COACHING SKILLS Written by Steven J. Stowell, PhD
Introduction The question for leaders in organizations today is how do we go about unleashing motivation, facilitating idea creation, promoting information flow and go beyond being Number One? How do we distance ourselves from our competitors? We cannot relax and take our success for granted. Our competitors are fierce and anxious to take back market share, produce next blockbuster product, or invent some new technology to better serve customers. One of our greatest competitive advantages is our people and culture. If we can continue to teach, inspire, and select best, we can continue to be a premier organization in world. We will continue to be first in bringing value added and quality enhancing products to people around world. We will also continue to be employer of choice. In order to achieve this goal, managers can subscribe to many leadership theories and concepts. Some of these theories provide only a general awareness of successful leadership techniques. Some are too complex and academic to be useful in real world. Today’s manager needs tools that are specific, detailed, and practical that will enable managers to: help team members achieve their highest potential motivate team members to contribute their best effort maintain core values and standards of conduct manage performance and results promote innovation and help others think “outside box” create a culture of continuous improvement build productive and valued relationships with customers tap into each employee’s reservoir of experience, talent, and creativity achieve maximum teamwork, inclusion, and communication across functions Leaders today want practical and uncomplicated solutions that they can apply immediately. The Coaching program was designed by Dr. Steven J. Stowell and his team at Center For Management and Organization Effectiveness (CMOE) for this purpose. Research over past two decades revealed a lack of effective coaching skills by many leaders. As a result of field research and hands on interaction with 325 organizations in 13 different countries, Dr. Stowell has defined a set of coaching skills used by effective leaders. This road map is not a checklist or a “quick fix.” Although steps are easy to learn, effective coaching skills are only developed when managers decide to apply them and tackle real issues that drive business forward. A Road Map Coaching Skills training provides leaders with powerful, proven, and practical skills that help you define direction, shows you sharp turns mileposts in a coaching discussion. But just like driving, weather and road conditions change each time you set out on a coaching journey. Good judgment, common sense, along with an understanding of person is needed to be successful. This will allow managers to gain maximum effectiveness from each interaction. What is Coaching? Coaching is a skill that leaders practice as they manage performance, mentor, problem solve, teach, and guide others. Coaching requires: effective two-way communication and dialogue
| | Ode to A SpoonWritten by Deirdre Maigread McEachern
"Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have." --Rabbi Hyman Judah Schachtel (1907-1990)I have to admit it, I love spoons. I love their round shape. I love their cheerful shine. I love how perfectly they fit into your mouth when you eat something smooth like ice cream or pudding or even when you eat something tummy warming like hot soup. I love spoons because they are functional as well as beautiful. Eating breakfast cereal just wouldn't be same experience without them. I enjoy using them very much and always opt for a small, round, silvery spoon anytime it makes sense. One day, my husband came upon me silently admiring a beautiful sugar spoon from our new 'fancy' silverware collection. I was thrilled with how bottom of it was artfully shaped like a sea shell. He thought I was nuts. I realized I feel this way about lots of object in my world. I admire platters, vases, paintings, rugs, blankets, curtains, you name it. Am I materialistic? I suppose on a certain level I am. Here's my philosophy on stuff: I take great pleasure in appreciating personal possessions that grace my life. I have profound gratitude for convenient services my belongings regularly provide me. I even thank them occasionally (when no one is around). I really do appreciate all they do for me and recognize that I could just as easily not have privilege of their presence in my life. Along those lines, I make efforts to use them. I no longer horde my favorite things in a closet only taking them out once or twice a year, living in fear of their potential demise. These are beautiful objects! Who am I to hide their splendor from view? They deserve every opportunity to be appreciated.
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