To Profit from Good Advice

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Barry

“To profit from good advice requires more wisdom than to give it.”

—John Churton Collins, Literary Critic

Image from tanveernasser.com

I put significant focus on an individual’s self-awareness when I begin a new coaching engagement. To do this, I introduce an “inner voice” exercise, in which the person pays close attention to:

What their inner voice is saying,
Determining if this voice is supportive or critical,
Determining how open and receptive they are to the thoughts of others.

Most people discover that when they look for the value and contribution in what others say, they reap greater rewards and boost their relationships.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you shift your own “inner voice” to receive more good advice and wisdom from others?

See Their Magic

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Barry

“To love a person is to see all of their magic and to remind them of it when they have forgotten.”

— Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by Linus Bohman

As part of my signature Personal Excellence Training, I spend an entire day with my client, getting to know them well and fully understanding their vision, values, and goals. This investment of time creates a special partnership called coaching, in which, over time, the magic of each individual is discovered and enhanced.

Throughout this coaching journey, most people experience setbacks and doubts about themselves, and their capacity to achieve their most cherished goals. We all need a committed and loving supporter to remind us of our magic when difficult times cause us to forget.

EXERCISE:

How can you demonstrate your love and caring for others by seeing their magic and reminding them of it when they forget?

Who are the caring people in your personal or professional worlds who could play this role for you?

Leadership is the Bridge

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Barry

“A life is what we live, a legacy is what we leave, and leadership is the bridge.”

-Jay Goff, Coach, Speaker, Trainer

“The Mighty Mac” Image from Flickr by C. Hanchey

When I Googled the word “Leadership,” 750 million hits came up. Clearly, a lot of folks around the world—including Jay Goff—see great value in this important skill.

When we simplify this widely studied and examined quality, we can agree that it must include speaking about and engendering a desired future in others. The great news today’s quote suggests is that we can all use this bridge to leave a legacy and a lasting difference as we live each day.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you develop and expand your own leadership abilities to create a more extraordinary life, and leave the personal and professional legacy you desire?

Values Unite Us

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Barry

“Beliefs divide us, values unite us.”

-Jeff Rasley, Himalayan Trek Organizer & Author

QC #1014

As a student of leadership I have always been interested in what brings communities and organizations together, and what tears them apart. Prior to writing his classic book Good To Great, Jim Collins wrote a well-researched book titled Built to Last. He had studied many organizations in many industries and found that what today’s quote states is true, and highly valuable.

There is no question that values, beliefs, behaviors, norms, and attitudes shared and exemplified within organizations create the culture, and literally attract or repel staff and customers.

Stated simply: United we Stand, Divided we Fall.

EXERCISE:

How can you use the simple insight from today’s quote to help support and strengthen the personal and professional communities you care about the most?

“You are my sun, my moon…”

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Barry

“You are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.”

-E.E. Cummings, American poet, painter, essayist & playwright

Image from ark.ie

The sun, the moon, and the stars emit or reflect light. When light shines upon and around us, we can see and better understand things.

The people closest to us that care the most offer us this opportunity every day, particularly when our eyes are wide open with receptivity and gratitude. It is at these times we discover more about ourselves and can become even more of what is possible for us.

EXERCISE:

Who are the sun, moon, and stars that have made and continue to make a difference in your life? How will you thank them, illuminate their lives, or the lives of others in the same way?

Collect Moments Not Things

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Barry

“Collect Moments, Not Things.”

-Author Unknown

QC #1003

On the ninth of March my family did something magical to celebrate my wife Wendy’s birthday. We went to Disneyland in California.

For me, collecting the moments of discovery, joy, and amazement were the highlights. The beautiful expression on Wendy’s face in today’s photo sums it all up!

By the end of the day our cell phone batteries were completely drained from all the photos we took and the texts we sent. That was a good barometer of how well we spent the day! We also purchased a Precious Moment figurine and a few other things to commemorate this special day.

EXERCISE:

Where would collecting more moments and less things make the biggest difference in your world?

Set Your Life on Fire

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Barry

“Set your life on Fire. Seek those who fan your flames.”

—Rumi, 13th century Persian Poet

Photo from freehdw.com

Most people and many organizations embark on a fresh and inspired start at the beginning of each new year. Without question, you can feel the flames of their purpose and passions. Unfortunately, many of those fires are smoldering embers by now, or may be extinguished altogether.

Rumi knew long ago about the critical component that social support can provide to help keep those inspired flames alive. The engagement of social support from friends, family, co-workers, mentors, and coaches is like an insurance policy that boosts the odds of successful outcomes many fold.

EXERCISE:

Where would seeking and securing additional social support keep your personal or professional fires burning?

Where can and will you fan the flames of those you care about to return the favor?

One of my favorite books that emphasizes this critical idea is Influencer: The Power to Change Anything by Kerry Patterson, and Joseph Grenny.

All of us are Smarter

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Barry

“All of us are smarter than any of us.”

-Douglas Merrill, Organizational Guru

Image from teamworkandleadership.com

Today’s quote got me thinking about teamwork and Patrick Lencioni’s book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. In this leadership fable, Lencioni tells the story of an imaginary technology company struggling to grow and secure new customers.

Three key take-aways from this book will almost certainly make today’s quote true. In most cases, if the group of individuals does not demonstrate these characteristics, there may be good reason for going it alone:

Team members engender trust in one another by being vulnerable and open.
Healthy teams encourage respectful debate and dialogue to reach optimal decisions.
Team environments in which everyone’s ideas and thoughts are considered almost always generate heightened levels of buy-in and mutual commitment.

EXERCISE:

How and where can you foster enhanced teamwork to optimize the collective smarts of the groups with which you work?

Some People Cross Your Path

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Barry

“Some people cross your path and change your whole direction.”

-Author Unknown

Image from timemachine.wikia.com

Those who have been following The Quotable Coach for some time already have a mental “time machine,” and have taken various trips into the past and future. If you have not yet built your imaginary time machine, take a moment to do so now.

Today’s trip takes you back in time to visit the friends, family, teachers, mentors, and coaches who have made a positive and lasting difference in your life.

Examine the way in which they were “there for you,” guiding, supporting, and even providing tough love to help you discover and pursue your destiny.

EXERCISE:

Should any of these people still be around, find a way to acknowledge and thank them for the difference they made in your life.

Where can you play a similar role to support a special person in your personal or professional world?

Talk About Things that Matter

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Barry

“Talk about things that matter to people who care.”

-Jim Rohn, author and motivational speaker

Image from Flickr by sepblog

The nugget of wisdom in today’s quote highlights two of the most significant elements of success.

By focusing on more things that truly matter, we prioritize the important over seemingly urgent issues we encounter throughout the day.

Caring, supportive people provide needed ongoing counsel and occasional kicks in the butt. Their encouragement causes us to stretch and engage in the hard work needed to pursue and realize the goals and objectives that matter.

EXERCISE:

Who are the people in your life who care deeply about your success? How can you focus more of your interactions on the stuff of life that really matters?