The DISC assessment, or DISC Profile and Dimensions of Behavior, provides a way of understanding yourself and others better.

As a coaching tool, I use the D.I.S.C. model to develop organizational, business and employee competences in the areas of:

• Communication / Employee Conflict Management
• Teamwork / Team Building
• Diversity Training
• Leadership /Management
• Productivity
• Managing / Coaching / Mentoring
• Customer Relations / Sales
• Stress / Change / Transition

People’s behaviors tell us their story. If we watch and listen carefully we can learn to “read” the story as it is being told. This skill allows us to see and know the intricate details that individually define each person.

It’s through the discovery of each person’s story and listening to the why, what, and how they see their world that we begin to develop a true understanding of who they are and why they behave the way they do. It also conveys how they want us to interact with them.

As you think about your work colleagues, family, or friends, you may begin to notice some are more comfortable dealing with facts and others are more influenced by feelings.

• Some are assertive and direct, while others tend to be more indirect and reserved, more active or passive, more extroverted or introverted.
• On another level, people make decisions at a difference pace.
• For some, decisions are made in a split second while others prefer to work and make decisions more slowly.
• Some prefer to talk, others to listen.

Such telltale behaviors can be clearly identified and are readily observable. It means if we watch and listen, we can better understand others and easily work out how to communicate in a way that our story or message will be heard, interpreted, and understood.

The secret … use the same behavioral and communications preferences as those we are interacting with.

A simple and effective way to choose the right behavior is by using the DISC assessment tool. This behavioral analysis system was designed by psychologist Dr William Marden in the 1920s, and today is used by leading companies and businesses throughout the world. It has a proven track-record for delivering immediate results, especially in business and work environments where people join together to achieve a common goal.

The power of DISC is in its simplicity to use and understand. It is effective because it creates a platform for shared understanding of the four distinct behavioral styles shared by everyone.

DISC enables us to quickly assess and identify the common traits associated with each type and to more accurately know and predict how people behave. This understanding means everyone can quickly identify a behavioral type and communicate in a way that ensures they are clearly understood.

Clear communication to create shared understanding is the key to great relationships and consistently achieving your goals.

Leveraging Human Capital
Talent is a combination of many factors, one of which is behavior. When managing the performance of others, an in-depth understanding of their behavioral patterns and preferences is priceless.

Important questions:

• Are you looking for an edge to improve your ability to connect with potential customers or clients and closing more sells?
• Do you have a hard time communicating with some team members and not others?
• Is there too much bad conflict in your organization and not enough good conflict?
• Do you have team members who are unengaged and lack a connection with their job?

If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, you can benefit from a better understanding of the behaviors of your team members.

Computers Have Manuals – Why Not People?

The key to successful people management and personal growth is knowledge of what is unique about each person’s talents.

With the knowledge provided by our DISC personality profile reports, people can be effectively coached in maximizing their strengths to achieve the organization’s goals. Apply the results of the DISC report to create improved morale, increased productivity, personal development plans, and win-win situations for both staff and managers throughout the organization.

Our Behavioral Reports are easily created through the completion of a 24-question, online instrument named TTI’s Style Insights®. This highly validated DISC assessment is available on the Internet for authorized respondents to access.

Click here to view a sample list of DISC profile reports.

Disc assessment reports can become an extremely valuable contribution to talent management throughout an organization.

Its insights and versatility make it ideal for multiple applications, such as:

Communication Style Workshop – Gain an in-depth understanding of your own personal communication style. This workshop can also help to identify the communication styles of those you work with. With this knowledge members of your organization can learn to adapt their communication styles to most effectively communicate with each other and accomplish extraordinary results.

Behavioral Sales Training – when you know the behaviors patterns of a sales prospect you can better tailor your sales presentation to effectively communicate and persuade a prospect.

Employee Development and Performance Plans – Identify important personal development priorities with existing employees to maximize their ongoing contributions and identifying their potential for advancement.

Retention Strategies for Key Employee – Set an effective strategy for retention of key employees through making an effort to recognize their unique strengths and build individual career plans with them. Often, this is the key to gaining commitment to your organization.

Coaching and Mentoring Top Talent – Produce a practical working plan for leading both employees and managers to more effective working relationships and improved results.

Conflict Resolution – Create an objective framework for addressing behavioral conflict in the organization to the benefit of everyone.

Improved Communications and Change Management – Facilitate company mergers and reorganizations through improved communications resulting from the knowledge of human behavior and its contribution to successful change.

What is Your Company’s Human Capital Management Strategy for Success?

Use the DISC assessment as part of your organization’s strategy for laying the groundwork to meet today’s growing business challenges!

Free Downloads (PDF):
• Jane Doe Sales Representative
• Jeff Doe Communicating With Style
• Joan Doe Management-Staff Insights
• John Doe Employee Manager Report
• John Doe Executive Success Insights

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PIA&V

Personal Interests, Attitudes and Values™

The WHY of your Actions

What is it that causes you to move into action? What are the drivers of your behavior? What activities, careers and conversations inspire a “passion” within you, causing you to want to become involved? The Personal Interests,

Attitudes and Values Assessment measures the WHY of your actions, leading to an understanding of what drives your behavior and the attitudes that move you into action.

What is an Attitude?

In 1928, Eduard Spranger wrote a book entitled “Types of Men.” He identified six attitudes or world-views. These attitudes are a type of window through which we view the world and seek fulfillment in our lives. If we are participating in a discussion, activity or career that is in line with our attitudes, we will value the experience.

Conversely, if we are in a conversation, activity or career that is against our dominant attitudes, we will be indifferent or even negative toward the experience, possibly causing stress.

The Six Attitudes

Theoretical: A passion to discover, systematize and analyze; a search for knowledge.

Utilitarian: A passion to gain return on investment of time, resources and money.

Aesthetic: A passion to experience the impressions of the world and achieve form and harmony in life; self actualization.

Social: A passion to eliminate hate and conflict in the world and to assist others in becoming all they can be.

Individualistic: A passion to achieve position and to use that position to affect and influence others.

Traditional: A passion to seek out and pursue the higher meaning in life and achieve a system for living.

The Assessment

The Personal Interests, Attitudes and Values Assessment measures your responses in each of the six attitudes. The computerized report shows each of the six attitudes compared to a National Average. You are provided with information on the WHY of your actions which, with application, can tremendously impact your valuing of life.

A New “Valuing” of Life

Once you know the attitudes that drive your actions, you will immediately be able to understand the causes of conflict. If you are in a career you are enjoying, or if you are finding little satisfaction in your career, you will understand why. You will understand and appreciate your relationships as you recognize the attitudes of other people. You will see how their attitudes might interact with your own.

Results/Benefits

The Personal Interests, Attitudes and Values Assessment allows you to take control of your decisions, your life and your valuing of life.

You will:

• Know the WHY of your actions. Make career choices that will increase your job satisfaction.
• Understand the causes of conflict.
• Develop an increased appreciation for the uniqueness of others.
• Appreciate the viewpoint of others who see life differently.
• Increase your “valuing” of life.
• Increase your satisfaction and fulfillment in life.

Free Download (PDF):
• Joan Doe PIA&V Sample

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Building a business is not easy. According to Michael Gerber, small business expert and renowned author of The Emyth Revisited (E standing for Entrepreneur):

• 1 million businesses are started in the USA each year.
• 40% of these businesses will fail within the first year.
• 80% will fail by Year 5.
• And only 4% will make it to Year 10!

Growing a successful business takes tremendous commitment, passion, desire, belief, focus and action. It takes a lot more than just being a great business owner. It requires that you have sales and marketing skills. It involves learning and implementing a practice-building system.

The Grow Your Business Mentoring Program gives you what you need. In my 6 Month Mentor Program you will join 7 to 8 like minded entrepreneurs to learn specific steps to get clients and build a thriving business. We are not kidding when we say that everything you need to know is right here. But YOU have to do the work.

My 6 month Program gives you what you need.  You will learn the proven step-by-step system to get more clients faster and create a thriving business.

An Overview of the Grow Your Business System

We want to give you a “snapshot” of this system so you can begin to “see and feel” how it all ties together.

The whole Grow Your Business Mastery Program system works best when you follow it in the linear step-by-step fashion in which it was designed. The Grow Your Business system contains 18 program sections. Following are the primary sections of the program:

• The Critical Foundation: Decide, Dream, Believe
• Determine Your Who & What (Target Market & Niche)
• Create Your How (Your Product or Service)
• The Marketing Train
• Master the Introduction Meeting
• Overcome Objections and Close the Sale
• How to Set Your Pricing or Fees

If you want to take immediate action today to double, triple or exponentially increase your revenue, contact us at rodger@rodgerblaker.com and lets get started on you creating the business and life style you deserve.

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Are you ready to create the business and life that you have imagined?
Are you willing to do what it takes to really grow your business for 90 days?

If so, we invite you to participate in the Grow Your Business 90-Day Challenge, a free, self-directed, 90 day program designed specifically to help you secure new clients and gain significant momentum in your business!

Have you fully, honestly, truly comprehended and realized what an amazing opportunity owning your own business is? At its pinnacle you are doing what you love and providing your skills and knowledge to those in need. Your clients are appreciative and grateful for your expertise, and you are in full control of your earnings. And, most importantly you have attained the satisfaction of knowing that you have provided your clients with the best service and/or products possible. You create your own schedule and chart your own course. You have the opportunity to go through life with two sets of eyes, learning for yourself and for your clients. You are your own boss and in control of your destiny.

Perhaps you are reading this and thinking, “That isn’t the way it is working for me! I am struggling. It seems that I spend all my time marketing, or at least thinking about it, procrastinating on it and stressing about it. I am only making $1,200 per month, not the $6k, $10k, even $20k+ per month that I want to make.”

Some of you may even feel a bit disenchanted. You feel you made the right decision to become self-employed because you know this is what you were meant to do, but you are also frustrated because people rarely talk about the realties of building your own business. Instead, you may have heard a lot about attraction, about “being vs. doing” and about all the positives of being a solopreneur.

In our work with solopreneurs since the year 2003, we have found that many people lack the business and marketing skills, as well as the mindset, necessary to build a successful business. Others know what to do, but fail to take the persistent, consistent action required to achieve success. Small business owners in this category often appear as if they are taking action. The problem is they often take the wrong action, keeping busy with whatever is easy or right in front of them, instead of focusing on the actions that generate results.

At Blaker Business Coaching, we are committed to doing what we can to change this! The 90 Day Challenge is specifically designed to help you focus on the proper areas, gain momentum and pave the way for future success.

What is the 90 Day Challenge?

The 90 Day Challenge is a free, 90 day program for those who want to increase the success and profitability of their business. It is beneficial for anyone who does not yet have the number of clients/customers that he/she desires. Whether you are functioning in your business on a part-time basis or you are into it full time, or you are somewhere in between, the 90 Day Challenge will help put your business on the road to success!

Sign Up Now!

You will receive the Free 48-page 90-Day Challenge Report and be subscribed to receive the Weekly Motivator.
As a special bonus you will also receive the Free Blaker Business Coaching “This Months Thought” Newsletter!

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Leadership Law #1:
Never delay a decision that must be made. Make your decision and move on. You may have to immediately make another decision. This doesn’t mean your first one was wrong. It merely means your second one had the benefit of additional knowledge.

Leadership Law #2:
When you want something specific done, say so specifically, using clear, plain language. Employees generally have some difficulty doing their basic jobs. Adding “mind-reading” to their description is just plain unfair. Do not use hints, implications, or innuendos. Say what you want and use plain English! Directness counts.

Leadership Law #3:
Never answer every employee’s every question. Questions are teaching moments – don’t rob employees of the opportunity. But don’t spend your whole time answering questions. When you always answer every employee’s every question, you’ll forever be answering your employee’s every question. This will leave you with no time to spend on areas that need your direct attention now. Sounds trite, but I don’t mean it to. If employees are asking because they’re stupid, get rid of them. If they are decent employees asking because they do not know, then teach them. They’ll know next time, and you’ll both be better for it.

Leadership Law #4:
Make your expectations clear, then back up a bit and give employees room to do their job. That doesn’t mean to never look back. To inspect what you expect isn’t micromanagement. It’s good management. Even your top performers need clear expectations. Give them a target. Provide resources and guidance. Remove obstacles when necessary. Then let them do their job. But don’t forget to check back later, since you still have management responsibilities.

Leadership Law #5:
Employees need their managers to be leaders. Your employees don’t need a shoulder. They don’t need a buddy. If you want a friend, buy a dog. We all struggle with this. Everyone wants to be liked, and it always seems difficult to decline a beer after work, or something similar. I’m not advocating a monk-like existence, disallowing any contact with your troops. I’m just merely reminding you that they would like to have a friend, but they need a leader if they are to be successful. You do want them to be successful, don’t you?

Closing Leadership Thoughts:
These leadership laws are fairly intuitive, and certainly not rocket science or brain surgery. They are simple management and leadership truths that have passed the test of time.

Delegation
There’s no question about it; delegation is difficult for most small business owners. No matter how big our business gets and how many employees we have, most of us started out as one person shops and we’re used to running all of our own show. But there’s also no question that delegation is a skill that’s critical to business success and a healthy work life balance. Even a one person business can get so busy that there’s no way a single person can do all that needs to be done. And even the smallest of small businesses can take over a person’s life to a degree that causes personal unhappiness and friction within the family.

So take a deep breath. You have to make delegation a priority if you’re going to do what you want to do and stay sane and happy. I recommend people delegate the tasks that don’t bring in the bucks. So a consultant, for instance, should outsource bookkeeping and accounting tasks. These aren’t how she makes her money. The purpose of delegation isn’t just to have someone else do something; it’s to free you to focus on using your talents and skills most productively. The big advantage, of course, is that if you delegate enough of the right things, you can be incredibly more productive.
And in terms of service businesses, that translates into a lot more available billing hours.

How to Get Started Delegating
Decide that you’re going to delegate. You need to admit that you can’t do all the things that you would like to do and stop just trying to do more yourself. Is there a particular area where you need help or something that you don’t like doing much? It could be a good candidate for delegation. Remember that you don’t want to delegate the core of your business (what brings in the bucks). You’ll also want to bear in mind that what you delegate doesn’t have to be a business task. Delegation is about doing less so you can achieve more and strike a better balance.

A small business owner may find that hiring a maid service to clean her house gives her more time to focus on her business, for instance. Find the people to delegate to. It’s fine to say you’re going to delegate something, but if you’re not going to do it, you need to find someone else that you can trust to get it done and do it well. Finding reliable people can take a bit of a search.

Start by asking your friends, family and other business people who they recommend to do what you need done. Finding the right people at the right time is just another reason that being a member of various small business groups is so invaluable. Don’t just “grab a name” and go with it, though. Research the potential candidate and check his credentials. Ask him for names of other clients that you can talk to, and then talk to them. If you’re looking for an accountant, make sure you have a good interview process developed to help you make the best choice.

Tips for Successful Delegation
Be as specific as possible about what you want done. It’s no good hiring someone, telling them you need some help around the office, and then complaining because they haven’t done what you wanted them to do. Or expecting an accountant to give you good advice when you haven’t bothered to sit down with him and talk about where your business is now and where you’d like to see it going. You have to be very clear about what you need done and how you want it done if the delegation is ever going to be successful.

Let the other person get on with it. We smile when we hear about the business person who goes on vacation for a week but phones the shop ten times a day every day she’s gone, but we’ve all been there. You have to realize that when you delegate something, it’s literally out of your hands and you need to avoid interfering with the process of getting it done. As hard as it is, wait for the end product before you judge how successful the delegation has been.

Do not delegate many tasks at once. In fact, if delegation makes you uncomfortable, you should start by delegating only one thing. Your delegation comfort level will build over time as you see the job you’ve assigned completed successfully. Then you’ll be ready to delegate something else.

Do not give up too quickly. My relationship with my first accountant was not a success. He was competent, but I didn’t feel that he was willing to give me enough of his attention. Rather than throw up my hands and start to do my own accounting again (or worse, putting up with a relationship I was not happy with), I went and found another accountant that I’m much happier with.

When you’re trying to delegate, you’re not necessarily going to find the right person the first time. But you need to persist and find that right person if delegating that task is going to work. Delegation goes against the grain for many small business owners. But if we want both our businesses and our personal lives to thrive, delegation is a skill we have to master.

How’s Your Charisma?
A Charismatic leader is one who provides an environment full of energy and positive reinforcement. If you are naturally charismatic, you are very fortunate! This is a trait that is not so easily learned. Charismatic leaders inspire others and encourage them to be their best. Employees and group members want to impress a charismatic leader, so they work hard and strive to succeed.

Pitfalls of Charismatic Leadership:
Under charismatic leadership, group members may view success in relation to their leaders. A major problem with charismatic leadership is that group success tends to hinge on the leader. The charismatic leader is the glue that holds a group together.

So what happens if the leader should have to step down or transfer?

Normally, the group dynamic will fizzle and individual members will lose enthusiasm. When Is Charismatic Leadership Most Useful? Charismatic leadership is great for short-term projects. As long as you are working on a task that can be completed in a semester, you don’t have to worry so much about your group falling apart with the loss of leadership.

Charismatic leaders are great for projects that require energy and talent. Drama assignments, writing assignments, sports-related tasks, art projects—these activities could be very successful when led by a charismatic person.

Can charisma be learned?

Charisma is a special quality that people possess that serves as a magnet, of sorts, but it is really made up of many traits. One of the most important elements is self-confidence. People who appear confident instill confidence in those around them. Another element of charisma is great communication ability—and that starts with a strong and effective vocabulary. It would be a great idea to build upon those elements to make you as charismatic as possible!

Secrets of Leadership Success

Leadership is about making things happen. If you want to make something happen with your life – in school, in your profession or in your community, do it. However, persistence for your cause should not be gained at the expense of others. Listen and understand the issue, then lead. Time and time again we have all been told, “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason”… or as Stephen Covey said, “Seek to understand, rather than be understood.” Answer the three questions everyone within your organization wants answers to. What the people of an organization want from their leaders are answers to the following:

• Where are we going?
• How are we going to get there?
• What is my role?

Master the goals that will allow you to work anywhere in today’s dynamic business world.

Debbe Kennedy, President, CEO and Founder of Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies, and author of Action Dialogues and Breakthrough, once shared this piece of advice that was instrumental in shaping her direction, future and achievements.

She was a young manager at IBM and had just been promoted to her first staff assignment in a regional marketing office. For reasons she can’t explain, one of her colleagues named Bookie called her into his office while she was visiting his location. He then began to offer unsolicited advice, but advice that now stays fresh in her mind. He mentioned that jobs, missions, titles and organizations would come and go as business is dynamic – meaning it is always changing. He advised her not to focus her goals toward any of these, but instead to master the skills that would allow her to work anywhere.

He was talking about four skills:

• The ability to develop an idea.
• The ability to effectively plan for its implementation.
• The ability to execute second-to-none.
• The ability to achieve superior results time after time.

With this in mind, Kennedy advises readers to seek jobs and opportunities with this in mind. Forget what others do. Work to be known for delivering excellence. It speaks for itself and it opens doors.

Be curious. Curiosity is a prerequisite to continuous improvement and even excellence. Listen to both sides of the argument. Listening only to those who share your background and opinions can be imprudent. It is important to respect your neighbors’ rights to their own views. Listening to and talking with a variety of people, from professors to police officers, from senior citizens to school children, is essential not only to be a good leader in business, but to also be a valuable member within your community.

Prepare, prepare, prepare. If you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail. If one has truly prepared and something goes wrong, the strength of the rest of what you’ve prepared for usually makes this something easier to handle without crisis and panic. Great advice comes from many sources – parents, other relatives, consultants, bosses, co-workers, mentors, teachers, coaches, and friends. The important point to remember is to stay open, listen to everyone, but also develop your own leadership style.

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The simple answer is, “You’re not!”

This is going to really hurt, but if we are constantly putting out fires, we have our own selves to blame. I know this seems pretty harsh, but let’s take a look at some simple truths about human behavior that makes this statement true.

If someone comes to us with a conflict or a problem, and we solve it for that person, we will probably feel really good about ourselves. We’ll feel like we’ve done our job. However, the next time the same person has a problem or a conflict, what have we trained the person to do? That’s right. Come to us to solve it. Our job as managers and leaders is not to solve problems and put out fires. Our job is to build the self-confidence and self-esteem of our employees so they can solve the problems on their own.

Instead of spending time solving their problems for them, try asking questions and getting their opinions so they gain confidence coming up with solutions on their own. More often than not, they will surprise you with as good an answer as you would have given – sometimes even better. There may be times when you might even want to let them make small mistakes. People learn from their mistakes very quickly.

As your direct reports begin to solve problems on their own, their confidence in these areas will grow. This process is just one of many that can help us build strong leaders around us. I’ve come across a number of principles that have helped successful leaders and managers build strong people around them.

The following is a summary of 7 of the most effective principles:

1. Establish solid trust before offering advice.
2. Keep promises… even small ones. Character is much easier kept than recovered.
3. Be enthusiastic about the success of others. Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.
4. Recognize the potential in others and help them achieve it.
5. Catch people doing things right.
6. Praise the baby steps.
7. Go out of your way for people.

Bonus Principle:
Always give something extra. Under promise; over deliver.

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“Great Man” Theories:

Great Man theories assume the capacity for leadership is inherent – that great leaders are born, not made. These theories often portray great leaders as heroic, mythic, and destined to rise to leadership when needed. The term “Great Man” was used because, at the time, leadership was thought of primarily as a male quality, especially in terms of military leadership.

Trait Theories:

Similar in some ways to “Great Man” theories, trait theory assumes people inherit certain qualities and traits that make them better suited to leadership.

Trait theories often identify particular personality or behavioral characteristics shared by leaders. But if particular traits are key features of leadership, how do we explain people who possess those qualities but are not leaders? This question is one of the difficulties in using trait theories to explain leadership.

Contingency Theories:

Contingency theories of leadership focus on particular variables related to the environment that might determine which particular style of leadership is best suited for the situation. According to this theory, no leadership style is best in all situations. Success depends upon a number of variables, including the leadership style, qualities of the followers, and aspects of the situation.

Situational Theories:
Situational theories propose that leaders choose the best course of action based upon situational variable. Different styles of leadership may be more appropriate for certain types of decision-making.

Behavioral Theories:
Behavioral theories of leadership are based upon the belief that great leaders are made, not born. Rooted in behaviorism, this leadership theory focuses on the actions of leaders, not on mental qualities or internal states. According to this theory, people can learn to become leaders through teaching and observation.

Participative Theories:

Participative leadership theories suggest the ideal leadership style is one that takes the input of others into account. These leaders encourage participation and contributions from group members and help group members feel more relevant and committed to the decision-making process. In participative theories, however, the leader retains the right to allow the input of others.

Management Theories:

Management theories (also known as “Transactional theories”) focus on the role of supervision, organization, and group performance. These theories base leadership on a system of reward and punishment. Managerial theories are often used in business; when employees are successful, they are rewarded; when they fail, they are reprimanded or punished.

Relationship Theories:

Relationship theories (also known as “Transformational theories”) focus upon the connections formed between leaders and followers. These leaders motivate and inspire people by helping group members see the importance and higher good of the task. Transformational leaders are focused on the performance of group members, but also want each person to fulfill his or her potential. These leaders often have high ethical and moral standards.

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Coaching life transition isn’t difficult once a person grasps how their life would shift if they moved into what they feared rather than away from it. I know that may sound odd at first, but think about it.

What would happen if you moved into the future with controlled abandon?

One of the things I know from working with people for close to two decades and from my own development is that things change. And yet how many people say they hate change? If change is inevitable in growth, and you hate change, you have a bad equation for a good life.

One of the main reasons people hate change is that they are afraid of it.
Change implies you have to move into unknown territory.

Consider these two questions:

• Where does fear rule your life?
• What would you do, who would you be, where would you go, if your fear were merely a stepping-stone to more power?

If you are honest with yourself, you could list numerous areas of life you sidestep due to unchallenged fear. Think of the conversations you don’t have, the people you don’t let yourself meet, the business or life decisions you make… all designed to avoid fear. The thing most people are afraid of is the unknown – not knowing the outcome of an action, a relationship, or a decision. Most people gravitate to what they already know and then complain about how boring life is or how nothing ever really changes.
Many choose the same course of action repeatedly even though it has proven not to bring the results they crave. Fear is one of the major dynamics underlying these decisions.

Psychologically it means people reinforce an old identity formed by their past, even if that identity is painful. They were taught they couldn’t have what they want so they continue to live in accordance with that old belief, that old self-identity. Spiritually it means people don’t explore and open themselves to more of who they really are as beings. Economically it means people don’t take calculated and informed risks. Fear stifles exploration on many fronts.

But the truth about life is that it does change. Moment-to-moment, nature’s creativity is working. The planet is changing, life is evolving. And I believe there is an underlying dynamic in life that works to optimize each of us – if we allow ourselves to move out of our known sphere and experiment with our precious lives. We are designed for growth and Nature works with us in this movement. As the poet Rilke says, “What fights with us is so great.” To directly face our fears and challenge ourselves opens a well of creativity that can truly serve the development of our lives and our businesses.

The events of these last few years have underscored, for many, the fact that what we had previously counted on – the peace and security that we have come to expect – may not be as rock solid as assumed. Where in your life are you living in fear or terror?

For some its:

• The fear of building a new life after a major illness or loss.
• Risking the next level of growth in business – risking real success.
• Balking on the brink of a creative move out of your comfort zone.
• Remaining alone and isolated.
• Freezing in financial uncertainty.

Change brings us into unknown territory. The unknown is the underlying dynamic in all of the situations above. But what I have come to find is that Life is richer when we learn to walk into the unknown. When we learn to do this we build our personal power: the power to make change, the power to bring more of ourselves out into the world and into our work. This is the power needed in the future – the power to move safely into the unknown.
In order to solve the challenges in our lives and on the planet, we all need to learn to open to the unknown. For instance, fuel cell technology looks like a potential answer to the power struggle over fossil fuels. It will change the way we live. We have to be flexible to that change.

Sometimes the resolution to our personal and professional growth calls on us to really change our perspective, our lifestyle. It starts with honesty about what you want and what you need to change; it leads through the beliefs and ideas keeping the old in place, past the fear – into unknown territory.

This unknown can be rich, exhilarating and creative.

If you want to move forward in your life:

• Begin by choosing to challenge yourself in an area of your life you would like to see change.
• Notice what stops you from moving forward, anything that derails your commitment.
• Find the support needed to navigate the new territory: a trusted friend to talk to, resources to help you, a coach who can see the bigger picture and help you stay the course.

I love working in this space of the unknown with clients. Here I work with people to develop the tools and the intuitive skill they need to navigate through the unknown, not away from it. To frontier their futures and to creatively recognize the solutions they don’t see on their own. This is what is required to empower them so they can turn their fear into power. This is an evolutionary skill your future success and welfare demand and IT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN LEARN. I scout into the unknown with you and don’t abandon you there but work with you to develop all that is needed for you to safely navigate it yourself.

“Feel the truth of what you are and at the same moment act. Risk yourself for what you know is right and true.”

After the Layoff

One of the key areas in coaching life transition is helping people respond after they’ve been laid off.

After a layoff, you feel stunned. If you didn’t see it coming, you can get caught up in grieving over a job loss for some time. Even if you did see it coming, it still knocks the wind out of you. And it’s hard to regain your balance.

The best way to deal with a layoff is to develop a plan.
Here’s a good plan that will help you get back into a job that is right for you, one that will take you through any recession.

1ST – TAKE THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT YOUR BEST CAREER MATCH

Is the job you were just laid off from the best type of work to get back into?

To answer that, ask yourself: How did I really feel about my last job?
At some level, am I relieved to be out of it? If so, it’s pretty clear. That was not your ideal job. And you really don’t need another one like that.

Or did you love the work and now find yourself looking for ways to get back at doing it as soon as possible because you miss it so much? That’s a good sign you were in the right line of work. And it won’t be long before you find a similar job.

2ND – IDENTIFY YOUR UNIQUE ASSETS, ABILITIES, NEEDS AND MOTIVATIONS

To make sure you’re on the right track, make a list of your assets: your best skills and abilities.

It’s important to know yourself, when looking for work.
If you don’t know what your particular needs and motivations are, or what your assets are in terms of talents, gifts and abilities, then it’s time to find out.

How?

By asking yourself key questions like:

• What do I love to do?
• What am I really good at?
• What’s important for me to have in a job?

Think about what motivates you, what you’d do anyway, even if nobody paid you.What fascinates you, makes your heart sing? What do you do that causes you to lose track of time?

Can you really do what you love and get paid for it?

Yes! In fact the people who are most secure in their jobs are those who are doing what they love. They always find a way to make it work for them.

3RD – PICK THE ‘FIELD OF INTEREST’ WHERE YOU’D LOVE TO FIND A JOB

Once you’ve identified what you bring to a job, look for the ‘field’ or area of interest you’d like to work in.

Hint: When you go into a bookstore, what is the area you find yourself spending the most time in?

That’s a clue to an area that would definitely hold your interest. What kinds of jobs could you do in that field?

Sylvester gravitates towards the computer section. An hour browsing through his favorite computer magazines flies by. Looking into the Field of Computers might be a good place for him to start.

When you hear the news, what is it that always grabs your attention? What is it that you get emotional about?

Susan is always drawn to stories about abused children. Perhaps she has a heart for Social Work.

4th – DECIDE ON YOUR DREAM JOB

When you’ve found the ‘Field of Interest’ you’d love to work in, you’re not far from finding your Dream Job. Look around in your ‘Field of Interest’ at the Jobs that appeal to you. Pick a couple to research.

One other thing:

Now is the time to also think about what you really need to have in a job.
Is it a job that allows you independence, has a lot of variety, where you meet lots of people? Think about what your particular needs are. Write them down so you won’t forget them. You now know what direction to take.

5TH – CHOOSE THE BEST ROUTE TO PREPARE YOURSELF

After you’ve targeted your Dream Job, you only have to decide the best route to take to get to it:

• Can you get training on the job or
• do you have to go back to school?

YOUR LIFE PATH

Finding a job doing you love is really finding your life’s work, or what many like to call your ‘Life Purpose’. That’s what will energize you. That’s what you were born to do. That’s your gift to the world. And that’s what will bring in the money.

Why?

Because you’ll be good at it, and you’ll stick with it, no matter how long it takes. And as you get better at doing it, people will notice it and want to reward you.

If you’re grieving the loss of a job, and not quite sure what to do next, maybe it’s time to step back and take stock of a few things, before you get back out on the road again.

Successful Resume Writing

Successful resume writing is a key to coaching life transition. How many people enjoy writing a resume? Not many. And what about job interviewing?
Again, not many. Job interviews can make you feel uncomfortable because interviews are designed to treat you as if you’re a product that needs to be checked out, like the tire of a new car. Resume writing is tough because it serves as a marketing tool – - an advertisement of who you are. Through my survey of job seekers, the majority have clearly indicated the toughest part about job searching is writing a resume and interviewing. What if the hiring company or interviewer doesn’t buy what you’re marketing or selling?

Here are my top 5 tips for creating a “success story resume” and exuding confidence in the job interview:

1. When you create your resume, be sure to do research and find examples of resumes in your industry. What are key trends? How are others presenting themselves on paper? What is the most effective format to present your skills? Look for ways to further enhance your skills on paper.
2. Create a resume that showcases the RESULTS of your actions and achievements. Make your resume an exciting portrait of your capabilities, don’t just list your job description. Most interviewers want to know how your skills will transfer into their company and so you need to convey this clearly in your resume.
3. To increase your confidence in job interviews, recognize that the first impression is formed in the first few minutes of contact. This may seem unfair, but it is good information to know in advance. Your knowledge gives you power and a sense of control. The most important thing is to take a deep breath before you shake the interviewer’s hand. Relax, look the interviewer squarely in the eye, and smile. Your muscle memory will now kick in and make a mental note that you’re not in danger. The interviewer will be put at ease and your first impression will be professional and composed.
4. Check out your interviewer’s surroundings so you can find helpful cues and signs. Even if the interviewer has brought you to a generic conference room for the interview, he or she will still provide cues or signs to help you connect. What is the interviewer wearing? If you’re in the interviewer’s office, what pictures are on the desk? What certificates are on the wall? Look around as you are seated so you can begin to make that human connection with this person. Every job interviewer will provide you with keys to succeeding within the interview. If you check out their voice and behavior, you’ll begin to see a pattern that emerges. Your awareness of these physical cues will help you see this interviewer as simply an individual who wants to share a conversation with you.
5. Don’t leave without asking some questions. I’d recommend taking mental notes of a few things you hear during the interview so you can bring up a related comment or question at the end. Of course, you should also have prepared a few questions to ask prior to arriving. But be sure to double back to something the interviewer has said during the interview. In this way, you will be able to reinforce the connection which has been created.

Tips to Increase Career Potential

These are some tips I have found to be beneficial in helping others tap into more of their career potential. Some I have used personally, my clients have used others. Which tips you use are not important. What is important is consistently stepping out of your comfort zone in your career – for that is the only time you truly reach new heights. So as you read through these tips, choose 3-5 you believe would make the greatest impact on your career and life and go for it!

1. Ask a stranger to share the “story” of how they achieved career success – ideally someone in a career you are curious about exploring for yourself.
2. Volunteer for an organization you are passionate about – choose a role that would give you an opportunity to develop new skills.
3. Take a class on something different than your “norm”, something you would ordinarily pass up or say “I couldn’t possibly learn that”.
4. Learn a new skill – something you never thought was “you” – and see if you unearth some hidden talent.
5. Take a new approach – if you are usually quiet, initiate a conversation with a stranger. If you are usually talkative, get someone else talking without saying anything about you.
6. Become an observer for a day – watching how you act and interact in your current position – as if you were seeing yourself as a colleague sees you.
7. Ask for a new responsibility – one that will help you learn and grow in ways you aspire to.
8. Say no to something – a stretch for most of us!
9. Evaluate where you are too comfortable in your career and determine what would stretch you.
10. Refrain from negative self talk for a whole day – only positive thoughts and words.
11. Ask someone you admire to be your mentor and schedule time to meet with them regularly.
12. Change your behavior for a day – if you are always planned, try something spontaneous. If you always go with the flow, plan something specific this week.
13. Awaken your creativity – brainstorm wild and imaginative career possibilities for yourself.
14. Take the first step in starting that business you have been dreaming about.
15. Let go of identifying with a job title and look at the “you” underneath. What are you most passionate about doing and being?
16. Take a Vocation Vacation experience that thrusts you into your dream career.
17. Go for it – take a chance and create that program or develop your ideas instead of waiting or hoping you will be asked.
18. Challenge yourself to go farther in either how or what you are doing – imagine a coach or trainer egging you on.
19. Create your 20-year career vision – describe it in detail, including your role and environment.
20. Try on a different way of being. Type A personality? Slow your pace by half for a day. Type B personality? Choose one activity and speed your pace.

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You are probably one of those who have been laid off, or you are feeling antsy because you don’t know what’s going to happen to your job. You may be getting ready to throw in the towel and give up, but take a deep breath! Do not get too caught up into this doom and gloom frenzy.

If you still have a job, find some creative ways to make yourself indispensable. If you have lost your job, then now is the time to think about other career possibilities. Below are seven career survival tips. If you are able to apply just one of them to your current situation, then you will be positioning yourself for S.U.C.C.E.S.S.:

Stop those ANTs in their tracks. Psychiatrist Daniel G. Amen refers to these ANTs as those Automatic Negative Thoughts that fill our heads most of the time…the Automatic Negative Talks we engage in day-after-day with ourselves, and with those around us. The “I can’t find a job…I am not good enough…I am too old…I don’t have the experience…nobody ever gives me a break…they won’t hire me…they already have someone hand-picked for the position”. Do not feed into the negativity of the moment. Replace negative self-talks with positive and pragmatic conversations and, regardless of how things are going, try to maintain a state of positive expectation.

Understand that ‘this too shall pass’. Understand that there’s light at the end of this economic tunnel and that you have the resilience to bounce back.
It might be difficult at first, as you may be overwhelmed and blinded by tears at this point, but depressions and recessions have come and gone and we have survived. Sometimes these upheavals happen to spark our creativity and get us out of places where we have become too comfortable. Now may be a good time to start that small business you have been thinking about, or go back to college to earn that degree or diploma you have been putting off. Look at these challenges as opportunities.

Communicate your value and your brand. Review your talents and preferences; determine what you are good at and what people say you do well, because when it comes to your job search, or your desire for a promotion, your résumé, education and experience are not enough to influence the decision of a hiring manager. You need to communicate what you will bring to the table (your value) and how to package yourself in a way that will set you apart from others vying for the same position (your brand).
If you have a strong brand and you are able to articulate your value, you will attract employers, hiring managers and recruiters.

Commit to Change. It’s often said that change is the only constant and, right now, we are witnessing lots of changes. Don’t get stuck in the past and lament about what used to be, how things were done, and what used to happen ‘back home’. You have to be flexible, and learn to adapt and accommodate. One of the areas that many people are resisting change in is technology. If technology is a threat to your job, or if your job was eliminated because of it, get up to speed and embrace this change because it’s not going away. Take advantage of training programs sponsored by your company, look for opportunities to job-shadow a coworker, or seek out opportunities to volunteer. Volunteering does not have to be stuffing envelopes. There are many organizations looking for people with high-level skills to join committees or boards. Companies bent on showcasing themselves as good corporate citizens are giving their employees time during the workday to volunteer. Your next break could come via any of these routes.

Experience the Difference of having Experts on your Team. “No man (or woman) is an island… no man (or woman) stands alone”. You cannot achieve your goals without the help of others, so develop your own Mastermind alliance group that you can tap into for advice. These are experts whom you admire and who will hold you accountable to what you pledge to do. You should also develop, expand, and leverage your support network as these individuals will be valuable to you when you are faced with a layoff or when changing careers. Seek them out wherever they are – in or outside your company, and start now! Don’t wait until the layoff axe is hanging over your head. In leveraging your networks, remember that relationships take time to grow, so, build and nurture them at every opportunity, not only in your time of greatest need.

Spotlight your Assets. You may be feeling so overwhelmed that asking you to spotlight your assets might be too much of a stretch right now, but this is a good place to begin. It takes your mind away from what you believe are your liabilities. So learn to write things down. Keep a journal of your goals, special job achievements, awards and recognitions received, and comments made by your supervisor, coworkers or customers. These are your assets – documented evidence that validate your capabilities and they will come in handy when you are ready to discuss a career path or brush up your résumé.

Surround Yourself with Possibility Thinkers. Surround yourself with positive, uplifting, people – ‘possibility thinkers’; those who believe in themselves and in you. Possibility Thinkers encourage, inspire and motivate you to move forward and go after what it is you want. This is where the seemingly impossible becomes possible! This is when you must move away from the naysayers and energy drainers and advance towards those who constantly remind you that, “Yes, you can!”

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You need not be financially independent to experience a very high Quality of Life if you can nurture your inner spirit and allow the essence of who you are to fill up your life. Many people are turning to the benefits of having a personal coach assist them in making changes that bring more joy, fulfillment and success into their lives.

This process is about becoming more conscious of our real purpose and how to act on it. When we begin to live this way it enables us to contribute to others effortlessly; our lives become more and more joyful. Here are some very effective ways to create an exceptional Quality of Life.

Integration of life purpose, strengths and talents, and source of joy and passion. I believe everyone has a spiritual purpose in this life. We are born with, and cultivate through our life experiences, unique strengths and talents that can enhance the world in a special way. And we all have things that we love in life: people, activities, ideas that bring us joy. Everyone has a hidden or obvious passion.

I believe these three aspects are fundamentally interwoven:

• one’s spiritual purpose
• one’s talents, strengths and personal energy
• one’s loves, joys and passions

It is the integration of these three fundamentals that allows us to create a joyful and productive life, sustaining us through all of life’s experiences.

A holistic process involving mind, body and spirit. I believe when the mind, body and spirit are in harmony, we experience a greater Quality of Life. There is a synergy that occurs between one’s physical health, how one thinks, and one’s spiritual energy. Honoring and integrating these three areas of our lives allow us to access a powerful sense of well being, and life simply works much better! In my coaching work, I take into account all of these aspects.

We collect things in our lives that over time no longer fit, which actually become constraints. Over time, and in response to the modern society we live in, people collect lots of things:

• belongings
• papers
• habits and ideas
• sources of stress

This collection may or may not support our life purpose, gift and joy.
We often outgrow things. We wake up one day and find our lives full of things that no longer fit. What was once a source of joy may now have become a constraint. Our spirit doesn’t have room to dance because of all this outgrown “stuff”. But we don’t know how to clean house, how to see what our spirit really wants and needs to feel free. So often we think it’s about other things. If we weren’t in this or that relationship, we’d be free. If we weren’t in this job anymore, or if we lived somewhere else, we’d be free. So we might make some radical changes….only to discover that wasn’t what we needed after all. We are ultimately the only ones who can be conscious of, and responsible for, our spirit’s joy and freedom.

Taking inventory of what fits and what no longer fits. In my coaching work we make a systematic examination of what is currently in one’s life: belongings, habits, ideas, internal conversations, job, relationship, goals and dreams. I help my clients take inventory to clearly determine what they no longer want, and then what IS important and valuable in their lives. This inventory part of the coaching process creates an opening for taking action.

The importance of our internal conversations. My work is very conversation oriented. People take action based on their beliefs and self-image. This is like the “software” that is running the show. I work to help bring those internal conversations to the surface: to the conscious level, so one can then choose and commit to beliefs that serve one’s spirit.

Letting go of whatever no longer fits in our lives. Action is taken to eliminate what is no longer a fit. The process of letting go is often the most difficult part. Sometimes we have to let go before we know what’s coming next. Often the letting go even causes a kind of grief. But this letting go is absolutely essential in order to move on to the next step.
Our spirits have a very tough time becoming free when our lives are full of pressure and stress.

Creating more of what we love and want; of what makes us joyful. When we have made space in our lives and have learned to let go of what no longer serves us, then it is much easier to create and attract things into our lives that bring us joy. A crucial step is to become conscious of all we already have; of the preciousness of our lives at the present moment. Of how grateful we can be for all we do have. Now we can more easily take action to achieve what we truly want, because we are now in harmony with the universe and working WITH it, not against it.

Become action oriented. Here is a sampling of some of the things I help my clients take action with in our coaching work:

• Taking an inventory of all their “shoulds”….all those things they feel they must do out of duty, obligation, means to an end, etc. We turn “shoulds” into action and results.
• Learning how to say “no”.
• Cleaning up their personal environments: closets, papers, offices and living space. Bringing order to messiness gives energy and motivates.
• Letting go of clothes, objects, items no longer used that are taking up space and energy.
• Simplifying their lives.
• Identifying core values: what’s most important.
• Identifying their sense of purpose and unique gifts and talents.
• Identifying key emotional needs, and how to get them met all the time.
• Identifying worn-out internal conversations that are holding them back and keeping them from achieving more and feeling more joyful.
• Bringing order to their personal finances.
• Finding the ideal job or career that suits their values, personality and sense of purpose.
• Replacing bad habits with new healthier ones of their conscious choosing.
• Becoming more focused.
• Reducing stress in their lives.
• Taking better care of their health.
• Gaining a deeper appreciation and esteem for themselves.

Not an overnight process! Taking inventory, making decisions about what we want and don’t want in our lives, committing to our soul’s well being and moving into action requires a great deal of energy. The process, though, gains momentum and once the first steps are taken begins to provide energy. But it’s like growing a garden….beautiful things require time, care, patience and faith that the laws of nature are in force. On the other hand, it does NOT need to take an entire lifetime! Working with a coach who encourages, helps focus and emphasizes productive action can definitely accelerate this process.

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• Are you discovering that a satisfying retirement lifestyle is about a whole lot more than having enough money?
• Is it difficult for you to choose what’s next given all the possibilities?
• Do you have a dream of how you wish to live in retirement yet don’t know how to begin?

Retirement as it was defined and lived a generation ago no longer exists. In fact, no two retirements look alike. Today, 10,000 people retire every day in the U.S.A. alone! Clearly there is a revolution taking place regarding this momentous life transition. Which of the following scenarios best describes you?

• You plan to retire in five to ten years and you want to have a plan, a clear road map enabling you to make deliberate, powerful decisions about your life. You have no intention of leaving something this important to chance. So how and where do you get started?

• Your fear of retiring and what’s next has you working well into what could be your second career or avocation. If you could only allow yourself to dream and dismantle your fears , you could take steps to reach your goals. What would be possible if you committed to following your heart’s desire?

• You are already retired and life is good, yet you want to live with more gusto and joy. Intuitively you know there is more to retirement than your financial portfolio, abundant leisure activities, and your next vacation. But what exactly?

• You don’t have money saved to retire comfortably, so you need to keep working. Your current career is way too stressful, constricting, or unrewarding. You know there’s got to be other options considering your talents, experience, and passions. How would it be for you to have a clear outcome of what you want and the strategies to achieve greater work satisfaction?

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