Coaching For Leaders

Most of us will either ask to or be called upon to roll out a new initiative sometime in our careers. My guest Christina Kull Martens and her team successfully launched the greeNG initiative at the Northrop Grumman Corporation. Today, you’ll learn how they did it. Guest: Christina Kull Martens Manager, Manufacturing Integration Northrop Grumman Corporation Community Feedback CoachingforLeaders.com/96 USA: (949) 38-LEARN feedback@coachingforleaders.com Twitter: #CFLshow Episode #100 (and the two year anniversary of this show) is just around the corner. On episode #100, the show is going to be about success stories from our community members. That’s you! Please call (949) 38-LEARN to record a contribution or visit coachingforleaders.com/speak to submit by computer. Tell me three things: What’s one thing you’ve discovered from listening to this show? How did you apply it? What was the result? Want a mid-week booster shot? I send an email article out every week via email. Just go to coachingforleaders.

You simply can’t manage without the appropriate amount of authority. In this show, I walk you through six things you can do if you find yourself in this situation. In addition, this is a good check-point for ourselves as leaders to ensure we aren’t putting others into this situation. The most important thing to know? You can’t manage without authority. 1. What’s likely the scenario? Poor communication? Organizational politics? Discomfort area of the leader? Is it you? Do you really need authority in this area? 2. Watch and record what happens (or anticipate what could happen). 3. Connect your objectives and evidence to the bottom-line or organizational mission Almost always there is a cost factor What does it keep you from being able to do? Speaks to the logical minds of many leaders (task-oriented, people-oriented) 4. Make the request Be clear on the problem you are trying to solve and what you need Have a plan (timeline, steps, etc.) Show evidence that you have a plan Be prep

Gary Takacs has been helping dentists become better business leaders for virtually his entire career. He is an expert in professional practice management and helps dentists to learn how to grow and develop their business and leadership skills so they can better serve patients and grow their practices. Gary is also the host of The Thriving Dentist podcast, airing weekly. Whether you are in healthcare or not, you’ll learn lots about practical business leadership from Gary. Guest: Gary Takacs The Thriving Dentist Podcast Community Feedback CoachingforLeaders.com/93 USA: (949) 38-LEARN feedback@coachingforleaders.com Twitter: #CFLshow Thank you to Jacquelyn Thorp, Russ Kennedy, Rachel Hall, Jamie Davis, Monica B, Scott Allison, and Jack Kelly for following me this week on social media. If you’d like to stay connected as well, simply go to CoachingforLeaders.com and find the social media icons on this page. Want a mid-week booster shot? I send an email article out every week via email. Just go to coachingfo

Leadership is often most challenging when the path forward is not clear. In this week’s episode, I talk with Barry Schwartz, author of the book Practical Wisdom: The Right Way To Do the Right Thing to help us discover how we can make better decisions as leaders. Guest: Barry Schwartz Author with Kenneth Sharpe of Practial Wisdom: The Right Way To Do the Right Thing Here are Barry’s TED Talks: Our Loss Of Wisdom Using Our Practical Wisdom The Paradox Of Choice Barry also mentioned the book The Blessing Of A Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel Connect with Barry on the LinkedIn Influencer platform Community Feedback CoachingforLeaders.com/92 USA: (949) 38-LEARN feedback@coachingforleaders.com Twitter: #CFLshow Check out my new series of QuickCoach videos, that will be airing each week. Thank you to Philippa Willitts, Abdul Rauf, Randy Alvarez, Pekka Peltonen, Mariela Diaz, Mark Sieverkropp, Julie Starnes, Greg Payne, and Kelly Anderson, Ben Kanu, Khalil Kouidrat, Eneogwe Chinyere Linda, and Akuyela Evelina

Mark Goulston: Real Influence Check out Mark’s article on this same topic on the Harvard Business Review blog Three three-step process that Mark recommended: 1. What are you most frustrated about? 2. What are you most angry about? 3. What are you really worried about? Here are links to Mark’s books: Real Influence: Persuade Without Pushing and Gain Without Giving In Just Listen Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

On episode #89, I welcomed Steve Dosier, a StrengthsFinder expert formerly of Gallup and now with Blue Star Intel, to teach us about the history of CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder). This week, he takes Bonni and I through our StrengthsFinder 2.0 results so you can learn more about the value of utilizing your CliftonStrengths report. Guest: Steve Dosier Blue Star Intel Questions Steve asked of us: Individual Questions How closely do you feel your Top–5 Strengths match you? What do you agree strongly with? Are there any areas that don’t quite sound like you? Relationship Questions What Strengths do you feel you both connect upon and why? What Strengths do you find complimentary to your own and why? How do you leverage each other’s Strengths to get the best from each other? (You get the best of me when…) I feel this Strength helps me provide a unique contribution to our relationship… (My contribution to this relationship is….) Now that you know each other’s Strengths as defined

  CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) is one of the most popular instruments utilized in corporate training and coaching programs. In this episode, I welcome Steve Dosier, a StrengthsFinder expert formerly of Gallup and now with Blue Star Intel, to teach us about the history of CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) and help us discover how we can get the most value from the CliftonStrengths assessment. Guest: Steve Dosier Blue Star Intel Here are some of the resources we discussed during the show: StrengthsFinder 2.0 book* (a code is included in this book for the instrument) Now Discover Your Strenghts* (also includes assessment) Living with Your Strengths book (also includes assessment) You can purchase a code ala carte to take the StrengthsFinder assessment at this link without purchasing the book. Community Feedback CoachingforLeaders.com/89 USA: (949) 38-LEARN feedback@coachingforleaders.com Twitter: #CFLshow Thank you to Regan Kakoschke, Malik Tayyab, Zouré Basnewendé, Nakhli

Almost everyone who leads is doing more influencing of people through technology. Many of us are even working remotely or managing others who work remotely. In this show, I welcome Loren Kousaie from Microsoft to speak about his extensive experience in leading people virtually over the years - and to offer us suggestions and what we can do better when communicating and leading from a distance. Community Feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Global: +1 (949) 385-3276 Twitter: @DaveStachowiak #CFLshow feedback@coachingforleaders.com Guest: Loren Kousaie, Microsoft Here are the questions I asked of Loren: Tell me about your role at Microsoft and how you're physically spaced from your team. What's a typical day like for you? Also, what kind of tools are you using to connect with your team? What is different about leading people working virtually than leading in other venues? How do you set expectations with your team about what a remote relationship with you will be like? When you started leading virtually, w

When we get beaten down, it's important for us to take actions that will pick us back up. In this show, I suggest ten things that you can do to pick yourself up after a difficult day, week, or month. If you are feeling beaten down right now, I challenge you to take action on at least one of these suggestions. Community Feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Global: +1 (949) 385-3276 Twitter: @DaveStachowiak #CFLshow feedback@coachingforleaders.com 1) Find something to be in awe of…preferably something you had something to do with 2) Call the Leena in your life Beware of people who want to fix you Beware of people who don't listen to you when you have a bad day. Find the people that will stop and listen 3) Help somebody who can do nothing for you The real test of a person's character is to watch how they treat someone who can do nothing for them. Mother Theresa was a powerful example “The opposite of faith is not doubt, it’s certainty." -Anne Lamott Who could you help? 4) Get outdoors 5) Read three pa

Daniel Pink: To Sell is Human Daniel Pink is the author of several bestselling books on the changing world of work. He recently released his newest book, To Sell Is Human, which is also now a bestseller. In this episode, Daniel joins me to speak about his new book, to tell us what's changed about sales, and to explain why we're all in sales now...even leaders. Here are the questions I asked of Daniel: You make a strong case in the book is that sales has changed. What's changed? Most people I know assume that the best salespeople are extroverts. The research you've cited in your book says no. Why not? The use of sales scripts has been rampant in developing salespeople. You call sales scripts into question a bit in this book - so what can leaders and organizations do differently to develop their sales teams? You use the term "non-sales selling" to describe what a majority of us do in our work almost every day. One area your highlight is email subject lines. Why is the subject line so important and how

Lynette Young: Google+ for Small Businesses Virtually everyone wants to build their professional network, but few people are truly effective at doing it in person - and many believe it's ever more challenging online. On this episode, I welcome Lynette Young from Purple Stripe Productions and author of the book Google+ for Small Businesses. Over 1.5 million people follow Lynette online, so she brings a lot of credibility and experience to those of us who want to engage online more effectively. Please note that since this episode originally aired, Google has permanently sunsetted the Google+ social media network. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Michelle Smith: O.C. Tanner Vice President, Business Development for O.C. Tanner The 10 steps we discuss: Strategic planning Understand your audience Fact finding Program structure Communication Type of awards Budget Measurement Tracking Analysis Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Michelle Smith: O.C. Tanner Vice President, Business Development for O.C. Tanner Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Some people live about 90 years. Some people live one year, 90 times. Which one are you and how does it affect your leadership of others and yourself? In this episode, my guest Heather Backstrom and I discuss the topic of purpose and how clarity of purpose can help us be more effective leaders and have more balanced and fulfilled lives. Community Feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Global: +1 (949) 385-3276 Twitter: @DaveStachowiak #CFLshow feedback@coachingforleaders.com Special Guest: Dr. Heather Backstrom Executive Coach info@heatherbackstrom.com Community Feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Global: +1 (949) 385-3276 Twitter: @DaveStachowiak #CFLshow feedback@coachingforleaders.com Not clear on your values? My one-page values exercise is available at this link. Our first live webinar launches within the next month! If you have a suggestion for our first topic, email me at feedback@coachingforleaders.com and be sure you are on my weekly article list. You can subscribe at this link. Thank you to Gabrellia Weber,

Bringing smart ideas to the table isn't enough; we also need to be able to sell those ideas. The best idea communicated poorly will fare much worse than a mediocre idea communicated well. In this episode, I'll examine what you can do to help your ideas take off. Community Feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Global: +1 (949) 385-3276 Twitter: @DaveStachowiak #CFLshow feedback@coachingforleaders.com Six mistakes you may be making when pitching a great idea: 1) Neglecting to interact with the people who are impacted most by your idea. 2) Ignoring people who could help you. 3) Spending too much time on the unimportant details. 4) Assuming the "pitch" is the decision point. 5) Failing to strategize how to work around obstacles. 6) Hesitating on bad news. Community Feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Global: +1 (949) 385-3276 Twitter: @DaveStachowiak #CFLshow feedback@coachingforleaders.com Thank you to Jackie Tirpak, Catherine Powell, Waldemar-Joachim Siara, and Rick Gray for either liking our page on Facebook or f

JoAnne Norton: Family Business Consulting Group Family businesses account for 60% of all jobs in the United States and 98% of all companies elsewhere. The dynamics of family business are unique and communication becomes even more critical. In this episode, I interview family business consultant JoAnne Norton of the Family Business Consulting Group on how family business can prosper from one generation to the next with effective communication. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

As our careers grow, we get more and more opportunities to attend conferences. Most people fail to maximize what they can gain from a conference. In this episode, I interview experienced conference-goer and speaker Charles Max Wood of Ruby Rogues and Javascript Jabber on how he maximizes the value he gets from conferences. Community Feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Global: +1 (949) 385-3276 Twitter: @DaveStachowiak #CFLshow feedback@coachingforleaders.com My guest this week is: Charles Max Wood of the Ruby Rogues and Javascript Jabber podcasts Learn Ruby on Rails at Chuck's site: Rails Ramp Up Twitter: @cmaxw Community Feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Global: +1 (949) 385-3276 Twitter: @DaveStachowiak #CFLshow feedback@coachingforleaders.com Thank you to Jeffrey Powers, Eveliina Vuolli, Cesar Abeid, Suzie Farthing, Michael Farthing, Risto Mononen, Kristie Cole, and Christina Caesar for either liking our page on Facebook or following me on Google+ A special thank you to Suzie Farthing for writing an iTunes re

All of us are trying to be effective while handling some level of chaos, yet some are more efficient in getting it all done than others. Dave responds to a listener question and gives suggestions for how to get it all done when the reason you aren't getting it done is because you have too much on your plate. Community Feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Global: +1 (949) 385-3276 Twitter: @DaveStachowiak #CFLshow feedback@coachingforleaders.com 1) Figure out what you need to do exclusively, that no one else can do Look at the last really full week you had... What could you teach someone else to do? Are you believing the fallacy that no one else could do as good a job as you on all your tasks? 2) Have defined outcomes for a specific timeframe Contract with your manager on what outcomes are most important Remember that you can't hit a target that you don't have Keep these priorities simple and easily trackable. The SMART framework can be helpful (see episode #15) 3) Do quality work (be careful about just

All of us are being bombarded by so much information and data that we can barely keep up. If we want to be able to influence more effectively, we need to be able to do it concisely. Bonni and I discuss strategies for making this happen. Community Feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Global: +1 (949) 385-3276 Twitter: @DaveStachowiak #CFLshow feedback@coachingforleaders.com Mark Twain received the following telegram from a publisher: NEED 2-PAGE SHORT STORY TWO DAYS. And famously replied... NO CAN DO 2 PAGES TWO DAYS. CAN DO 30 PAGES 2 DAYS. NEED 30 DAYS TO DO 2 PAGES. In his book Information Anxiety, Richard Saul Wurman states that a standard issue of the New York Times contains more information than a citizen of 17th England would have absorbed in their entire lifetime. The problem? Many people will tune us out when we are not concise. People stop taking calls or are often "unavailable" from people who can't be concise. Lots of people will stop seeking advice from someone who can't give it concisely.

Every one of us must face the challenge of influencing someone who managers us. While some people have a natural talent for this, most of us have a hard time getting started since doing this well is more of an art than a science. In this episode, Bonni and I discuss eight things you can do to influence in the correct way. Community Feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Global: +1 (949) 385-3276 Twitter: @DaveStachowiak #CFLshow feedback@coachingforleaders.com Bonni and I discuss our eight suggestions for managing up: 1) Support your manager publicly: Avoid gossip if you can, and when someone is truly trying to problem solve, do your best to help them understand each side of the situation instead of being critical. One of the fastest ways to lose trust with your manager is for them to discover you've been speaking poorly about them behind their backs. 2) Tell your manager what you are planning: It rarely is a problem to over communicate something...most people take the opposite position and don't communicate en