Think about a time when you were challenged by someone to do more or to get better. I would imagine your experience was a lot like mine. Very uncomfortable, yet the experience created awareness that your current level of focus, energy, or behavior was lacking and someone (a teacher, coach, supervisor, parent, spouse, or friend) saw that … Read more
Giving feedback may be one of the most uncomfortable responsibilities of a leader. I have talked to leaders who have admitted to giving as little feedback as possible due to the anxiety this kind of interaction produces. On the flip-side, there are some leaders who do not hesitate to give feedback and often do it … Read more
As a coaching leader, the skill of questioning will be one of your most powerful tools. When you listen deeply you are naturally led to ask questions that help people clarify their goals and discover their direction. Of the 5 key coaching skills, questioning may be the most difficult to master. I’ve met very few … Read more
The skill of listening is the foundation of being an effective coach. If you don’t listen, you don’t have anything to work with as a coach. Listening is truly the beginning point. I have conducted dozens of coach training workshops and the feedback I get from participants is that they thought they knew all there … Read more
Many leaders think they are coaching when they are really just having a nice chat. True coaching occurs when the leader challenges a person to identify and take action to reach a specific goal. Great leaders look for the coachable moments — those moments when learning can occur and motivation can be instilled. It’s where … Read more
Coaching is no longer a word reserved for sports. The service and skill of coaching has flourished over the past decade as a proven process for helping a person gain self-awareness, overcome challenges, and accelerate achievement of goals. Since completing my certification to be an executive coach, I have coached more than 100 leaders across a dozen … Read more
As a manager and leader of people, one of your most important roles is that of a motivator. Having smart, skilled, and engaged employees isn’t enough to build a high performing team. You must create an environment that supports and accelerates the energy and drive of each employee toward mutual team goals. In my new book, I share … Read more
A person’s quality of motivation is greatly influenced by his/her current emotional state. This doesn’t discount the cognitive processing that is required for goal-directed action. In fact, this cognitive processing is what often produces a perception that creates a highly emotional response that either hinders or supports action. I have observed 7 emotional responses that produce amotivation — the term … Read more
A set of “Team Standards” can help a team become more committed, motivated, and collaborative. Team standards are not as much rules as they are standard operating procedures for work and interaction. Managers can help support a team’s success by facilitating a group discussion that identifies these standards. One way to lead the discussion is … Read more
Having a career development conversation with an employee is not always easy and certainly takes a time investment we don’t always want to make. Having this discussion, however, can be one of the most powerful motivational techniques you can use to increase performance and long-term engagement. Very few people want to stagnate. Although some may … Read more