Posts by Vicky Dearing, MCC, M. Ed.
Connecting to Your Client
This month we’re centered on three important behaviors of a coach as she meets with her client in a coaching conversation, virtually or in person. Earlier, we considered important ways for a coach to prepare for a coaching conversation. Today, let’s zoom in on an important way to be in the coaching conversation. It begins…
Read MoreConverging: Three Ways to Prepare for the Conversation
When coaching another person, be it a colleague or a client, all committed coaches desire to provide a safe and confidential space, some may even call it sacred, where the coach and the client join together in an open and honest manner, free of outside distractions, and ready to be different as a result of…
Read MoreProductive Conflict – Essential for High Functioning Teams
Very few people would say, “I’d like to have more conflict in my life, please.” Additionally, few teams would request additional conflict between and among members. Yet, as Patrick Lencioni author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (2002) says, “All great relationships, the ones that last over time, require productive conflict in order to…
Read MoreTrust and Vulnerability Go Hand-In-Hand for Success
If you have ever participated in a “trust fall” you have a very good understanding of how trust and vulnerability go hand-in-hand. Having experienced this sensation, I can personally attest to the accuracy of the statement. You climb up about six feet and have people, some smaller in size than you say, “Come on! We’ve…
Read MoreIt’s a New Year for a Fresh Start
Welcome to 2019! What would make this the best year yet for you? Since a major responsibility for you and all leaders is to continue to inspire and motivate others to achieve extraordinary results, you may very well be thinking about fresh ways or ideas to influence and support a positive work culture, where people…
Read MoreAll Hands Involved In Building A Culture of Coaching
This month, each of our articles has centered on the importance of work cultures that are people-centered and committed to ongoing growth and development. Just as the picture shows, building and sustaining culture is a team-based approach. In other words, it takes all hands working together to reach the results we all desire in the…
Read MoreConversation Components That Matter
Every school leader wants to hold conversations that matter. They know this is not something you enter into lightly. It takes thoughtful preparation. This is why we spent a whole chapter in our new book on The Power of Conversations (Results Coaching Next Steps, 2017) and other chapters on the mindset and behaviors of a…
Read MoreA Coach Leader Mindset that Matters
Carol Dweck made a permanent impression on educators when she brought us the concept of growth and fixed mindsets. She challenged us to consider our viewpoint and belief about intellect and learning. Is the ability to learn fixed deep within the human psyche and “just is” or can people actually grow in what they learn…
Read MoreFollow-Up that Matters
The end-of-year conversations are now complete. You have sent your required paperwork to the HR Department. And yet – there are possible follow-up steps that significantly matter and that you want to be sure to include before the school year concludes and you place all your energy on the upcoming school year. As we continue…
Read MoreLet’s Grow Together!
If we had a special thermometer equipped to measure the level of the culture at your school, your district, or the place where you work, how high would the mercury rise? At its highest level of measurement, we would see and hear staff members working and talking together based on clearly defined beliefs, values and…
Read More