Blog
Emotional Intelligence and the Power of a Positive Outlook
After completing a 360 degree assessment, Nikki reviewed the results with her new executive coach. The vast majority of the assessment was positive. As you might expect, there were a handful of unfavorable comments and a few areas where skill building, leadership...
The Danger of Praise, The Power of Encouragement
By Dan Brown, PCC. With good intentions, but without knowing it, you could be subtly undermining the confidence of those you manage, even your top performers. How? By praising them. Yes, really. That praise can do as much damage as criticism at first may come as a...
Coaching Results: A True Story!
By Lilian Abrams, Ph.D., MBA, PCC. I’d like to tell you a true story about “Suzanne’s” results from coaching (my client’s name and select details have been changed to protect confidentiality). She is the highest-level female leader in a traditionally male industry —...
Improving Leadership Skills: Making Changes that Last
Lucas is a career-minded professional who sees opportunity on the horizon — a chance to become a member of his company’s senior team in the next couple of years. Smartly, he wants to improve his leadership skills and prepare for his next role. A sore point for him has...
Beyond Your Comfort Zone: Grow in the Learning Zone
By Janet Makepeace, PCC. As a leader, running toward comfort in your career can be a roadblock to your success. Experience and knowledge that you bring with you on your leadership journey shapes your ability as you take on broader leadership roles. Becoming...
How to Get the Big Things Done!
Most of our day is spent working on the day-to-day. That is, most of us are pretty good at organizing a to-do list and prioritizing what needs to get done today. We work hard. We’re efficient. Trouble is, as urgent as many short-term “must dos” are, they rarely...
Coaching or Therapy? Which Shoe Best Fits?
By Nora Infante, Psy.D. Over the course of my career as psychologist and executive coach, I have on many occasions had to be cautious and thoughtful about where the line between coaching and therapy exists. It’s a conversation I have had with HR directors, coaching...
What Does it Mean to be a Better Leader?
As you reflect on the start of a new year and the beginning of a new decade, perhaps you have some big picture changes or improvements in mind. In terms of professional development and career growth, “building leadership skills” often rises to the top of the list....
Loosening the Grip of Emotions
By Michael Nagle, PCC. All of us experience anxiety, fear, anger and sadness in our personal and professional lives, especially during times of change, it’s unavoidable. But many leaders refuse to admit emotions exist, either their own or other people’s emotions. As a...
4 Tips for Project Planning That Works for Your Biggest Goals
The leadership team was excited. They had just concluded a thoughtful and productive annual offsite meeting. Strategies were agreed upon and annual goals were hammered out — big, significant goals that would help the organization move forward in important ways. As...
Be a More Effective Coach with Your Direct Reports
By Steve Hansen, PCC. Over the years every executive coach hones his/her skills and begins to develop a ‘toolbox’ of practices and techniques that help their clients become more effective in the workplace. These ‘tools’ are used strategically as we actively listen to...
Hard Work is Crucial (But Not Enough to Earn Your Next Promotion)
“Simply doing the work does not make you promotable,” said Maren Perry, president of Arden Coaching. Hard work and diligent effort is necessary to be considered for a promotion, but the work alone will not get you the promotion you may richly deserve. Perry explains...
What People Really Need From Leaders: Building a Culture of Trust, Respect, and Engagement
By Kevin Ciccotti, CPCC, PCC. As leaders, it’s our job to create an environment where our people can flourish, produce their best work, and gain a sense of pride and fulfillment from their work. And let’s face it, doing that is not always easy. Many times in our...
Values, Goals, and Digital Minimalism
Laura Hansen, PCC. In his book, Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport offers a philosophy for technology use. Technology is neither good nor bad. The key is using it to support your goals and values, rather than letting it use you. Digital minimalists are all around...
Journaling: You’re Bound to See Things Differently
By Dan Brown, PCC. Throughout each day, you star in your own dramatic works of art. Morning rush hour. Meeting with the boss. Negotiating a deal. Dinner with the family… A farce here, a triumphant drama there, comedies and tragedies round the clock. Set design and...