The Executive Coach

What is a Leader?
Is it a title?
Is it inherited?
Is it earned via merit?
Are leaders born or bred?

Who do you envision as a great leader?
Is it Ghandi?
Is it Jesus?
Is it Moses?
Is it Mother Theresa?
Is it Nelson Mandella?

Why is it that we typically don’t mention any corporate CEOs?

My suggestion for a definition is:

A leader is someone who engages followers
to move towards a planned and specific direction.

Putting It Into Action:
Define leadership in your own words. Write down your definition and store it or post it in a spot where it can be constantly revisited. Envision people who have some of the qualities of your ideal leader. Then, find a way to study them and be more like them. Leadership is proven every day in your actions. Find ways to practice and show your team that you are serious about becoming a better leader.

With you along the path towards success,
Joseph

Have you heard the saying, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail?”

Recently I wrote about setting resolutions or plans more than once a year. To get going with this, start with your goals for this year. Your goals will the help determine your plan. Your annual plan should be specific enough to provide you with a focus and direction, but not so structured that it doesn’t allow you some flexibility.

Once your annual plan has been determined, move to setting quarterly plans, then break that down into monthly targets and plans. Monthly targets can then have attainable weekly action plans.

Your overall goal should be to become fully aware of what you are good at, what you enjoy and what you can contribute to employers or customers. To help you determine your strategic strengths, ask yourself the following questions:
-What do I enjoy doing?
-What do people say I have a real knack for?
-What skills, tools, contacts do I have that are difficult to duplicate in the marketplace?

Putting It Into Action:
Come up with the answer to these two questions:
-How do I add value for my customers, bosses and co-workers?
-How can I get adequately rewarded for the above?

With you along the path towards success,
Joseph

What’s your sign? No I am not using a cheesy pickup line from the eighties.

Just for fun I looked at what the annual prediction for my sign, Pisces, was for 2007. I felt quite good and even somewhat inspired, until I read that the other eleven signs of the zodiac. They were all predicted to have an equally good and empowering year. We know of course that this just can’t be true, this is likely the product of well wishing by some positive astrologists or their magazine and newspaper editors.

What people following astrology does indicate is that people need a beacon, something to believe in, something that will guide them. Many of us believe in some sort of Devine being, I am not trying to diminish any of these beliefs. Through my executive coaching and personal observations, I do believe that we all have it within us to be our leadership beacons. From time to time, we may become lost in a ‘fog’, we may need fog lights or light houses in the forms of mentors or coaches to help us find our way.

Putting It Into Action:
Revisit your mentor and coaches. Do you have one that you can talk to? Are they still relevant? Do you remain in contact with them?

With you along the path towards success,
Joseph

Are you like most people this time of year?

Do you look back at your year(s) and decide that this January you will change all your ‘wrongs’ and strive to be a better person?

Don’t get suckered into the herding instinct. I say it is time for a Resolution Revolution! Unless you methodologically plan out what, when and how you will enact changes under your own terms you will not succeed.

Your resolutions should be strategic, planned and comprehensive. If you only think about your career, your leadership effectiveness, your legacy during the break before the New Year, you are not doing it right. Resolutions require a complete strategic analysis and review throughout the year. December should be your month of reconnecting with family and business associates. If you have planned and initiated your changes earlier in the year and have a firm plan for the coming year, you will be relaxed and you will enhance your level of reconnection with those that are important to your personal and professional lives.

Putting It Into Action:
Resolve to make resolutions an on-going and strategic part of your life. Book some reflection time every quarter to ask yourself questions like:
-Where am I going?
-Where do I want to go?
-What do I have to do to get ‘there’?
-How will I know when I get ‘there’?

With you along the path towards success,
Joseph

This is my first blog entry for The Executive Coach. I will add a new entry every week. My entries will consist of leadership observations, best practices, challenges and tips.

I feel honoured to be able to share my weekly thoughts with you. My perspective comes from the following:
 I currently lead a global team of 25 career counseling and coaching professionals
 I have 25+ years of corporate and non-profit experience; 10 of those years as leader, 8 as a manager
 I am an Executive Coach registered with the International Coaching Federation and coach for both one of the world’s greatest business schools and one of North America’s largest corporate training firms
 I sit on several high profile boards and have regular access to current and emerging senior executives
 I am certified in Emotional Intelligence and career interest assessment
 I am a professional Accountant and a recent MBA

My promises to you are as follows, I will:
 Try not to rant or preach
 Be honest and forthcoming
 Continue to share as long as I feel I am adding value
 Continue to contribute as long as I am having fun
 Feature a call to action

I hope you find my weekly blog helpful or at least thought provoking.

With you along the path towards success,
Joseph