Resources and insights

As we’ve all experienced, goals at this time of year is a tradition marked more by their failure than their success. Why is it that these well-intentioned goals often fall by the wayside? The key issue lies in our ambition to change too much too quickly, without a solid plan or adequate support. This is where the transformative power of coaching can truly shine.

As we close one year and begin another, I’m so excited to share with you some personal reflections and new developments in my journey as an executive coach.

I was recently asked for an interview for the South Carolina chapter of the International Coaching Federation, and here’s what I wrote!

Today more highly successful leaders than ever are working with a coach on a regular basis, and the trend is predicted to increase over the next five years, according to a recent study by the International Coach Federation.

Much study in the last 25 years in the fields of neuroscience, positive psychology, cognitive psychology and performance science leads to similar conclusions — how you think and what you believe about yourself, plays a significant role in determining your outcomes and overall success in life.

If you’ve been a leader for any amount of time, you’ve likely faced the dilemma of wanting to be more positive than you actually felt inside. You’re not alone. Being upbeat and calm in the face of difficult situations is a challenge for all of us. It’s especially important for the impact you have on others.

In a recent leadership summit, Dr. John Townsend, best-selling author and psychologist, defined personal power as the capacity to change the environment. Organizations require constant movement and it takes leadership energy, focus, and intentionality to take a company from where it is to where they want it to be.

We all have a unique relationship with goal setting. January is the time of year for goal setting junkies to rally. Then there are the rest of you — the 83% of the U.S. population who do not set goals.

Are you feeling a little down right now? All the big festivities are over. For some of you there is some sadness as family members have gone back home to cities far away.

Highlighting the importance of taking time for reflection and celebration of achievements at the year's end to gain a balanced perspective on personal and professional growth. Encouraging leaders to move beyond a "gap" mindset focused on unmet goals to a "gain" mindset that appreciates accomplishments and lessons learned, supported by a personal practice of stillness and the resource "Life As Art" for guided reflection and planning.

Exploring the benefits of effectively receiving feedback, highlighting the challenges posed by truth, relationship, and identity triggers, and offering strategies for overcoming these obstacles to improve personal and professional growth, relationships, and performance. The narrative encourages embracing a growth mindset and seeking out feedback to uncover blind spots and foster development.

Introducing "The Power of TED*" by David Emerald as a guide to escaping the Drama Triangle of Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor roles by adopting the empowering roles of Creator, Challenger, and Coach. The book provides a framework for taking responsibility for one's own actions and fostering positive, proactive change both internally and in interactions with others, aiming to replace dysfunction with empowerment and growth.

Sharing a personal story of moving to a new home and the unexpected challenges encountered, emphasizing the importance of listening to candid feedback from friends and the invaluable support they offer during stressful transitions. The narrative also touches on the significance of having people who can provide honest feedback for leaders to avoid "CEO disease" and make informed decisions.

Sharing a personal story of moving to a new home and the unexpected challenges encountered, emphasizing the importance of listening to candid feedback from friends and the invaluable support they offer during stressful transitions. The narrative also touches on the significance of having people who can provide honest feedback for leaders to avoid "CEO disease" and make informed decisions.

Sharing a personal journey of reevaluating life goals and making a significant life change by moving to a new city, inspired by attending a transformative workshop and reigniting a long-held dream. The narrative highlights the importance of revisiting dreams and visions, especially at milestone moments, and taking actionable steps towards achieving them, while maintaining a commitment to professional endeavors and embracing new opportunities.

Drawing inspiration from a persistent vine, this narrative explores the themes of growth, resilience, and the importance of a growth mindset. It emphasizes the value of self-awareness, the willingness to embrace challenges, and the necessity of support from others to overcome limitations and achieve personal and professional development.

Explaining the evolution and value of executive coaching in corporate America, detailing how coaching serves as a personalized learning method to enhance leadership effectiveness, and illustrating how to quantify coaching benefits by linking leadership development goals with key business metrics for tangible organizational impact.

Reflecting on the power of focusing on what we can control and the value of community, goal-setting, and self-reflection in achieving personal growth and fulfillment, while introducing "Life As Art" as a tool to help structure this process for a more meaningful and proactive life.

Sharing a personal narrative about navigating the emotional highs and lows of the holiday season during a challenging year, highlighting the importance of acknowledging grief, embracing vulnerability, and finding joy in adjusted traditions, while emphasizing the value of supportive relationships and self-compassion in coping with adversity.

Discussing the benefits of journaling for leaders, such as enhanced self-awareness, increased creativity, and deeper connections, to combat emotional detachment and improve decision-making, employee engagement, and company culture.

Highlighting the significance of establishing personal and professional rituals to maintain balance, prevent burnout, and enhance productivity, emphasizing the value of renewal and focused time for development and connection in both work and personal life.

Emphasizing the importance of recognizing a team's strengths, focusing on key behavioral changes, and crafting a compelling vision for the future to achieve long-lasting improvements in team dynamics and productivity.

Reflecting on the current societal turmoil and the potential for it to serve as a pivotal moment for racial justice, the author shares personal experiences and conversations with colleagues, emphasizing the importance of self-examination, education, and actionable steps towards eradicating racism, and highlighting various leaders and resources that are contributing to the movement.

Encouraging the practice of confronting reality and using it constructively to pursue one's dreams, emphasizing the importance of setting goals and integrating them into daily and weekly routines to enhance productivity and achieve long-term visions.