Coaching for Leaders

Latest Episodes:

161: How To Address Difficult Conversations, with Bonni Stachowiak Oct 06, 2014

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160: The 5-Step Strategy For Solving Problems, with Michael “Coop” Cooper Sep 29, 2014

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Michael “Coop” Cooper: Innovators + Influencers Do you feel like you are playing whack-a-mole, constantly putting out fires in your organization? Are others and you clear on the real reason for most problems? In this conversation, I welcome Michael “Coop” Cooper from Innovators + Influencers to share a 5-step strategy that will help you define problems so it’s clear what to do next. 1. Describe the situation There’s a lot of information in the situation that people don’t talk about. This does not have to take as long as most people think it does. 2. Draft a problem statement The problem we’re trying to solve is… Find the simplest statement possible. 3. Ask “Why is that a problem?” (REPEAT) Be aware of the thud factor and the pause. 4. Is this the real problem? Involve someone else 5. Is this problem worth solving? Will it save you time or money? Will it make your company/department more competitive/productive? Will this solution make your work or life easier in the long-run? Does this solution or solving this problem actually align with your company goals? “If I were given an hour to save the world, I’d spend 59 minutes defining the problem and one minute solving it.” -Albert Einstein Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

159: Success on Presentation Day, with David Sparks Sep 22, 2014

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David Sparks: Presentations David last appeared on episode #119 to help us get control of our email. Memorize the opening and the closing of your presentation Nail the beginning. Close strong. Utilize an effective remote A green laser shows better than a red one Keep the button options simple Dark the screen when you’re not referring to a slide Find one with an on/off switch David recommends the Kensington K72427AM Wireless Presenter* Tools to consider You need to learn to be self-sufficient Adapters Extension cord Duct tape Speakers for audio David’s final advice Think about your presentation as a story Your slides are not your script Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

158: How to Lead the Millennials, with Chip Espinoza Sep 15, 2014

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Chip Espinoza: Millennials at Work Who are the millennials? They were born between 1980-2002 range. These are many of our newer employees in organizations. “The millennials are the first generation that has not needed an authority figure to access information.” -Chip Espinoza There is a dynamic in the workforce of a generation that doesn’t know how to reach up working with a generation that doesn’t know how to reach down. The people with the most responsibility need to adapt first in an organization. -Chip Espinoza Ambiguity is the millennial kryptonite. -Chip Espinoza This generation is used to experiencing success and might not have run into failure much before. They also assume that everything is negotiable. Avoid getting caught up in defensiveness of a millennial who might be receiving positive feedback. Millennials are relationship oriented. Give feedback in a way that’s not formal. Maintain the strength of the relationship. Feedback must be timely. Have a conversation with them instead of a conversation about them. Build a relationship with people! Practical Action Have a conversation and build a relationship. How to Start Coaching Someone (episode 2) provides a 4-step model for doing this Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

157: Why It’s Essential to Struggle with Learning Sep 08, 2014

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Do you find yourself struggling with changing your behavior? Real learning is hard, but keeps you from making the same mistake again. I wrote this article a few months ago: Sorry, I Don't Love Learning Have you seen this scene in the Matrix? I mentioned the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell* Practical Advice 1. Ensure that it’s something important for you to learn I mentioned the book Soar With Your Strengths by Donald Clifton and Paula Nelson* 2. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable “When you are tough on yourself, life is going to be infinitely easier on you.” -Zig Ziglar 3. Recognize that what you’ve been able to change your behavior on is really challenging for others “Every single time I get on a plane I’m really glad that the plane is not being flown by someone who just always loved planes.” -A teacher quoted in Building A Better Teacher by Elizabeth Green*. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

156: How to Stay Motivated, with Bonni Stachowiak Sep 01, 2014

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Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed Bonni is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, she was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. Bonni is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*. Question from Gabriel I recommended episode #144: How We Do Things Around Here To Get Results Question from Torrey I would like to know if you have a group on book reads or know of any groups I can join to get advice about good reading for leadership? For example which of Peter Drucker's books should I read? Subscribe to Coaching for Leaders weekly update for a reader's guide to the 10 Leadership Books That Will Help You Get Better Results From Others Check out Dave's personal reading library on GoodReeds Dave recommended Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute* Dave and Bonni recommended The Essential Drucker by Peter Drucker* Bonni recommended The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz* Bonni recommended The Empowered Manager by Peter Block* Bonni recommended Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen and Roger Fisher* Bonni recommended The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge* Question from Busakorn I was wondering if you could advise a great book for selling skills? Bonni recommended Let’s Get Real or Let’s Not Play by Mahan Khalsa and Randy Illig Bonni recommended SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham* Question from Torrey I would like the partners to be motivated enough to complete their reporting and liquidations with a concern for quality and timing, and not have to constantly ask and remind them. I want them to WANT to complete their reporting and do a good job, but right now they do not seem too concerned about it. How can we motivate them to improve their performance? What's the “why” behind the “what?” On The Folly Of Rewarding A While Hoping For B by Steven Kerr Question from Anonymous I had decided a few weeks ago that my time with my company has expired and it was the moment to move on. I have a second interview coming and while the change scares me, I think it's needed. My health and marriage are affected so change should be good. My reason for leaving is because of people and I cannot figure out a way to deliver the message without sounding whiny. I don't want to burn any bridges at all but I also need to be firm and not allow my boss to convince me to stay. Do you have suggestions? - Bonni recommended Michael Hyatt's podcast on 7 Actions To Take Before You Quit Your Job Question from Armando Be intentional about what goes in and surround yourself with people who bring life to you Give yourself grace! Dave recommended episode #85: Ten Ways to Pick Yourself Up When You’re Beaten Down Dave's past article One Interaction That Enhances Performance In The Best Employees might be a helpful idea as well “If you act enthusiastic you’ll be enthusiastic.” -Dale Carnegie Question from Paola As a very structured person I am quite good organized when it comes to clear and specific tasks. But to be honest I feel kind of lost when I have to do projects or strategic work with no clear way, structure or tasks. Can you provide some ideas on that? Dave recommended Basecamp for project management - Dave uses and recommends MindNode (Mac*) (iPhone and iPad*) for mind mapping - Bonni’s question to stakeholders: “When this is done, what will success look like?” Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

155: Three Strategies to Build Talent in Your Organization, with Mark Allen Aug 25, 2014

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Mark Allen: Aha Moments In Talent Management Mark Allen is a professor at Pepperdine University and author of The Corporate University Handbook* and The Next Generation of Corporate Universities*. He just released his newest book, Aha Moments in Talent Management*. In this conversation, Mark and Dave discuss practical strategies that you can use to develop talent in your organization. Key Points “Having better people is the best source of competitive advantage, so attracting top talent is a top priority. Be willing to do whatever it takes to bring in top talent. Do not let your own policies prevent you from hiring exceptional people.” -Mark Allen Ask for the rationale for why rules are in place that are preventing talent acquisition “The job of manager requires specific skills and abilities. Promotion should be based on the ability to do the next job, not performance in the current job. Good performance should be rewarded appropriately, but promotion should not be a reward for past performance.” -Mark Allen Check out Google’s Quest to Build A Better Boss to learn more about Project Oxygen. “If you’re going to treat training and development as an investment, then you must be able to demonstrate a return on that investment. That means that every program should be designed to deliver a specific business result and should be held accountable for achieving that result.” -Mark Allen Mark referenced Donald Kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation “60-90% of everything that people learn in a training program never gets used on the job.” -Mark Allen “Begin with the end in mind.” -Stephen Covey Ask these two questions when planning your next talent development program: How will this improve at least one key business result? How will you measure it? Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

154: Eight Ways to Use Power for Good Aug 18, 2014

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Dave Stachowiak: Eight Types of Power A brief word from Power vs. Force* by David Hawkins In 1959, French & Raven identified several types of power in their research: 1. Reward power Giving something of value 2. Expert power Knowledge, competence, and experience 3. Referent power Personality and charisma to influence others 4. Legitimate We have the legitimate right to command given our position in the organization In 1975, Raven & Kruglanski added to the list... 5. Connection power Access to powerful people and organizations 6. Information power Access to information that other parties don’t have In 1989, Liberatore et al. added... 7. Group decision-making power The decisions an entire organization gets behind Finally, in 1991, Yukl & Falbe identified... 8. Persuasive power The ability to influence through logic and dialogue A brief word about force Coercive “power” is also cited in the research This is the force against will - to threaten punishment and deliver penalty Effective leaders have two directives when considering force: 1. Use it only as a last resort 2. To be certain, at least beyond a reasonable doubt, that it’s justified Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

153: Where to Start with Succession Planning, with Bill Bliss Aug 11, 2014

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Bill Bliss: Success In the C-Suite Bill last appeared on episode #118: What's The Difference Between Management and Leadership Myths and stopping points of succession planning The organization is only mine (I own it) The organization is too small I don’t know how to create a plan In reality, a lot of people just don’t want to make the hard decisions. Succession planning strategies and principles: 1. Development of leaders requires an investment of time and money Look at where the company needs to be five years from now - that’s where the discussion starts Then determine the competencies that will need to be ready at that time “The number one role of any leader is to identify and prepare their successor.” -Bill Bliss 2. Successful leadership development is a multi-faceted approach Bill mentioned the Center for Creative Leadership as a resource Mentorship is valuable for some organizations, as is experiential leadership Coaching is also very valuable for individuals 3. Backup succession plans are a necessity, not a luxury Don’t place all your eggs in one basket 4. Legacy leaders must learn to completely let go Develop interests outside of the organization if you are leading and plan to leave 5. Leaders willingly subordinate their own pride and ego for the sake of the success of the organization Step one: where is the organization going to be 3-5 years from now? “Begin with the end in mind.” -Stephen Covey Practical Action What action are you taking on your 3-5 year action plan? Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

152: Where Are You Going in Your Career, with Bonni Stachowiak Aug 04, 2014

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Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed Bonni is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, she was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. Bonni is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*. Bonni mentioned the This American Life show titled Trends With Benefits, citing a disability story from Hale County, Alabama. Question from Aaron During a one-on-one meeting my boss asked me where I wanted to go in my career, and I didn't have an answer for him. More concerning was that I didn't have an answer for myself. He recommended that I have a five year plan, and he gave me a few ideas to considers. With so many paths - both inside and outside my company - where do I begin? Your 90th birthday party Your ideal day or week What Color Is Your Parachute* by Richard N. Bolles Question from Birger “'After observing O Sensei, the founder of Aikido, sparring with an accomplished fighter, a young student said to the master, 'You never lose your balance. What is your secret?' 'You are wrong,” Ōsensei replied. 'I am constantly losing my balance. My skill lies in my ability to regain it.'” Also see Coaching for Leaders episode #123 with John Corcoran Question from Mike I have started to set expectations and coaching within role, but I am finding it very difficult to get any engagement with anything I do. It feels like I am the outsider and they would quite like to leave it that way. I have looked for quick wins and found a few but again they seems to be disengagement, a different perspective may be good. What your thoughts? Leading Change* by John Kotter Five Dysfunctions of a Team* by Patrick Lencioni Question from Danielle I just started my job and am really excited to hit the ground running with a lot of on-going projects. One theme in particular that is highly important and consistent in my current assignments is the concept of Customer Retention Strategy. I just need to know (1) In your personal/professional experience, have there been any particular practices or techniques you have implemented that have proven successful and (2) are there any resources/materials you may suggest that would prove useful for my research? (e.g. books, articles, videos) Fish!* by Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen Net Promoter Community Crush It!* by Gary Vaynerchuk The Lean Startup* by Eric Ries Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

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