Posts by cfradmin
The Transformative Power of Coaching Conversations
Coaching conversations are transformative and can completely change how people think and act. In fact, one of our recent coaching clients did just that. Rosa, an assistant principal, was charged by her principal to get their school’s bilingual teacher, Ed, to show up on time for work every day. Ed’s personnel file was overflowing with…
Read MoreAdvice is Toxic!
Advice is toxic! That is what we teach in our seminars. But this is a really hard habit to break! Our colleagues and friends often ask us for our opinions and advice. Our teachers expect us to advise them about what to do in those challenging situations they face. We are chosen for leadership because…
Read MoreOur Obligation as Coaches to Ask Our Clients Powerful Questions
In his book “Community: The Structure of Belonging”, Peter Block describes the work of Kathie Dannenmiller, an innovator in bringing large groups of people together to create visions, build strategies and create directions for institutions and community. Dannenmiller knew that “the questions with the most power were the ones that touched the heart and spoke…
Read MoreBe Renewed Daily Through Reflective Thinking – Part 1
Thomas Moore, in Care of the Soul, writes a captivating story about a respected Albanian, Nuri Bey, and his much younger wife. Mr. Bey’s wife questions him concerning the hidden secrets of a mysterious chest which has been in his family for generations. Conflict arises as a result of his wife’s curiosity. She wants to…
Read MoreBe Renewed Daily Through Reflective Thinking – Part 2
Emotions are instigators of action. Depending on what triggers an individual, emotions can cause quick reactions. Reactions are deeply engrained habitual responses. Douglas Reeves and Elle Allison in Renewal Coaching (2009) describe this trigger chain reaction as due to the structure of the brain. The thalamus is a traffic controller which will directly send information…
Read MoreBe Renewed Daily Through Reflective Thinking – Part 2
Emotions are instigators of action. Depending on what triggers an individual, emotions can cause quick reactions. Reactions are deeply ingrained habitual responses. Douglas Reeves and Elle Allison in Renewal Coaching (2009) describe this trigger chain reaction as due to the physical structure of the brain. Renewal coaches ask clients to tune in to the emotional…
Read MoreResults Coaching – Strategies for Impacting Performance and Results
Recently I was visiting with a Superintendent about how he might continue to support his district leaders to achieve the ever increasing results while minimizing the frustration and over whelmed attitudes that can often be symptoms of high performing organizations. Because we know from neuroscience that pressure and stress often produces behaviors that are not…
Read MoreLearn to Manage Change or Be Overwhelmed By It
One thing is constant in 2011, and it is change. We are faced with a choice, learn to manage change or be overwhelmed by it. School leaders are not immune from this phenomenon. You are constantly being charged with leading all students and staff to perform at higher and higher levels. The future of our…
Read MoreDrive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
In his book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, Daniel Pink examines the science of motivation. In April 2010, he shared his findings with the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). Launching the following link will enable you to view that presentation. Coaching For Results believes the leader…
Read MoreTwo Types of Leaders – Diminishers & Multipliers
This week I attended a networking session where the book Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter was critiqued. I was so intrigued by the content of this book, I have already downloaded it to my iPad. The authors, Liz Wiseman and Greg McKeown, present two types of leaders in their book: diminishers—those leaders…
Read More