Be A Better You: Business

Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts

Coaching - an Easy Way To Make Things Happen

By Michael Cobb
http://www.be-a-better-you.com

Coaching - an Easy Way To Make Things Happen

When you hear the word “coach”, what comes first into your mind? Do you picture a basketball team with a man/woman shouting out directions? Or perhaps a football team with a man/woman pacing to and fro and calling out the names of the players?

Coaching is no longer reserved to sports teams; it is now one of the key concepts in leadership and management. Why is coaching popular?

Coaching levels the playing field.

Coaching is one of the six emotional leadership styles proposed by Daniel Goleman. Moreover, it is a behavior or role that leaders enforce in the context of situational leadership. As a leadership style, coaching is used when the members of a group or team are competent and motivated, but do not have an idea of the long-term goals of an organization. This involves two levels of coaching: team and individual. Team coaching makes members work together. In a group of individuals, not everyone may have nor share the same level of competence and commitment to a goal. A group may be a mix of highly competent and moderately competent members with varying levels of commitment. These differences can cause friction among the members. The coaching leader helps the members level their expectations. Also, the coaching leader manages differing perspectives so that the common goal succeeds over personal goals and interests. In a big organization, leaders need to align the staffs’ personal values and goals with that of the organization so that long-term directions can be pursued.

Coaching builds up confidence and competence.

Individual coaching is an example of situational leadership at work. It aims to mentor one-on-one building up the confidence of members by affirming good performance during regular feedbacks; and increase competence by helping the member assess his/her strengths and weaknesses towards career planning and professional development. Depending on the individual’s level of competence and commitment, a leader may exercise more coaching behavior for the less-experienced members. Usually, this happens in the case of new staffs. The direct supervisor gives more defined tasks and holds regular feedbacks for the new staff, and gradually lessens the amount of coaching, directing, and supporting roles to favor delegating as competence and confidence increase.

Coaching promotes individual and team excellence.

Excellence is a product of habitual good practice. The regularity of meetings and constructive feedback is important in establishing habits. Members catch the habit of constantly assessing themselves for their strengths and areas for improvement that they themselves perceive what knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to acquire to attain team goals. In the process, they attain individually excellence as well. An example is in the case of a musical orchestra: each member plays a different instrument. In order to achieve harmony of music from the different instrument, members will polish their part in the piece, aside from practicing as an ensemble. Consequently, they improve individually as an instrument player.

Coaching develops high commitment to common goals.

A coaching leader balances the attainment of immediate targets with long-term goals towards the vision of an organization. As mentioned earlier, with the alignment of personal goals with organizational or team goals, personal interests are kept in check. By constantly communicating the vision through formal and informal conversations, the members are inspired and motivated. Setting short-term team goals aligned with organizational goals; and making an action plan to attain these goals can help sustain the increased motivation and commitment to common goals of the members.

Coaching produces valuable leaders.

Leadership by example is important in coaching. A coaching leader loses credibility when he/she cannot practice what he/she preaches. This means that a coaching leader should be well organized, highly competent is his/her field, communicates openly and encourages feedback, and has a clear idea of the organization’s vision-mission-goals. By vicarious and purposive learning, members catch the same good practices and attitudes from the coaching leader, turning them into coaching leaders themselves. If a member experiences good coaching, he/she is most likely to do the same things when entrusted with formal leadership roles.

Some words of caution though: coaching is just one of the styles of leadership. It can be done in combination with the other five emotional leadership styles depending on the profile of the emerging team. Moreover, coaching as a leadership style requires that you are physically, emotionally, and mentally fit most of the time since it involves two levels of coaching: individual and team. Your members expect you to be the last one to give up or bail out in any situation especially during times of crises. A coaching leader must be conscious that coaching entails investing time on each individual, and on the whole team. Moreover, that the responsibilities are greater since while you are coaching members, you are also developing future coaches as well.

---------------------------------------------------
Article provided by Michael Cobb. Visit Michael's Self Help, Self Improvement, Motivation and Personal Growth website at http://www.be-a-better-you.com/articles or the Self Help, Self Improvement, Motivation and Personal Growth Blog at http://be-a-better-you.blogspot.com for more great articles, tips and resourses.
---------------------------------------------------
This article may be freely used and distributed in its original
form on the condition that the above resourse box (including
links) and this paragraph are left intact.
---------------------------------------------------

7 Steps to Successful Coaching

By Michael Cobb
http://www.be-a-better-you.com

7 Steps to Successful Coaching

Have you ever been a coach to a neighborhood team? I know how it feels the first time I've coached a team of seven-year-old soccer kids and how much they can really test my patience, not to mention sanity as they run around kicking the ball like ants to a huge, white crumb. It feels strange at first, having to be stared at by a bunch of kids who they will know that I'm not the one in the field. Sounds wrong in a sense, right? But what is the dead about coaching?

Coaching is all about being a, well, 'coach' in the corporate world of handlers, front-liners and even a couple of benchwarmers biding their time to be given a chance to perform. I know how that feels when I go back to my regular day job. Some players are just MVP material, and some of them are just to support the MVP's so why bother sticking around? It sounds ironic when they say 'there is no I in team', but even the underachievers can be sore losers as well.

These are steps that can be done within the day, and no matter what, it takes determination to be a coach.

1. There is a WHOLE lot of talk these days about Corporate Team Building. There are many, many options: vacation packages, rope courses, on-going office games, ice-breakers, etc. Management can also purchase videos, books, and seminar packages to assist them in building up their organization into a team worthy of belonging. A little later I will give you some ideas of where you can go for information on these team-building tools.

2. The truth about motivation is waiting to be grasped! It is ripe and ready for you to put into action today. Don't settle for mind-numbing gibberish. Get practical in 3 small ways to begin looking forward to your alarm clock sounding off each morning before you huddle with the team.

3. Experience is the best thing despite of what course you graduated in. There is something about being a people person who knows how to stir the energetic side of one individual, and more so when you mix it up with an entire team.

4. To question a person by his or her performance is sometimes required, but never question their knowledge or their intelligence. Sadly, I have seen a few mistakes from past coaches who never seem to understand what a player has to go through to get the job right. It will lead to further aggravation and maybe even hostility. If you want the job done right, then go do it yourself. You'll see how it is to be at the receiving end and it will help your set a much better course for improvement.

5. Sending a player to the bench is probably the worse experience a coach has to go through, especially if your player is the top performer. In dealing with this kind of person, see to it that he spills his guts voluntarily. Egotism in a performer tends to make them lose their focus on even the smallest mistakes, then you can catch him or her red handed. Be firm, but understanding about it.

6. Don't allow your position to blind you from what you are supposed to do. Even coaches are human enough to think that they are far more superior, but only by rank. Even if you have been in their shoes when you were their age, it's better to dole out a piece of wisdom in order for them to realize that this will be for their own benefit.

7. Lastly, you should learn to trust yourself and your team. Decisions and performance are primarily your goals, and there are many of them to see if they could perform the task much more efficiently. So before you think about sending one member to the bench, have a good chat with him or her and see if they have any problems. If it's too personal, then just encourage them to do their best and it also helps to give them a good, encouraging slap on the back.

I guess there's all there is to it. Being a corporate drone myself, I know how important it is for a company to be successful, and we're all part of that success. Coaches are there not to make your work a little difficult just because you have either an attitude problem or not much a performer, but they're the guides who will help you perform as hard as you can possibly can. You'll do them proud one of these days, as well as you.

Surefire Ways to Attain Moneymaking Success

Image via Wikipedia

By Michael Cobb
http://www.be-a-better-you.com

Surefire Ways to Attain Moneymaking Success

You have probably heard other people say that "Money isn't
everything" or "Money can't buy happiness." They may be
right in some aspects; but it's not just about the money.

It's about having an ideal lifestyle - being able to have
control over your time and schedule, having no one ordering
you around, not having to look at the price tags every time
you go out shopping, and just enjoying the freedom that you
truly deserve.

But why do many people fail to achieve financial freedom?
Through experience, I have observed that they have limited
belief.

That's the problem with most people. They have set up a
boundary in their minds. This barrier stops any
possibility of surpassing the current limits of their
belief.

For example, many people would think that their boring
day job is all that they're good enough for. They do
not like to think outside the box. They do not grab
opportunities that are theirs for the taking. Fears
and doubts have been causing them to miss these golden
chances of a lifetime.

There are plenty of opportunities out there. They may
enroll in night classes, do some research on how to make
more money, or start an internet business.

When I was just starting my online endeavors, all my
friends and relatives (with the exception of my internet
marketing friends, of course) would discourage me in
entering this venture. They would repeatedly inform me
that I'm wasting my time and nothing good would come out
of it.

Had I listened to them, I would not have achieved online
success. If they have succeeded in implanting their own
restricted beliefs into my mind, I never would have
tasted the joy of being an infopreneur.

No offense to them. I respect their decisions.
Everyone has the right to voice out their opinions, but
no one has the right to force others in accepting their
belief. Thank goodness my internet marketing pals have
encouraged and supported me all the way.

Believe that you have the capacity and power to attain
moneymaking success, and you're halfway there.

Plan everything. Make a list of things that would
allow you to save money. Cut back on using your
credit card, pay your bills on time, make wise
investment decisions, and try your best to start in
some sort of business (no matter how small).

More importantly, action should be taken. It's not
enough to just believe. You have to make a move.
Does making mistakes frighten you? Don't be. The
more mistakes you make, the closer you will get to
success.

Sacrifice. Instead of watching TV or going shopping,
invest more time on those activities that would propel
you in reaching your financial goals.

Many people would repeatedly complain that they're
sick and tired of their lives, but do they really
deserve a better life? The harder you work, the
more chances that success will hit you.

Never, ever give up. Quitting is not an option.
You must keep on pounding and pounding until you
have achieved your mission.

Money may not be everything, but living your life
the way you want it to be is.

The Art of Adapting to Change

Cover of Change One

By Michael Cobb
http://www.be-a-better-you.com

The Art of Adapting to Change

One of the main reasons that may hinder us from reaching our
innermost goals and desires is our inability to be flexible.

This fact may be hard to swallow, but it's true. We do
everything we can to eliminate any type of suffering in our
lives, yet challenges and pressures can bring out the best
in us.

If you have been burdened by mistakes in the past, learn from
them, forget about them, and move on. Some people tend to
focus on how bad their lives have been due to these mistakes.
As a result, they remained stuck in their miserable lives.

Treat your mistakes as lessons, and apply them as learning
references in your future endeavors.

So what if you invested in a business and you lose a ton of
money? In this situation, some people would remain deeply
discouraged for a long time that their personal lives are
being affected negatively. They can't eat well and they
just stare at the ceiling all night long, thinking how this
bad incident happened. Furthermore, they would probably vow
not to venture into new opportunities again.

You don't have to be like them. If you're afraid to fail,
then you risk all your chances to achieve your goals in life.
Try again; but this time, be more careful and use your past
mistakes as guide maps.

Look at it this way. If you try, at least you get a 50%
chance of getting what you want. But if you did not try
at all, you have absolutely no chance of attaining your
desires in life. It's a no-brainer.

But when you try, make sure you follow through. I've met
so many people who have accepted my proposal to write
reports for me, but most of them would stop right in the
middle of their work and quit. They have the drive to
start, but they lack the motivation to go through all the
difficulties. Yes, this is another fact of life. Those
who persist may have some hell of a time at present, but
they shall have the last laugh.

Let's fast forward into the future. Let's say you did try,
you followed through, and you succeeded. Congratulations.
So you became wealthy by reaping the fruits of your labor.
This does not mean you'll stay in that situation for good.
Problems may rise again, so always be ready to adjust to
the current situation. The only thing permanent in this
world is change.

If you need to sacrifice something for a better cause,
then do it. If you have to miss your favorite show on
TV or if you have to deny your friends' invitation to go
out on a Saturday night so that you can devote more time
to those activities that will lead you closer to your
goals, so be it.

You may encounter difficulties. You may receive criticisms.
You may even be regarded as being "different" or "strange"
by other people. Don't let them discourage you. Just
keep on striving, and success will be yours for the taking.

Time Management: The 80/20 Rule

By Michael Cobb
http://www.be-a-better-you.com

Time Management: The 80/20 Rule

Time management is basically about being focused. The Pareto Principle also known as the '80:20 Rule' states that 80% of efforts that are not time managed or unfocused generates only 20% of the desired output. However, 80% of the desired output can be generated using only 20% of a well time managed effort. Although the ratio '80:20' is only arbitrary, it is used to put emphasis on how much is lost or how much can be gained with time management.

Some people view time management as a list of rules that involves scheduling of appointments, goal settings, thorough planning, creating things to do lists and prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill. These basic skills can be fine tuned further to include the finer points of each skill that can give you that extra reserve to make the results you desire.

But there is more skills involved in time management than the core basics. Skills such as decision making, inherent abilities such as emotional intelligence and critical thinking are also essential to your personal growth.

Personal time management involves everything you do. No matter how big and no matter how small, everything counts. Each new knowledge you acquire, each new advice you consider, each new skill you develop should be taken into consideration.

Having a balanced life-style should be the key result in having personal time management. This is the main aspect that many practitioners of personal time management fail to grasp.

Time management is about getting results, not about being busy.

The six areas that personal time management seeks to improve in anyone's life are physical, intellectual, social, career, emotional and spiritual.

The physical aspect involves having a healthy body, less stress and fatigue.

The intellectual aspect involves learning and other mental growth activities.

The social aspect involves developing personal or intimate relations and being an active contributor to society.

The career aspect involves school and work.

The emotional aspect involves appropriate feelings and desires and manifesting them.

The spiritual aspect involves a personal quest for meaning.

Thoroughly planning and having a set of things to do list for each of the key areas may not be very practical, but determining which area in your life is not being giving enough attention is part of time management. Each area creates the whole you, if you are ignoring one area then you are ignoring an important part of yourself.

Personal time management should not be so daunting a task. It is a very sensible and reasonable approach in solving problems big or small.

A great way of learning time management and improving your personal life is to follow several basic activities.

One of them is to review your goals whether it be immediate or long-term goals often.

A way to do this is to keep a list that is always accessible to you.

Always determine which task is necessary or not necessary in achieving your goals and which activities are helping you maintain a balanced life style.

Each and everyone of us has a peek time and a time when we slow down, these are our natural cycles. We should be able to tell when to do the difficult tasks when we are the sharpest.

Learning to say "No". You actually see this advice often. Heed it even if it involves saying the word to family or friends.

Pat yourself at the back or just reward yourself in any manner for an effective time management result.

Try and get the cooperation from people around you who are actually benefiting from your efforts of time management.

Don't procrastinate. Attend to necessary things immediately.

Have a positive attitude and set yourself up for success. But be realistic in your approach in achieving your goals.

Have a record or journal of all your activities. This will help you get things in their proper perspective.

These are the few steps you initially take in becoming a well rounded individual.

As the say personal time management is the art and science of building a better life.

From the moment you integrate into your life time management skills, you have opened several options that can provide a broad spectrum of solutions to your personal growth. It also creates more doors for opportunities to knock on.

Be A Better You

Categories