Executive Coach and Executive Coaching Articles

How well do you build reserves? And we’re not just talking about money, although the concept is the same. Do you have reserves of time, resources and energy? Are you running your life, or is your life running you?

In the Business section of the New York Times (August 8, 2010 ), the author, Stephanie Rosenbloom, wrote about people who had successfully downsized their lives, sometimes to a level many of us would deem extreme, particularly when it came to possessions. Whether by choice or circumstances, such as lay off or divorce, they own less, work less, and seem to be living happier lives.

No matter what type of workplace you choose to operate in, you undoubtedly have to manage people. They might be direct reports, clients or customers, interns, freelancers, vendors, colleagues, and of course the often most challenging of all, your boss or business partner. Here are a few tips on how to manage behavior and time while reducing everyone’s stress and avoiding conflict: Article:

What motivates you? What gets you fired up and your juices flowing? What vision of the future excites you? Being inspired temporarily is easy for many people. However, it is keeping that motivation level up and making changes in life that is more difficult. What is it that changes between getting up in the morning excited to face the day to becoming so tired you can’t wait to go to bed? Somewhere in between the point you started off with your goals and the quitting point, you lost the very thing that was driving your energy level and motivation.

The recession has had a serious psychological impact on many businesses, due to the stress associated with layoffs. We know from various research studies that negative emotions such as fear, anxiety and sadness, which often accompany workplace stress, have a detrimental effect on workers' emotional and mental state, and performance. Executives' and managers' judgments and decisions, particularly regarding relationship issues, can become skewed or unstable under stressful conditions, particularly if the company's focus is a "numbers" emphasis on sales targets. History has shown that b

Can Charlie Sheen or Lindsay Lohan Be Helped - If They Won’t Help Themselvesr In a February interview Sheen claimed he was healthy and ready to go back to work. The claim of every drunk and addict is that he / she is not a drunk or an addict. Secondly, the addict claims a few days in rehab is a lifetime cure . It appears Sheen and Lohan have more lives than a cat and about as much working brain matter.r

Let's begin todays discussion of how to propagate project success with a quick review of the Four Phases of "Project Management . . . by the Numbers" Project Management Lifecycle; which are: Phase One - Concept and Feasibilityr Phase Two - Organization and Scheduler Phase Three - Execution Phase Four - Review/Audit

“To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” ~ Buddha You are working on a project with a strict deadline, but you just can’t seem to focus. Maybe thoughts about your next big idea, the weekend ahead, or even longstanding family issues start creeping in. Then you begin to worry: how will you finish this project on time?

Sales Coaching for Entrepreneurs Coaching sales staff members on consultative selling methods. To establish a strong administrative system based on a “coaching culture” can help build a more successful practice. Coaching staff members on consultative selling methods, then establishing a strong administrative system based on a “coaching culture” can help build a more successful practice. Coaching—from sports to business management—is recognized as one of a managerâ

The progress of our soul is like a perfect poem. It has an infinite idea which once realized makes all movements full of meaning and joy. But if we detach its movements from that ultimate idea, if we do not see the infinite rest and only see the infinite motion, then existence appears to us a monstrous evil., impetuously rushing towards an unending aimlessness. ~ Rabindranath Tagore

What if you could not only retrain your brain, but change your physical neurology as well? How about replacing the blueprint for health that has produced an overweight, overtired, overstressed you, for a slim, strong, vibrant you? We are all actually masters, we have simply forgotten how to ...

These days, it seems like we are being pulled in so many different directions. Priorities compete with each other, and it just seems like we can’t get everything done, doesn’t it? What’s worse, it seems like our daily “to do” lists grow much faster than our abilities to check them off. No wonder the world is showing more stress. Sometimes it is helpful to step back, and evaluate all those things we’re doing, to make sure that the important “stuff” is being addressed. OK, so what’s the important “stuff?”r

The story tells of an interaction between a parent and his high school-age child. The adolescent presents with a report card of four As and one D-. Because of our prejudices and experiences, we the reader are inclined to think the parent is going to either lecture or at least focus on the low grade. We’re fooled. The father applies another strategy with an approach that I think is applicable to leading and managing others, and useful in our own self-management.

How do you like me now? People pleasing is one of the greatest epidemics known to mankind. It seems that we will do whatever it takes to please others and make them like us. Another motive for people pleasing is to avoid conflict, confrontation or our own truth and get something in return. We ...

Business meetings, tight schedules, business development activities, conferences, product launches and a heap of other responsibilities leave the CEO and associated management team exhausted, stressed and wanting for some relief out of physical and mental stress. Here we discuss some ways and techniques that can help the CEO to relieve stress and tension: Beautify the Surroundings

One of things I love about being a coach is the variety of people and situations that come to my office or call on the phone. In no particular order here are some of the presenting challenges brought to coaching sessions. You will note—I fired no one.

We would appear to be in a time of economic crises, there would seem to be a lot of evidence for that belief. Our legislature seems to be in turmoil, confusion and ineffective and inefficient processes. So what in the world can we do? How can we influence the ‘powers-that-be’? How can we ...

Click here for the MP3 audio version of this article. Behind every good success there is a story. You may know some of the “BIG” ones, such as, Richard Branson’s approach to success is based on his personal experience with something he thinks can be improved – usually a service or product that didn’t do the job for him. From there he thinks creatively about how to build a better airplane, train, or entertainment company.

Do you have days when you feel like you’re getting nowhere or sense a project will never end? Worked on initiatives where you were only part of the solution and would never see the finished product? Wonder what happened to that suggestion that received such a positive reception and now seems to have disappeared? Join the crowd. So many of us are not privy to or given access to much of the work and decisions that are made in our workplace. What we also lack is any kind of regular feedback that would motivate, inform, and engage us to carry on.

By far, the questio I am most often asked during "Project Management . . . by the Numbers" has always been, "How can I get my project team to actually accomplish their tasks on time, if even at all?" After a short discussion, the question translates to, "I don't have the authority to delegate, but I am responsible for their work, both the quality and the timeliness." Most of the time our project team is assigned to us from top management without our say in the matter.

He thanked his Lucky Stars there'd never be another year like the last. The worst was over, he reckoned, and there'd be more settled times ahead, after too much disruption and stress in the organisation for far too long and too much change far too rapidly. It was as much a prayer as it was an expression of relief. I asked, "Are you sure of that . . ? No extreme pressure, crises, or severe strain in the year ahead . . ?" and the penny soon dropped. He acknowledged that ever s

Abraham Lincoln once said that "People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.” This statement is extremely powerful, as it makes each of us responsible for creating our own happiness. We can not obtain happiness from other people or from material objects; it has to start within us. The following provides some steps as to how you can create happiness in your life. 1. First, acknowledge that happiness is a choice, that you do have options as to how you live your life, and that you can be happy if you choose to. Don’t think about yesterday or the past.

I am fortunate to work as an executive coach with people at many levels, in different stages of their careers, and in a variety of industries. Even though there is significant variety and diversity in my client base, I am often struck how similar their thought processes and experiences are. This is particularly true when it comes to discontent. You’d think everyone would be complaining about wages, or lack of vacation time, the long hours, or the tight spaces in which they work — no.

Over past decades the issue of diversity has taken a very visible place in the growth and structuring of the workplace population. Whether it was caused by mandates or natural shifts in population, the job sites look quite different. The challenge, as I see it, is not only to continue to push for more diversity in the two major categories — gender and race/ethnicity — but also in less obvious areas such as education, energy, and temperament. It is these less noticeable areas where, I believe, the most opportunity and riches exists.

Do you ever feel you have so much potential that you can't sit still? All high performers feel this potential boiling up within them. It’s what they look for in turn when making key hires. But even with the most promising new employee, something can happen and, next thing you know, they’re stuck playing catch up with their inbox or putting out fires. Enthusiasm turns into frustration and if this continues over the long-term, even the best burn out or give up.

Would you like to accomplish great things in your life? If so, what would you like to accomplish? Do you have dreams that you would like to achieve that fulfill Your Purpose? For you to fulfill Your Purpose and make your dreams a reality there are some simple steps for you to follow. 1. You must Dream Your Big Dream! You must dream the biggest dream that you have ever dreamed. You must make this dream vivid and clear and one that you can touch. You must see yourself in possession of this dream and actually doing this dream. You must become emotionally involved with your dream.r

I had a boss, I’ll call him, Ted. Ted was very political and used his high emotional intelligence to play all sides of every issue just to make sure he was always covered. I heard him lie by fact and omission. So clever was the man that when opinions were asked, he was able to shift positions 180 degrees before the final vote, especially if he saw the tide going against him. He bragged about accomplishments that were fantasy and made commitments he never intended to keep, while espousing values he violated on a regular basis.

When working with managers and executives in a coaching relationship, I’m often struck as to how naïve some are to the realities of the day-to-day operating on the job and the politics of the workplace.

It is always exciting but sometimes a little daunting to start work with a new client. After all, you have yet have yet to build up rapport and trust. There can also be a nagging conce about whether you will fit and work well together. Even the most experienced coach can feel this way but ...

Many Facebook users spend considerable time and energy collecting hundreds of virtual friends, and posting updates with the intention of increasing positive relationships, raising their self-esteem or living a happier life. At the same time, several studies have shown there can be negative impacts on users including increased stress and anxiety, and narcissism. With approximately 1 billion users worldwide, there’s no doubt that Facebook is the most powerful social medium of social connection.r

Do you have real work life balance in your life? Do you wake up each day filled with energy and excited to face a new day? Do you feel you have enough time and physical energy to give to your career, your spouse, your children, your friends, and yourself?

Malcolm Gladwell made a name for himself by writing three bestselling books “Blink,” “The Tipping Point,” and now “Outliers.” His latest is currently number 5 on the bestseller list. The word outlier refers to “a statistical observation that is markedly different in value from others of the sample.” Gladwell’s focus is on extraordinarily successful people (Bill Gates, the Beatles, NHL players to name a few), and what it is about them, their environment, and the luck that made them what they are today.

You may have many pockets of unsettling feelings inside of you. I’ll make a list of some of them and you can indicate if this particular one is something that makes you uncomfortable and unable to change. Only honesty here will help you. You cannot hide yourself from you.

So many times, people don’t realize how easily they can sabotage their careers, unknowingly, they will do or not do things that hold them back. Here are five cautionary behaviors:

“To be successful, all you have to do is give up everything you know.” Asara Lovejoy The foregoing quote might sound like the very last thing you want to hear about your life and making it everything you want it to be. But remember the popular quote from Einstein, “The definition of insanity ...

Did you ever learn to play chess? Not the most popular game for this century when we move at the speed of light. However, it is a vital game for anyone who runs a business. Whether you formally know where to position a knight or a pawn on a board, you do this with employees and customers all the time.

We banter the word feelings around blithely. Have you ever sat down and looked more deeply into just what feelings means? We have learned as children to answer “How are you feeling today?” We use the word in our workaday life: “I’m feeling overwhelmed with all this work.” We use it around our home “I don’t feel like cooking dinner tonight, honey. Let’s go out to eat?” That word is commonly used, and yet, it bears a closer look so that we can Be the Change we want in our lives.

Have you ever been in a meeting where there is an agenda but it's not followed? Or, where you discuss the same issue repeatedly, with no resolution? If you answered yes, you are in the majority. Throughout my career, I have sat through hundreds of meetings that were unproductive and a waste of time. However, with proper planning and execution, you can host a well-run meeting. The following article provides some tips to develop and run effective meetings: 1. Decide why you want to have a meeting. What is the purpose of the meeting? What are you trying to accomplish, address, or resolve?

As the CEO, do you at times find yourself spending a critical portion of your productive hours in resolving conflicts among your team members? In other words, the time which could have been invested in more result-oriented jobs is spent on the rather unproductive and at times even frustrating job of resolving conflict.

What’s the difference betwee Wanting and Having? Let’s make an important distinction. You see, there is a big difference between “Wanting” and “Having” something. Wanting: means lacking or absent. Deficient in some part, thing or aspect. Having: means to possess, to hold, to get, to receive, to experience. You can have one OR the other, but not both at the same time with any particular object of your desire. You either have it or you don’t. So what does this have to do with creating your success?

Imagine facing a room full of skittish investors and analysts to present your company’s management plan for the next quarter. Talk about high stakes! That was exactly the scenario recently faced by a client’s company. While they brought me in to rehearse with them the day before, in this type of meeting — one that’s likely to be packed with detailed data and statistics — it’s also likely that audience members will be focused on note taking or reviewing handouts rather than keeping their eyes on the presenters.

“A person who could muster the courage to remove from his daily life the products that he basically doesn’t need would automatically delete the negative thoughts and the toxic people in his life.” ~ Anuj Somany What makes a person toxic, poisonous, or harmful to you in your life? I think the answer to that question can take up the whole article, but let’s just list a few things. • Moodiness • Negativity • Chronic illness • Lack of a loving sense • Manipulation • Selfishness

Question: What had you go into business for yourself? Was it the money? The hours? The flexibility? The freedom of carving your own path? What had you make the leap into being an entrepreneur? As an executive coach, I most often hear from folks just like you, who want to bust out of the corporate grind, be their own boss and do meaningful work that speaks to their passions and expertise. Stepping out of your comfort zone and starting your own gig takes courage, tenacity and loads of perseverance!

As small business owners and Entrepreneurs you know the constant challenge that comes with having to wear all the hats. It’s no wonder how easy it is to get overwhelmed and overloaded.

Just watched the October 19th special event, filmed live at the Apple campus in Cupertino, Califo ia where Apple celebrated Steve’s life. What a legacy that man leaves behind, just awesome. From a business and executive coach’s perspective (yep, that’s me) a few thoughts: Only great leaders create great companies. Great leaders will challenge and inspire their people in their quest for excellence. People will only experience a feeling of pride when they worked hard for their success. If success comes easily, ove ight, without too much effort, pride will not enter the equation.

A behavior common among very successful people is setting high standards for themselves as well as others. Whether the actions are going to be seen by friends or colleagues, or done strictly in private, doesn’t seem to matter, high achievers place the bar at the top rung for almost anything and everything.

You’ve probably seen the “corporate values” posted on the wall somewhere of the headquarters of an organization, or on their website perhaps. You might actually read them and think to yourself, those are nice. It might even give you a bit of a warm-n-fuzzy feel about the work that company is doing in the world. That’s great for the customers. But what does that actually mean to the employees? How do those values actually translate into what they are doing on any given day, and why should they care??

The April 2013 issue of Inc. features Tim Ferriss, the author who brought us “The 4-Hour Workweek” and other productivity books, blogs, and seminars. Ferriss’ 80/20 rule says that “eighty percent of one’s productivity comes from 20% of one’s efforts and likewise 80% of your wasted time comes from 20% of the possible causes.” I started to look at the twenty-percent possible causes. 1. Support system has not grown or flexed. When I speak of support system, I am referring to many factions.

I had a coach who told me I was much better tha I thought I was, and would make me do more in a positive sense. He was the first person who taught me not to be afraid of failure. ~ Mike Krzyzewski Have you ever experienced any event in your life where someone was behind you, supporting and encouraging you, and pointing out the pitfalls that would keep you from getting where you said you wanted to go? Have you always had to rely only on your own best judgment along with the mistakes you’ve made? Would you enjoy a different way to success? Does Using a Coach Mean I’m Not Capable?

A New Take on the Couch Potato Making a Living in Your Living Room “To be successful, all you have to do is give up everything you know”. Asara We have a little saying, ‘living in your living room’, which has to do with doing what you want to do and if you choose, do ...