‘whole.’

After the fact, he found that the planning the meeting to tell everyone what was going on was much harder than the actual action step itself and…had he not had the meeting in advance (communication strategy) the affect on the entire workforce within his company would have been much worse. As would have the trust factor he held with his employees.

I recall him saying (breakthrough), “it was the worst meeting I have ever conduced in all my years here and our employees really stepped up and rallied around for the good of the company as a result. I was blown away. I realized they can handle more than I may have given them credit for, or protected them from.”

Here are some coaching questions for your consideration based on this article:

Coaching Exercises

How would you describe and evaluate your support structure for decision making?
What has your communication strategy been for communicating the hard stuff? What changes have you identified that you want to make for the future?
What value do you see that will be added by introducing a neutral partner to your inner circle? How might you use this strategy to strengthen your leadership?
When have you noticed yourself working in isolation vs. asking for support? How did that serve you?
How will you know if you are keeping it too close to the vest? What will you do different the next time?

4 steps to Resolution

2008-09-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

Recently I had a fruitful exchange with an International Management Consultant on the topic of what to do when leaders are immobilized by fear. The bottom line question was,
"what is a proven approach by a leader to support positive action (even if fear is present) toward resolution?"

Today I will share the first part of two for the answer and possible solution to the question.

As a coach of leaders, I have found the most interesting and compelling part of coaching executives is their disbelief that fear exists (for them.) They will call it a lot of other things, they will reference something that may 'infringe on their reputation,' 'compromise their integrity,' 'derail their momentum' but rarely do they identify those as fear. What is very present is the sense of being stuck - because to move might be to acknowledge that which they most want to avoid. So what supports action? I will start with the two of the four elements here today.

1) Get to the core belief/value around the 'what if' the worse thing happens. When leaders can identify the elephant in the corner of the room that is sitting on their solution, and it hurts, while they pursue getting to the truth for them, they will find comfort in the midst of that scary place.

I call it being in Breakdown on the way to Breakthrough. It's not uncommon to have fears of looking bad, failing, being exposed as 'fraud' and losing trust within our team. In fact, the leaders that do have those reality checks are (I have found to be) very strong leaders and are highly regarded in their field. They have a keen sense of self and humility that is a necessary element in a top-notch leader.

2) When the elephant in the room has been named – coaching enters into the mix toward building a plan to move. That plan is often multi-dimensional or as simplistic as a single action step – what is necessary is the documentation. With every plan for action there is necessary documentation, to support the plan or step and to use it as a learning/teaching point in the future. When leaders have that road map to follow or to tell them where they have been, it often removes the element of fear around ‘what if I make a mistake’ in the future because they have the data to support their move.

Our next posting will have the final two elements of taking positive action toward your resolution - even if you are a little fearful. For the time being, begin a plan to identify and name that elephant in the corner (mine often has pink polka dots.) It is the action of naming itself that you will begin to gain power and it's size begins to become less of a threat. Truth telling is key.

Here are some coaching questions for your consideration based on this article:

Coaching Exercises

How would you describe your current relationship to resolution (even if fear is present?)
What works well to promote and encourage resolution in your workplace? Look for the strengths, good behaviors, supportive cultural strategies, etc which may exist.
What is not working so well and therefore is an opportunity for improvement? Again, look for behaviors, strategies (or lack of strategy), challenges, choices, etc.
What action step can you identify now to remove any fear? Consider what you have identified above that works well. What resources will it take?
As a result of identifying and naming your obstacle, what are you committing to for the future?

Lack of Trust = loss of workforce

2008-08-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

As many of you know I have been enjoying my online networking efforts and the community that I am building. What you may not know is the reason behind the why. Bottom-line, the community is rich. It encourages me to see things through different lenses and causes me to express myself and my own personal power differently. That focus (or clarity) is a great motivator as a solopreneur.

Today an online friend posted something on his blog that really delighted my senses and I couldn't wait to share it with you. Mark Herbert of New Paradigms, LLC is a management consultant specializing in helping organizations effectively and successfully embrace change and engage their workforces. I have enjoyed getting to know Mark this summer and have been enriched by the new relationship. His recent post on his blog is rich and I believe it will bring a new perspective.

What he posted today for our reading pleasure was in truth, a challenge. It was a call to action for me personally and I hope for you also. The call is from the place where I want to dwell more often, the clarity of the light that shines through me to affect a change in the world around me. To perhaps even...change the course of the field around me for something so great that it may not even be evident to me during my lifetime here on earth. Imagine that possibility for a moment. The thought that what you do today with clarity of purpose, may impact the greater whole for generations to come. It is supported in the planting of seeds for a harvest in the future, a principle law of nature. What might that mean for you as a leader in your field?

The blog post Why Build Lighthouses by Mark Herbert is rich with the exploration of the Trust Factor in organizations. Something that I too have written about and explored with many of my executive clients. Mark notes a staggering statistic on the avoidance of building trust in the workplace as cause for rapid failure of new managers within an organization.What I find staggering is that in avoiding building trust we are not only dis empowering our workforce, we are shorting perhaps brilliant leaders their ability to lead and masterfully gain momentum in their career or for the organization. So why are we losing mangers due to lack of trust, when we might think it would be competency? What is happening at the mid-line level of management that is assaulting our workforce and leaders?

Many studies are showing the positive impact coaching is having at the mid-manager levels of organizations. We have seen the effects of mentoring programs and how they support short-term efficacy however, it is with coaching that long-term change takes root. Keep an eye out for more on Coaching in Organizations and check out Mark's blog post, I think it will be a call to action for many business leaders out there. In the meantime, have you hugged your managers lately? Ok, maybe not and maybe you don't need to, and...What are you doing to build trust within your organization?

Tammy Redmon
Executive Coach and Business Growth Strategist
Redmon & Associates - Empowering Today's Business Leaders

What action will give you the highest return?

2008-08-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

The one question that all business solopreneurs want to ask themselves on a daily basis - (What action will give me the highest return?) is key to staying focused on results.

Too often I see clients get caught up in a tailspin trying to stay ahead of their schedule or to ensure that they are being productive, only to find they are missing things along the way. This is very prominent with executives and solopreneurs. Why? Because 1) they are trying to handle too much of the load to work effectively and 2) they are often working in isolation and that keeps them bound to what they say their schedule is, objective for the day is and bottom-line is. Instead they would likely benefit from drawing on the strengths of others and having a reality check frequently to ensure they are on the right track.

When working with my clients as an Executive Coach we complete 6 questions upfront to get them clear on the direction they are wanting to go, and the potential obstacles in their path. As we further co-create the plan of action they will take to achieving (x) then we begin to design language and behavior modifications that support their goal. During that process, I introduce the question on highest return, and every time I am intrigued by the pause or complacent stare that I get in return. (One of my clients has this clearing of the voice thing he does and even while coaching across the country on a phone line, I can pick up right away when he is unsure of something or stuck.) When those moments happen, it is an opportunity to dig deeper into that stopping point. More often than not the stop is around the notion that they have to pick one action. It doesn't matter that the one action is key to the rest of their day. It doesn't mean they only work one action a day. It doesn't mean they are over simplifying their day either. What it does mean is that we are staying focused together on our agreements made around goals and objectives, and for them it is often focused on the bottom-line.

What I enjoy about the coach/client relationship when it comes to this and so many more powerful questions, I get to witness the breakdown on the way to breakthrough that can be life (and business) altering. When busy, successful, stressed out, overworked, highly valued (or whatever hat they wear for the day) people come to coaching to forward their action in the world, they don't come because something is wrong, they show up because they acknowledge needing support to get to where they envision they are going. What keeps them on track when not working with their coach is in the question. When one has clarity around what they are wanting to produce and how they will have the most success getting there, the action will inevitably follow.

So, as you ponder what your schedule looks like today, as coach I encourage you to ask yourself...What action will give you the highest return? Start your day there and everything else will fall into place.

How do you show up?

2008-08-07T15:11:00.000-07:00

Over the past week I have had several conversations around 'presence.' Whether it is executive presence, coaching presence, fear or bold presence, the question has been - is presence something that you show up with, can learn or have gifted to you? Well my experience tells me that, presence is something that we are all born with, life molds for us and choices further define.

I recently was invited to post my thought on executive presence to a blog on this very topic at New Paradigms LLC: Executive Presence- Fact or Fantasy?. I was honored by the request to share my insights that I have gained over the years working with executives and curious about the variety of answers. What I notice to be true about so many people, no matter their profession or title, presence is something that we show up with, it is something that while we may learn to enhance over time, we are born with a certain way of being. When we show up our presence impacts the field either positive or negative, neutral or assertive. It comes from within, it is not something that is staged.

Today while on a conference call with a group of fellow coaches, the topic of coach presence in a group or team environment came up as an opening inquiry. It was interesting to hear seasoned coaches discussing the idea of whether presence is be something that we just show up with as coach. The conversation went around how coach presence impacts the field within a group coaching session, it isn't forced, predetermine (the how part) we just naturally are it. With in that space there is possibility for us to have an impact, without working hard to do it. The same is true for you and me in any environment.

Think about this scenario, you show up in the grocery store line to pay for your dinner one night. You have two checkers to pick from, both lines are open. Checker #1 does not make eye contact, sends a short hello your way and gives off the impression that they would rather be anywhere else but with you at that moment. What is their presence? How is it impacting the field you are co-creating in line? How is it making you feel. Remember, they have only said hello. Checker #2 looks at you and also says Hello. They smile and display a quiet warmth about them, they acknowledge you with eye contact and invite you into their line inquiring how your day has gone. Now, did they show up in the field with a presence that had impact? Was it negative or positive? Would you rather go to checker #1 or #2? Each has a presence, each only started with hello.

The point that I am making, which you will also see when you check out that blog mentioned at New Paradigm, LLC., is that we do have a choice in how we use our presence - we will use it, there is no choice on that part. It is simply the question of, are we using it to leave the impression and affect the energy in the field in the way we want to or not? The choice my friend...is up to you.

So tell me, what do you think about personal presence? If the mirror were reflecting back at you, how do you see your self showing up?

Tammy Redmon
Executive Coach and Business Growth Strategist
Redmon & Associates - Empowering Today's Business Leaders

The World is Conspiring Against Me!

2008-07-31T07:56:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought that the world is conspiring against you? Well there have been times in life and business that I have. I mean, let's be truthful here. We have all been faced with what seem to be insurmountable obstacles in our path and as we strive for direction or clarity, we can get discouraged.

We even wonder what on earth did we do to deserve ______(fill in the blank) and how are we going to get beyond it? For business owners, this can be an ongoing dance between joy and emotional turmoil, wondering what is going to happen next. The trap in getting stuck in a place like this is that we often start making decisions out of fear vs. logic. We allow our emotions to be the driver instead of our vision and plan.

Several of the clients that I have coached come to me because they are feeling stuck on the merry-go-round of discouragement and fear-filled decision making. This is a recipe for catastrophe if not addressed at the root level. The root level is what got us to that place to begin with, so we must go there to change it. To uncover what 'it' is means taking time to reflect on what has happened and reconstruct next steps so that, we don't keep recreating the same old situation. We must always remember that if we are making a decision based out of fear, it is probably the wrong decision.

So, you may be asking yourself, 'great Tammy, I get the fear piece but I still don't get the why?' Well that is an interesting question, and one that people ask all the time. "Why is this happening to me." It is in those moments that you feel the world is conspiring against you - right? I say, the world is conspiring not against you, but conspiring to make you a Success! There are no accidents in life or business. We can learn from every meeting, encounter, employee or vendor that we come in contact with. It is the way we look at those Giants or Mountains in our path that make the difference.

3 Tips for facing those Giants and moving those Mountains

Reflect on where you've been
You want to pause and look backward to correct course moving forward. It also aids in noticing how those things which seemed to be obstacles weren't really in the way, they were there for my protection.
Hit is head on
That's right, no fancy footwork will get you out of it, you have to have the courage to stand in the face of it and know beyond all knowing that you were meant for such a time and go for it. Ask yourself, How is this going to make me a success?
Record - Track - Rehearse
This is key for future mountains (and they will show up for your success.) When we record what has been, to correct course and track our steps moving forward, it supports us staying on the path according to our plan, and lessens the fear based decision making. Now combine it with rehearsing what will be in the future - create a new picture and attach yourself to it and those giants seem much less intimidating and the mountain more like a hill.

We limit ourselves by allowing fear to rule our world rather than shifting the way we look at things to envision what we want and aligning our steps to follow. Vision is necessary, and showing up as we want to be seen is key.

So the next time you feel a conspiracy is mounting...take a proactive approach and shift your mindset to one that supports where you want to go. Remember, you can make change without improvement, but you can't make improvement without change.

Tammy Redmon
Executive Coach and Business Growth Strategist
Redmon & Associates - Empowering Today's Business Leaders

Stop Running!

2008-06-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Do you find yourself running your business so fast that you are tired and out of breath? That is a common 'drama factor' for business owners. There are no simple cures for the dis-ease that I call Working at the Speed of Whoosh. The only thing that I have found that works is similar to the same technique they teach us in elementary school, if our clothes catch on fire. Stop. Drop. Roll.

Ok, do I have your attention yet? When we are running our business, and are unable to catch our breath it is commonly because our business is running us! I have designed a few tactics for the weary business owner that reinforce the proven technique Stop. Drop and Roll.

Step number one: Stop (and breathe)
We need to stop and consider what we are doing to ourselves by running. How are we taking care of our staff and client/customers if we are too busy to notice them? When we are running at a fast pace we are likely giving off the appearance of being scattered, worn and unavoidably out of control. Is that the impression you want your staff and customers to see of you? I say no.

So, how do we stop? Well the action is in the four letter word. Sit, Think, Oversee, Perform. Sit down and relax, allow your brain to unwind and just be in the moment. So that you can think of what obstacles have gotten in your way to taking better care of self. It has been said that we are to work On our business, not In it. That means to oversee the systems that you have set in place, not running every detail. Then you can truly perform to your potential as business leader, manager, CEO.

Step number two: Drop (everything)
Be willing to drop everything. (Oh, did I hear a collective gasp from the readers?) Yes, drop it. Many have become accustomed to running their business, office, team, instead of allowing their system to run the business. Micromanaging at it's finest is often disguised as "I am too busy" for a life, to exercise, to _____(fill in the blank.) When I am working with my coaching clients that are in breakdown and need to drop everything, I take them through an envisioning process that helps them to see their end-result, what they really want. Then, we fill in the details of what is getting in the way to getting to that place they envision. Most often my business clients see they are in their own way, their micromanaging the details vs. allowing the system they built to work for them. So, they drop what they are doing and replace it with a new action plan that requires less of them and more of others.

Step number three: Roll (just go with it)
By the time we get to Roll, people are typically feeling a sense of relief. That is because they've caught their breath, discovered what has gotten in their way, made a plan to responsibly work toward their goal and now it is time to just go with it. Work the plan and allow the plan to work for you. As coach, I encourage clients to set in place a review process that is date specific, so that they are not still pushing to get to 'it' and they are allowing their plan to work itself. This is very important for the roll-with-it factor, we commit to looking at our plan in the future and to assessing how it's working at a set point vs. every day. When we do that, we are less likely to keep running in circles or toward burnout.

Bottom-line, the responsibility to stop is on us, the individual. No one is making you do anything, draw a boundary for yourself, envision what you want, create a plan to get there and go for it. Stop. Drop and Roll.

Tammy Redmon
NW Coach and Business Growth Strategist
Redmon & Associates - Empowering Today's Business Leaders

See what I have going on!

2008-06-20T07:37:00.000-07:00

This has been an interesting week. Actually, an interesting couple of weeks. I have been busy around the Sound with events and meetings, gathering ideas for my business and to share with others. But perhaps the most interesting piece is the new things that I have created. Like, a couple of new workshops, Building a Workshop 101 was launched with great reviews and I am putting the finishing touches on a new twist to creating vision boards (name is still in the works.) Most exciting, I have posted a few articles for print and should know how those go real soon! Dream come true, I am author!

The past few weeks I have been very busy building blogs, online networking profiles and my website. I invite you to check out the links on my blog to see what I have been talking about, writing about and building in the online community. I of course welcome feedback and comments, that is how we grow as human beings. Coming by first of week is another edition of DWELL In Possibility - doing well everyday living life, my E-newsletter for life, business and the pursuit of balance. Please go to my website and join in to receive your copy! I will be covering some fun topics:

SchoolHouse Rock - revisited
Doing Well Everyday Living Life
Highlight on Executive Coaching
Plus! Client Profile with special offer

Try something new this week that supports your business growth plan. It is a lot of fun, keeps the creativity juices flowing and may just introduce you to your next client.

An inquiry for today: What am I doing today that supports my business for tomorrow? (It's the sustainability quotient - consider it and write down your aha.)

Make it a great day!
Tammy Redmon
Coach and Business Growth Strategist
Redmon & Associates - Empowering Today's Business Leaders
email: tammy@redmonandassociates.com
www.redmonandassociates.com

welcome!

2008-06-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

The time has finally come that I have stepped into the Blogsphere! An exciting new addition to the family. Moreover, it is an exciting new element, a tool if you will, to spreading a positive message that imparts hope to the hearer, courage to the faint at heart and power to those needing a booster shot.

I believe that we are all given a beautiful gift - it's called life. However, I see everyday that we take extreme care to discredit that gift, to allow others to dictate our future as we try to define our purpose. Why, when we were created for so much more?

We each possess a very powerful gift within us for greatness. This new blog I hope lifts you up when you need a helping hand, encourages you when your'e feeling less than, and opens up your eyes to looking at things in new and different ways. Expect it to challenge the way you see your present situation. When we shift our image, what we get can often be the greatest gift of all - a new perspective!!

Enjoy, be encouraged and be more than what you imagined possible - go for greatness!
Make it a great day!

Tammy Redmon
Coach and Business Growth Strategist
Redmon & Associates - Empowering Today's Business Leaders
email: tammy@redmonandassociates.com
www.redmonandassociates.com