Posts by Frances Shuster, PCC, M. Ed.
Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Outstanding Leadership
Emotional Intelligence is a primary differentiator between good leadership and outstanding leadership. Trying times highlight this difference as leaders are called upon to bring their very best selves to each interaction and decision. As life conditions change or create new life and work challenges, individuals who are able to flex with the changes are the…
Read MoreConnection During Isolation
A recurring theme for the past few weeks is that we humans are wired for connection. The neuroscience is clear. We need each other. We need to be in connection. In times of “social distancing”, this need is crying out to us. Some of my coaching colleagues are wishing for a different description—Physical Distancing—which has…
Read MoreThe Three R’s for Uncertain Times: Resilience, Rational Thinking, Responsiveness
As we navigate these uncertain times, we are faced with situations, circumstances, emotions, and decisions that are completely new and without a clear path forward. The path unfolds on a daily, if not hourly basis. Who is better equipped to lead during these uncertain times than coach leaders? Coach leaders have the confidence and courage…
Read MoreCoach-like Responses in Times of Great Uncertainty
As coaches, we must ground ourselves in order to be of greatest support to our clients and those we lead. Our awareness that emotions often drive responses and decisions calls on us to acknowledge and name our own emotions. Once we have done so, we are more able to move toward a more rational thinking…
Read MoreNotes from Converge 2019
I was privileged to attend the ICF (International Coach Federation) Converge 2019 in late October. Nearly 1,000 coaches representing 70 countries attended this learning and celebration of the global coaching community. Currently, ICF is the world’s largest organization of professionally trained coaches and the leading voice for the global coaching community. The vision of the…
Read MoreLook to CASTLE for Inspiring Leadership
“Inspiring leadership is about building great, deep, and inspiring—and loving—relationships, and the qualities required to do that are universal…”. Lance H.K. Secretan offers us the CASTLE Principle in his book, The Bellwether Effect: Stop Following, Start Inspiring. One of the key ideas in Secretan’s work is the distinction between motivation and inspiration. He describes motivation…
Read MoreTo Be or Not to Be…A Credentialed Coach
In light of the recent college admissions scandal, the importance of knowing the background of your “coach” and the credibility of training, experience, and ethics looms large in our collective awareness. William “Rick” Singer, who actively worked on “coaching” students about their college applications and worked with parents who were stressed about the admissions process…
Read MoreHumility vs. Hubris
Results Coaching Global faculty instructors and coaches had a strong presence at the 2019 Learning Forward conference held in Dallas earlier this month. As we presented, coached and had casual conversations with others during this learner-focused conference, we continued to receive push back on the idea that “advice is toxic”. People embrace coaching—to a certain…
Read MoreHumble Inquiry in a Time of Gratitude, Giving, and New Beginnings
What an exciting confluence of holidays for personal reflection! During the Thanksgiving season, our focus was on reflections of gratitude. For the Christmas/Hanukah/winter holiday season, our focus moves to planning, purchasing, and creating gifts for others. For the New Year, our focus is two-fold—reflecting on prior successes and new learning and a forward look at creating our next…
Read MoreBatting Practice Before the Big Game
It’s here! The new beginning that has been so long in the planning, based on reflections of successes and things we wish had gone differently. Planning that is based on test scores, school and district ratings, perceptions, innovations, gaps, relationships, personal leadership goals, and numerous other factors. As you reflect on the ideas presented in…
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