Collaboration
What Comes Out in the Wash
Today, I ran into a young man in the laundromat who had a few days off from his regular job and had chosen to visit his parents. He told me that he had decided to paint some trim in his parents’ apartment and noted with surprise how effortless the painting was even though it had…
Read MorePutting the Function Back into Dysfunctional Teams
Recently a superintendent friend was complaining about how one school board member harped endlessly about nickel and dime expenses, ignoring the legitimate needs of students and staff. It was driving her crazy! How could she get this school board refocused on what was truly important for education? She had been reading The Five Dysfunctions of…
Read More10 Ways To Build Trust
One thing we know for sure – high levels of trust are necessary for high levels of performance! The research findings of Megan Tschannen-Moran clearly support this assertion. Coach leaders who have internalized this premise are intentional about employing trust-building strategies on a daily basis. Here are some ideas to get you started: Make relationships…
Read MoreThe Miracle and Exception Questions
Imagine this – you are talking with a colleague who is using the language of someone who is “stuck” or out of options for dealing with an issue or challenge. What should you do? Should you try to solve the issue or challenge for the person, or should you remain in a coach leader role and help…
Read MoreThe 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 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 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…
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