Is your focus on your top priorities?
At the beginning of a New Year, we are presented with another opportunity to get things “right”. It is entirely up to you what you define as your personal criteria for success. Neuroscientists have proven that multi-tasking is an illusion; and time to achieve what you desire is limited (365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes per year). Now, what is it that you want to do with the rest of your precious life? And what key goals and achievements would contribute to your overall vision this year? Here is a three-step process that supports you to discover your important goals and priorities: 1 - Create To get your thoughts started, please take a look at the different areas of your life. What area or role requires your special attention and some change effort? Career & Business Financial Freedom Health & Well-Being Fun & Joy Relationships (social & intimate) Family [...]
International Coach Federation (ICF): 2012 Coaching Day of the Rhine-Main Chapter
Last week, around 80 fellow coaches attended the regional ICF conference. Key topic was utilizing diagnostic and psychometric tools in the coaching process; their range of use, limitations and opportunities. In general, diagnostic tools provide you with an idea of your preferences in terms of energy, behavior, communication, leadership, etc. They enhance reflection and introspection, or measure cognitive skills, provide feedback or an overview of your personality traits. The Myers Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) or DiSC® are some of the most renowned self-assessments. Experts and speakers on tools like Insights, the Enneagram, MPPI-18 or Talent-Q shared their knowledge and involved the participants in lively discussions. Key take-aways and trends: Assessment tools need to be complex and flexible to cater to the different user groups and needs. Ideally, they combine different schools of thought and allow for multiple reports. For a risk assessment on the C-Suite level, testing derailment factors and [...]
Have a very merry holiday season!
Dear all, In 1897, eight-year old Virginia, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Philip F. O’Hanlon wrote a letter to The Sun inquiring if there was a Santa Claus. Francis P. Church, an associate writer, never thought that his answer to Virginia would become the most widely read editorial article ever written; it has been reproduced in every part of the world to date. Mr. Church’s reply is a classic and graceful expression of Christmas sentiment that I would like to share with you. I am sure that you will discover the splendid lesson it aims to teach and find some truth in it. Cherish those simple beliefs and comforting faiths symbolized by Santa Claus. Have a very happy, warm and bright holiday season! With gratitude and kind regards, Annette. Is there a Santa Claus? Editorial by Francis P. Church – originally printed in THE SUN, New York, September 21, [...]
Managing Resistance: Change is just a kiss away
No doubt you’ve experienced at least one of the following situations during your career: The announcement of a new Board member or a change in organizational structure A new IT system or software upgrade A company merger or the decision to outsource operations to a low-cost region An office move or a new player on the team…
Is there a magic formula for leading high-performing teams?
What makes teams that are continuously and consistently high-performing unique? Is there a secret ingredient that makes them click? How can executives support and accelerate this process? In order to be successful, every team needs a common goal that is known, understood and accepted by all members, each feeling individually responsible for its accomplishment. In their book ‘The Wisdom of Teams’, Jon Katzenbach and Douglas Smith state ‘high performance teams typically reflect strong extensions of the basic characteristics of teams’. These ‘strong extensions’ grow out of an intense commitment to the team’s mutual purpose. The following characteristics exhibited by high performance teams differentiate them from ordinary teams: A deeper sense of purpose and reason for being High output and high-quality targets compared to average teams Efficient working methods, excellent problem-solving skills and respectful collaboration Acknowledgement of their joint accountability towards the common purpose, in addition to individual obligations to the specific [...]
Energy Leadership™ – Energize, Manage & Lead, Inspire, Develop
The Executive Challenge: Channeling Energy for Inspirational Leadership In these times of fast-moving change and troubled economies, company executives are increasingly challenged to find new and effective ways of energizing and engaging their employees. Inspirational leadership continues to be one of the most valuable skills required by today’s corporate leaders. Leading is a conscious act of energetic purpose which can be described as the directing, focusing, or shaping of energy towards a desired objective. Skilful leaders sense which type of energy is present in their organization and know how to use it to facilitate change, enable growth, and empower their teams to achieve the company’s objectives. They also utilize this knowledge to find the best opportunities to educate people, develop their commitment and promote their abilities further. Defining Energy: Catabolic and Anabolic Albert Einstein’s theorem E = mc2 has forever defined our understanding of the way the world [...]