Coaching for Leaders

Bill George: Discover Your True North On this episode, we learn how to discover your true north with Bill George, one of America’s most seasoned business leaders. Bill is a senior fellow at Harvard Business School and the former Chairman and CEO of Medtronic, the world’s leading medical technology company. He is the author of several bestselling books including True North*, Authentic Leadership*, and most recently Discover Your True North*. Quotes Your life story defines your leadership. –Bill George Leadership is your choice, not your title. –Bill George Leadership can be lonely, and the only way to overcome that loneliness is to surround yourself with truth tellers and people who care about you. –Bill George Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Jacqueline Farrington: Executive Coach On this week’s show, Jacqueline Farrington teaches us how to lead through times of uncertainty and change. Jacqueline works with senior and board-level leaders. She specializes in helping executives create high-impact personal brands and communication strategies, with particular focus on cross-generational and cross-cultural communications. Key Points 70% of all major organizational changes fail 20% of employees will support your change from the start Book: First Break all the Rules* by Marcus Buckingham Quotes People often have the perception that organizational change is about change management and not change leadership. The distinction is that while they both deliver change, change management is about the processes that we use. Change leadership is about the vision, creating a sense of urgency, and speaking to the hearts and minds of your employees. —Jaqueline Ferrington Generally, when an organization introduces change, 20% of employees will support the change. But the rest, 80%, are either fence-sitters or active resisters, and often leaders forget about that. —Jaqueline Ferrington Often, leaders look at their change champions, and think, “Ah, I don’t really have to pay attention to these people because they really believe in it, they’re driving it.” But if those people begin to feel ignored or that they aren’t being used to support the change, they can become highly disengaged. —Jaqueline Ferrington Leaders often approach change from their perspective, not from their followers’ perspective. —Jaqueline Ferrington Recommendations Book: Your Brain at Work* by David Rock Book: The Progress Principle* by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer Book: Overcoming Immunity to Change* by Robert Kegan Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why and Leaders Eat Last, discusses the importance of purpose in leadership, the problem with market research, and the significance of wanting to be a leader. He emphasizes the fulfillment that comes through service to others and the importance of creating strong human relationships. Sinek also highlights the role of empathy and trust in effective leadership.

My 2015 Goals Produce and launch the first Coaching for Leaders product or service. Achieved. Play 7 songs on the guitar. In progress. Free 2-3 hours a week of work by delegating significant audio production. Achieved. Dale Carnegie goal. Not applicable. Read 15 books, including 1 fiction, 2 on early childhood development, and 2 HBR essentials. In progress. Strengthen my network and friendships through two significant interactions interactions each week. No. Attend a copywriting course. Achieved. Go on a camping trip with our son. Achieved. (I mentioned the Last Child in the Woods* by Richard Louv). Double the weekly listenership of Coaching for Leaders. In progress. Final 2015 tally: 4 goals achieved 3 goals in progress 1 missed goal 1 not applicable Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

Bonni is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, she was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. Bonni is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*. Audio Question from Steve Steve had a question about how to be a project manager and deal with tough situations while having an introverted personality. Episode 124: How to Get What You Really Want Out of a Conflict CFL: How to Restore Productivity When People are Angry CFL: Make Difficult Conversations Easier by Dave Stachowiak CFL: 5 Ways to Address a Hostile Audience by Dave Stachowiak Question from Michelle I'm rather annoyed with myself this week as I was very harsh to my team member. I have apologized and she accepted my apology. However I'm not happy that it occurred and I need to deal with the cause. I think the cause is to do with the fact that she is older than me and is a different personality type. I find it difficult to believe that she does respect me and so my harsh communication was a result of my suspicion. It's such a shame because we'd reached an even closer level of communication this week too. We both wanted to work with each other and after my apology she reconfirmed that the reason she wanted to do this job was to work with me. I think I need to go back to basics with her again and find out again what she needs from me. I also listened again to episode 59, but my problem is almost the opposite to the issues raised. I have another new team member starting soon. If you have any advice, or can recommend another podcast episode…I’d be grateful! Episode 54: How Authentic Leaders Apologize Episode 59: Seven Principles for Leading People Older Than You Book: Leadership and Self-Deception* by Arbinger Institute Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team* by Patrick Lencioni Question from Hollie I am full of energy, eager to share and learn. Today I was told by someone I went to for advice that they think that here I can't teach people, that I am presenting myself as if I know everything. My questions is: how do I deal with situations when you think you are doing things the right way because that is your experience and everything you have learned and it was working, and it is what is being discussed in your podcast but yet not now working? Episode 143: Accepting Feedback Episode 149: An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth Book: The First 90 Days* by Michael D. Watkins Question from Tim I work in one of the top five fields were there is a huge demand for skilled laborers but, there is also not much room for advancement. My hope is that in getting an MBA I would be better suited for a higher role. Is my way of thinking off? Why would anyone hire me as a manager if I have no experience in the sector, even with an MBA? But my hope is that armed with an MBA that somehow someone will see that I’m trying to better myself with continued learning, and give me that chance. Feedback Comments, questions, or feedback for future Q&A shows: http://coachingforleaders.com/feedback The next Q&A show is Episode 225 Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

Laura Sicola: Vocal Impact Productions Quotes In teaching, your best skill is flexibility. – Laura Sicola Most people are painfully oblivious to how they come across when they communicate. – Laura Sicola Typically, with somebody that you choose to listen to regularly, there’s something about the way they communicate that both speaks to you in their content, but you also like the sound of their voice. – Laura Sicola What I’m trying to help people see is that you already have the entire range of speech styles available to you. They’re already a part of who you are. It’s just a matter of being able to tap into them when necessary. – Laura Sicola Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Michael Port Author, Steal the Show* www.michaelport.com Reporter: “How can an actor run for president?” Ronald Reagan: “How can a president not be an actor?” Michael Port is a NY Times bestselling author of six books including Book Yourself Solid*, The Think Big Manifesto*, and his hot new release, Steal the Show*. He has also been a successful professional actor, guest starring on shows like Sex & The City, Law & Order, Third Watch, All My Children, and in films like The Pelican Brief and Down to Earth. These days, Michael can be seen regularly on MSNBC, CNBC, and PBS as an expert in communication and business development. A good performance is authentic behavior in a manufactured environment. –Michael Port The better prepared you are, the easier it is to be authentic. –Michael Port If you have a high stakes situation, and you need your Powerpoint slides to know what’s coming next, you’re not prepared enough. –Michael Port Three questions people ask when listening to a speech: Will this thing work? Is this something worth my time? Is this person able to champion this idea? The five components of great speeches: A big idea that is relevant to the listeners  Be very clear on what is being promised in the presentation Make sure you can demonstrate that you understand the way the world looks to them Be able to demonstrate the consequences of not adopting the big idea Work hard to serve the audience Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

Beth Buelow: The Introvert Entrepreneur Beth Buelow, author of The Introvert Entrepreneur*, shows us how to expand into our capacity zone while still using our comfort zone as a home base. Quotes When you 'fail,' it’s usually because you were attached to a particular outcome. And when it doesn’t happen that way, it gets labeled a 'failure.' —Beth Buelow If you approach your goals with less attachment, you’ll find yourself much better able to see those failures as data, rather than indictments of your character and who you are. —Beth Buelow The comfort zone is what makes stepping out into the unknown possible. —Beth Buelow Remember to celebrate every time you stretch that capacity zone. —Beth Buelow Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Kendra Kinnison kendrakinnison.com coach.me/kendra How to Get Yourself Unstuck: Lead yourself effectively (get your own ducks in a row) Build your empathy muscle Don’t let stress derail you Tiny Habits When you’re stuck, use the Tiny Habit Approach Developed by BJ Fogg, a researcher at Stanford Think about what’s the absolute tiniest step you can take forward, and then commit to taking that step every day Tiny habits lower mental hurdles so much that our mental resistance doesn’t kick in. -Kendra Kinnison Think About a Restarting Strategy More often than not, it’s the good things that throw us off. -Kendra Kinnison I see restarting as just as natural a skill as continuing a routine. -Kendra Kinnison Resources: App: Gratitude Journal* App: Coach.me* Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Bonni is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, she was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. Bonni is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*. Question from Willian I have been working at the same area (Customer Service) for 2 years and 9 months. I really like my job and I have a better performance comparing with my coworkers who are older than me. How do you see the integration between people from different generations at work? How can I improve my influence with people more experienced than I? Is there any tip for people like me who need to contact professionals from different cultures at work? “The counts of the indictment are luxury, bad manners, contempt for authority, disrespect to elders, and a love for chatter in place of exercise. Children began to be the tyrants, not the slaves, of their households. They no longer rose from their seats when an elder entered the room; they contradicted their parents, chattered before company, gobbled up the dainties at table, and committed various offenses against Hellenic tastes.” -Kenneth John Freeman Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini* How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie* Episode 59: Seven Principles for Leading People Older Than You Episode 158: How to Lead the Millennials Jack Welch on reverse mentoring Millennials Who Manage by Chip Espinoza* Question from Tammy I can see how alerting the group to bad news before the meeting could be good, but if they have time to stew over it won't they be even more resistant to the idea when they come to the meeting? I am in a position where I am having to get a group of people to do something that they do not want to do and do not see value in. How do I get buy in? I am passionate about it but my group is very resistant and will not listen to my ideas without the whole meeting turning in to an argument instead of a productive meeting. 5 Ways To Address A Hostile Audience Question from Andrew I am a university admissions counsellor, which means I work with students from their initial contact/application all the way through to seeing them registered in their program. It’s essentially a sales job (targets, travel, and lots of phone calls, emails and presentations). It turns out I am very good at my job and I have not yet failed to meet my goals. It is however a very cyclical job and I’m just starting my third cycle. The problem is, I’m getting pretty bored answering the same questions over and over again. I suspect my introverted and ADD personality are culprits in this. Do you have any suggestions on how to stay fresh and engaged with prospects when handling lots of repetitive tasks? Question from Sylvia I have recently been promoted. I would appreciate your input what I should use for presentations. I would like to be creative and innovative in my presentations. Please let me know what you believe is the best product to accomplish my goal(s). She also wants to know more about interactive technology. slide:ology by Nancy Duarte* Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds* Poll Everywhere Haiku Deck Question from Katie I am currently working with my leadership team to identify areas where we can work to develop our team members (mostly hourly employees who do a lot of processing). Critical thinking is an area that has come up. I am wondering if either of you have any advice and or can point me to your archive for some tips on critical thinking skills and how to develop them. Second email: For this particular situation, I have a group of team members that are hourly and they are more “repetitive process” oriented in their day-to-day activities. But, we want them to stretch and grow. Specifically,