ROI on Executive Coaching Explained

On a call last week with an HR Director from a large company, I discovered that the focus they have on 'coaching' is really about remedial action.  Fixing a 'broken' leader or manager.

We got into the discussion detailing how coaching is about building forward momentum - examining what's working and duplicating it; looking at obstacles and determining how to overcome them and most importantly, understanding the leader's impact on the business and bottom-line - focused productivity and accountability.

The leadership position can be a difficult space to be in.  Part of this discussion stemmed from the fact that they mentioned a specific leader would require a 'hard-hitting' coach.  I was surprised that this and started to think hard about that word.  Coaches are by nature somewhat 'hard-hitting' - we work hard to be objective, provide different perspectives and give the truth, not allowing our coachee to back away and hide or lay blame elsewhere.  We are in fact, doing our job, when we are being truthful and honest, sometimes blunt and asking the questions that need to be asked...this is what the coachee is really looking for - an accountability partner, a nay-sayer that will push them further, make them think, do things differently, reach deep-down and find their authentic responses and turn them into actions.

Here are some figures from the Manchester Consulting Group Study of 100 Fortune 100 executives (as posted on the Kaizen Leadership Coaching website):

A Manchester Consulting Group study of Fortune 100 executives found thatexecutive coaching was effective for all participants, including women and ethnic minorities, and resulted in ROI, averaging $100,000 or 5.7 times the initial investment. The following organizational benefits of coaching were cited:

• Improved Relationships 77%
• Improved Teamwork 67%
• Improved Job Satisfaction 61%
• Improved Productivity 53%
• Improved Quality 48%
• Improved Organizational Strength 48%

Pretty simple to see that executives and leaders need to have a safe place to discuss and sound off, vent and reflect out loud, sometimes to simply think things through and dream about the future.  ROI goes beyond what the client gets every time - the organization gets a great pay off through retention, engagement and much more.

Looking to discover how coaching can change your business and your leadership?  I am always ready to talk!

An Invisible Thread

I am so grateful to work with Leadercast each year.  It is a super event that helps connect the community and build leaders worth following. (I know that's their line, but it is totally true!)

This year, one of our speakers is Laura Schroff - I had never heard of her or her story until October of last year.  And, much to my delight, I was sent a copy of her book 'an Invisible Thread'.  I read it over the weekend.  I could not put it down.

The story is remarkable.  It is a story of connection.  A story of change and of family...of community and growth.  It impressed me with the truth about the threads in our lives - that we are meant to be connected.  That there are threads that lead us to others, as long as we are open to following them.

I strongly urge you to read this story.  It is not about rich girl giving hand outs. This is a story about a broken heart and how it learns to live and love through another.

I cannot wait to hear her speak at Leadercast in May.  Until then, I will look at my relationships differently - what invisible thread is leading me from one to the next?  What invisible thread is connecting me to the work that I do with and through others?  Am I truly appreciating what each person is bringing to my life in the form of lessons - good or bad; success or failure; mine or my perception of theirs?

After Leadercast I will write again and let you know what new focuses I will bring to my relationships and the threads that bring us together.

Do you recognize the threads that connect you to others?

An RFP for Your In-Box

Getting back to basics is always a challenge.  I found the best success in sharing information when I published a very small 'Notes to Self' newsletter.  I have decided to tackle this again.

It will be very short - 3 images, 3 points.

All intended to move you and your business forward.

If you would like to subscribe - here is the link:  Biz Momentum List

I promise I will not share your information with any other party.

So - key point - lesson learned...use what works, re-invent along the way!

A Partner with Focus

I am so lucky!
I am part of a fantastic group of people who are focused on developing leadership competencies for the 21st century!

Part of this opportunity comes with a coach  - a coach for me, the coach!!
What I love best about our calls each week (the calls are to keep me focused on developing my business around these great lunch & learn style workshops) is the fact that each time, the wonderful Ms D asks me 2 things - how can she help me & what is the BRAVE thing I am doing this week or month that she can help me stay focused on.

OMG!!!  Funny, that as I coach I say that, but it helps to validate your own perspective especially at the start of a new year.

I am grateful for this partner who keeps me focused.  I need to this help me keep my own clients focused.

What do you do to help others maintain their focus?  be the coach for the coach, as it were?

As leaders, our role is to be there for others.  Who is there for you?  Let me be there for you.  Send a line, connect online or email anytime!

Happy 2014!!

People Like Us 2.0

In 2013 I attempted to put together a group called 'People Like Us' that would focus on sharing our art (a la Seth Godin) and it did not come together at all - reason:  ME!!

I missed the boat on how to get it off the ground and keep it running.

In 2014 I will try again.  This time from a virtual world perspective that can connect others together.
Here is the plan:

1. start with inviting local bloggers to join my tribe on Triberr.com
2. help them use the platform and share what they post - because I am in more than one tribe, the reach can grow!
3. continue to invite bloggers to participate - subject and content matters - make it worthwhile and valuable

The objective:  develop a gathering place that helps us share what we know so that we can grow together.

Benefit - get to know more people, grow our circles of influence

If you would like to join, feel free.  

You need to follow the 'share' rules (share, and share some more)

Invite others you know to join as well.....

If you have questions, just ask!!