Thought • Knowledge • Insight - TSO Consulting

Tki#4. Coaching Profile – Lyn Bicker

TSO Consulting — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:01:20 GMT

Topics covered

Who benefits from using a coach
How coaching helps - what does it do
And how coaches recognise the difference between coaching and therapy

Proud Of Your Actions?

TSO Consulting — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:19:33 GMT

If I asked you when you were last proud of how you acted what would you say?

This ‘traveller’s tale’ got me musing about pride, and how much it can contribute to our actions.

A gung-ho adventuress my friend Victoria is not, but on holiday in Jordan she found herself carefully negotiating the same perilous cliff paths that featured in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Walking in the footsteps of the film’s hero, Victoria shot nervous glances down plunging ravines also – she’s not a great one for heights and so came the point where she felt she couldn’t continue. For this explorer, no matter how persuasive the guides, or how many people had gone before, there was no holy grail to be had by crossing a bridge that was way too rocky in all kinds of ways.

Victoria’s young daughter Becky was nervous too but she was determined to get across. She’s reasoned that this part of the route was no more difficult than earlier challenges: rocks to clamber over and around, steep and demanding trails. More to the point, her younger brother had sought the safety of a ride on one of the guide’s donkeys, and she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of getting across without her!

After a mum-daughter chat Victoria was persuaded that if Becky could traverse this part of the cliff, then she could too. In a matter of minutes Becky had become a role model for her mother. They each made it to and fro over the bridge and the experience wove itself into the memories of the trip to Wadi Rum.

Months on, and as Victoria regales the story she is still rightly proud of the ‘Indiana moment’.

I think this is good kind of pride, albeit borne out of Becky’s literally childish pride not to be beaten by her brother!

Pride around everyday more pedestrian challenges might simply be to get something done, nail that business project, organise the team. Or perhaps pride is/can be about people... firing up enthusiasm, maybe; or stopping something inappropriate.

It’s natural to want to feel proud of what we do and the actions we take. To those who counter that pride is one of the seven deadly sins, I say, true but that’s more about hubris or arrogance. In this context the poet Dante’s definition was ‘self-love perverted to hatred and contempt for one’s neighbour’.

According to sociologist Erving Goffman, pride is what makes us go to extreme lengths to avoid embarrassment. Here, then, it’s a spur, a means of keeping our eye on the performance ball.

Daniel Goleman reinforces this in his book Social Intelligence, describing pride as one of the inner police emotions. ‘It encourages us to do what others will laud, while shame and guilt keep us in line by serving as internal punishments for social misdemeanours’.

He tells the story of a basketball coach who in the heat of a tense and important match, sent in a ‘six-foot-three, 250-pound giant’ to commit ‘hard fouls’ – hurting people on the other team. One of these fouls sent an opponent to hospital with a broken arm and kept him out of the game for the rest of the season.

The basketball coach took immediate action. He suspended himself from coaching, saying he was ‘very, very remorseful’.

If you’re not proud of your actions, they will make diddly-squat difference to boosting your performance. If you’re going through the motions, you’re unlikely ever to get beyond ‘average’, and maybe you won’t even get that high…

To be proud of our actions in a way that relates to performance, whether in business or personal life, we need to plan what we want to achieve and how we’ll achieve it in a good way. At work, for example, maybe you want to maximise your impact, improve your effectiveness, generate pace and urgency, help others adapt to change, bring about team cohesion and collaboration, or create new approaches to old problems.

These are some of the most common challenges around which I’m asked to coach. My clients are proactive, if stuck; lost in a fog of conflicting priorities and discombobulating needs. They want to know, ‘how do I achieve....’, ‘how can I improve....’, why do I feel....’.

If there is a common denominator for why people need coaching it’s that they seek clarity. It’s my job to ask the powerful question; to challenge in a positive way, to be empathic, to help my client realise they know the answer – they just don’t know what it is yet. The work helps people become better at what they need to do – coaching helps good leaders become great. It enhances awareness of your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to focus on your strengths and to be OK with not being the perfect all-rounder.

This conundrum most frequently rears its head when someone has been promoted and has new responsibilities. One client of mine was a newly appointed Director and wanted support for how she would manage her place in her team, and the style in which she would lead it. She wanted to establish a future role as a leader of her large organisation.

Her team’s challenges were varied... expansion was a key objective and growing pains would be an immediate issue for managers grappling with the need to work differently. Our coaching work together focussed on core needs - establishing the optimum style for managing a growing department; work-life balance; support for building a five-year strategy; and planning how my client would evolve as a role model for the senior management teams.

What helped this executive find her place was work around authentic leadership; this helped her define her own style of leadership, and put her own stamp on her territory.
If you don’t have a coach and are stuck, here are three steps you can take to improve your personal standing - all the more important in these credit crunch times.

Ask yourself, are you just ticking over, or seizing opportunities to do even better?

Now do these three things:

Define the level at which you are currently performing
Raise your performance bar – aim to be better, and refocus on what you really want to achieve
Now you’ve raised the bar, think about how you’re going to jump it& hellip; what difference can you make to your own, and to your team’s performance and contribution?

Victoria raised the bar in Jordan by seeing her nine-year-old daughter as a courageous role model, and sharing her pride in tackling a scary situation.

The basketball coach raised the bar by recognising he’d got the wrong sort of pride, focused entirely on winning even if it meant physical harm to the opposing team, and potentially, his own players.

So, when you were last proud of how you acted? And what will it take to make you feel proud of your performance?

Article available as a pdf - download (348KB)

Micro Coaching

TSO Consulting — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:15:50 GMT

In 10 minutes micro-coaching will help you grasp your problem and identify a course of action.

Clarity. That's what most of our coaching clients seek. And traditionally we help them achieve this with a measured programme of coaching sessions.

For those who prefer – and need – more instant access to experienced coaches, TSOC Micro-Coaching is ideal. In 10 minutes Micro-Coaching will help you grasp your problem and identify a course of action.

What a 10-minute micro-coaching conversation can achieve:

Reconnect with what you want
Clarify conflicting priorities
Turn a sense of unhappiness into a clear understanding of the problem and what might need to change
Objectivity and distance from the thing that's tripping you up
Identify emotions that mean you remain stuck
Step up, take action and stop living a ‘small life’
Ask you to answer simple, powerful question. It might days for you to answer it but the very process of thinking things through will help your fog clear

How it works:

Step one: Complete a profile document and explain your challenge as best you can
Step two: A BMMH coach calls you at your selected time and date

Book NOW. The booking process alone will help you focus your thoughts.

Micro Coaching

TSO Consulting — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:31:49 GMT

In 10 minutes micro-coaching will help you grasp your problem and identify a course of action.

Clarity. That's what most of our coaching clients seek. And traditionally we help them achieve this with a measured programme of coaching sessions.

Learn more about micro coaching or just BOOK NOW. The booking process alone will help you focus your thoughts.

Tki#3. Coaching Profile – Lyn Bicker

TSO Consulting — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:24:56 GMT

Topics covered

Coaching specialities
How coaching takes place
How experience ensures a 'safe pair of hands'
What's been Lyn's biggest coaching challenge so far

Tki#1. Changing The Way People Communicate – Introduction

TSO Consulting — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:34:38 GMT

Topics covered

Client case study
Introduction by Cathy Collins, TSOC
Background and history by David Aberdeen, HR Manager, EAW

Tki#2. Changing The Way People Communicate – Tools And Techniques

TSO Consulting — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:34:21 GMT

Topics covered

Client case study
Interviewer: Cathy Collins, TSOC
Client: David Aberdeen, HR Manager, EAW
Tools and techniques employed by TSOC

Executive Coaching

TSO Consulting — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:06:25 GMT

Rounded business expertise is a prerequisite for successful executive coaches today

TSOC executive coaches are as experienced in the challenges of private and public sector commerce as they are in developing people on a one-to-one basis, and in concentrating the minds of top teams on reaching core business objectives.

Our expertise and reputation for executive business coaching and for organisational development are in demand by organisations who want:

Organisational and cultural transformation
Talent and leadership development
Top teams concentrated on corporate objectives
Significant growth and development

Our coaches are led by Lyn Bicker, Managing Director - Consulting, who coaches at senior level - senior executives, Board Directors, Chief Operating Officers and managing Directors.

Interested? Use your next steps to find out more.

Coaching

TSO Consulting — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:44:07 GMT

Executive coaching is one of the most effective ways of becoming the best you can be...

Hone your communication or leadership style, explore individual and team strengths and weaknesses...

Coaching at senior level is TSOC's core business. Become more aware of the leader you are now; emerge as the leader you want to be.

Read our articles below to explore the why's and how's of business coaching... or learn more about executive coaching.

Or maybe you prefer - or need - more instant access to experienced coaches. Maybe to deal with a specific challenge and identify a course of action... learn more about micro coaching.

Resources

TSO Consulting — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:48:29 GMT

thought . knowledge . insight

We love to engage with customers on ‘hot topics’ around people and organisation development world, and arrange ‘drop-in’ meetings to do just that. We’re known for our thought, knowledge and insight, and you can most easily enjoy free access to this via our popular ‘Food For Thought’ articles.

We've put together an archive of thought pieces, published articles and company newsletters for you to read and digest... and we welcome your thoughts and questions.

Ideas List

TSO Consulting — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:25:26 GMT

Constant learning, continuous improvement.
You are your best investment.

Our consultants have put together ideas for further reading, listening and thinking.

Read:

Why work is Weird: An Antidote to Frustrations of Corporate Life
By Jerry Connor and Lee Sears

Anna Rawlinson, consultant, recommends this because it 'says so much about how the culture of an organisation can drag down your own values'. Anna applauds how the book suggests how to deal with this negativity without responding to it and compromising your own values.

A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix
By Edwin H Freidman

'For me the subtitle of this book - 'Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix' - is about courage, a subject close to my heart', says principal consultant Helena Brown. 'It also talks explicitly about anxiety - what better time to read it than now? This is a hard book to ignore and will inform your own approach and how you disport yourself - especially in difficult situations. It has a playful, erudite and easy to read style.'

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
By Jim Collins

'This is a good example of how a business model is proven after the fact,' says principal consultant Alan Mitchell. 'Some of the case studies in this book have come unstuck, i.e. Fannie Mae, but the model for success this book advocates does explain why. The book is a research-based examination of why certain companies have sustainable success and an interesting model for success which includes Level 5 leadership.'

First Things First
By Stephen R Covey

For consultant Carol Taylor, this remains a 'well-thumbed, great guide for getting me to reflect on what's important and spending every day working towards that. I try to follow his principles of Live, Love, Learn, and Leave a Legacy.'

Eat, Pray, Love
By Elizabeth Gilbert

Rachel Bicker, MD of Commercial Development, listened to this as an audiobook and found it a 'soothing, entertaining, soul-searching, and reassuringly simple view on the world, life and everything.' She adds: 'I recommend it as quite helpful for lateral thinking purposes, and it provides many internal prompts and checks for finding ways to do things differently. It's a novel, but could be classified as self-help, and it might change your life in some small way. I'm currently thinking about ways I can apply this world view to my life and approach to business.'

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
By Patrick Lencioni

Rachel recommends this book if you're struggling to get top performance from a top team. 'Unusually for this type of book, it's a good yarn,' she says. 'It sets a team-effectiveness model in a story, which makes it easier to digest. The model explores five common disfunctions that hold back teams... such as fear of conflict and avoidance of accountability. And there are practical steps to apply the model.'

A Great Task of Happiness: The Life of Kathleen Scott
By Louisa Young

If ever you feel you've been at the thin end of a tough day, this story of resilience will help you put things in perspective, says Cathy Collins, TSOC Head of Communication. While Captain Robert Scott was busy with the Antarctic exploration, his wife Kathleen passed the time by becoming a lauded sculptress and mother to Peter, who was a founder member of the World Wide Fund for Nature. But Kathleen's world was no cosy bed of roses and this biography maps her own navigation of life challenges while waiting for her husband to return. In 1913, while sailing to New Zealand to greet Captain Scott on his return from the South Pole, Kathleen learned mid-ocean of his death in Antarctica in March 1912.

Think about:

Non-confrontational leadership
Created by Marshall B Rosenberg - http://www.cnvc.org

'I'm interested in non-violent communication,' says consultant Anna Rawlinson. 'This is about effective communication - listening, being clear and taking responsibility so that people are not battered. It's about really, truly understanding someone's point of view.'

Five positives every day

Carol Taylor, consultant, says she gets grumpy people to think of five positive things that have happened to them a day. 'Sometimes it's a real struggle!' admits Carol (of certain relatives!). In the work context she find this approach helps:

1. When things are going well. 'It reminds us to draw attention to them and celebrate them. People thrive on positive strokes. It also reminds us that most of the time, most of us are doing a great job!'

2. When times are tough. 'It can help to balance things out so it doesn't seem doom and gloom, and often in those times it's the 'softer', more human things that come to the fore.

And Carol recommends this mechanism for individual stress management. 'Before you turn the key in the ignition, before you go to bed, try and list five things that have gone well, rather than dwell on the negative.'

Listen to:

The Bach Cantatas
Conducted by John Eliot Gardiner and performed by The Monteverdo Choir and The English Baroque Soloists

Recommended by Anna Rawlinson, consultant. 'I have two CD's - one has Cantatas numbers 106, 118 and 198; the other 140 and 147. Both are beautiful, they're inspiring. For me they open up a chamber that I don't go into very often; the present a whole take on life that I haven't yet got and they're my way in.

Communication

TSO Consulting — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:46:52 GMT

Effective business relationships are built on clear communications

It's about building rapport, and 'reaching' your audience. Yet good communication is an influencing skill few really master.

Read our articles below to discover more... or, you might also be interested to explore how executive coaching can improve your personal communications skills.

Leadership

TSO Consulting — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:40:23 GMT

Quality leadership is critical
in sustaining a successful organisation...

... and developing good leadership skills is one of the most important investments you can make in terms of driving your organisation forwards.

Read our articles below to explore some of our leadership thinking... or, find out more about our leadership development services.

Thought • Knowledge • Insight - TSO Consulting

Tki#4. Coaching Profile – Lyn Bicker

Topics covered

Links

Proud Of Your Actions?

If I asked you when you were last proud of how you acted what would you say?

Micro Coaching

In 10 minutes micro-coaching will help you grasp your problem and identify a course of action.

How it works:

Micro Coaching

In 10 minutes micro-coaching will help you grasp your problem and identify a course of action.

Tki#3. Coaching Profile – Lyn Bicker

Topics covered

Links

Tki#1. Changing The Way People Communicate – Introduction

Topics covered

Links

Tki#2. Changing The Way People Communicate – Tools And Techniques

Topics covered

Links

Executive Coaching

Rounded business expertise is a prerequisite for successful executive coaches today

Coaching

Executive coaching is one of the most effective ways of becoming the best you can be...

Resources

thought . knowledge . insight

Ideas List

Constant learning, continuous improvement. You are your best investment.

Read:

Why work is Weird: An Antidote to Frustrations of Corporate LifeBy Jerry Connor and Lee Sears

A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick FixBy Edwin H Freidman

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don'tBy Jim Collins

First Things FirstBy Stephen R Covey

Eat, Pray, LoveBy Elizabeth Gilbert

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership FableBy Patrick Lencioni

A Great Task of Happiness: The Life of Kathleen ScottBy Louisa Young

Think about:

Non-confrontational leadershipCreated by Marshall B Rosenberg - http://www.cnvc.org

Five positives every day

Listen to:

The Bach CantatasConducted by John Eliot Gardiner and performed by The Monteverdo Choir and The English Baroque Soloists

Communication

Effective business relationships are built on clear communications

Leadership

Quality leadership is critical in sustaining a successful organisation...

Constant learning, continuous improvement.
You are your best investment.

Why work is Weird: An Antidote to Frustrations of Corporate Life
By Jerry Connor and Lee Sears

A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix
By Edwin H Freidman

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
By Jim Collins

First Things First
By Stephen R Covey

Eat, Pray, Love
By Elizabeth Gilbert

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
By Patrick Lencioni

A Great Task of Happiness: The Life of Kathleen Scott
By Louisa Young

Non-confrontational leadership
Created by Marshall B Rosenberg - http://www.cnvc.org

The Bach Cantatas
Conducted by John Eliot Gardiner and performed by The Monteverdo Choir and The English Baroque Soloists

Quality leadership is critical
in sustaining a successful organisation...