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2013-05-17 14:39:48 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

200 Up !!

Thank you for all the support, comments and feedback. Here is free #coaching  and leadership post number 200. Do keep engaging, asking questions, looking for advice etc.

Happy to help where I can. 

2013-05-16 19:38:12 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Got it?

2013-05-16 14:40:50 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

I'm rather surprised at the level of griping that seems to be going on about the G+ changes. We all deal with change differently - some thrive on it and others don't. I get that. 

I've yet to really get my head around these introductions so I'm not convinced yet whether I like or loathe them, but I would have thought (hoped?) that we might have been able to give it a little time to bed down and for the tweaks that may need to be made, to happen.

Just sayin' 

2013-05-16 10:32:21 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

I've never been a fan of the term "soft skills" but I think the sentiment here is spot on ...

Soften it up. Take it down a number of notches, and just listen instead of always talking. Up to that point, I had always been a person who could muscle my way through anything. He taught me how, from a leadership perspective, to step back and take in the landscape

2013-05-15 14:20:58 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

I don't watch Nashville - perhaps I should - but there is some interesting ideas here re personal branding, integrity etc. 

2013-05-14 15:43:27 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Handle with extreme caution ...

Establishing rapport and building a great relationship with another human being in any context can be smoothed along with a degree of lightness and humour. Worked skilfully it can add huge value. Get it wrong and it can cause all sorts of issues - some you'll know about and others you won't be aware of until it's too late ....

2013-05-13 07:19:23 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Persistent management ideas ...

Are they persistent because nobody is questioning them or are they persistent because they work?

It would be great if you can share your thought on this below ...

2013-05-13 06:38:33 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

An interesting and somewhat critical take on the value of Expats ...

This isn't my experience of working with expats but it does raise some interesting questions. If you work with, or indeed if you are, an expat, share your experiences ....

2013-05-10 07:52:52 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Great response to Talented Performer Survey 2013

Thank you if you have already completed this survey which is designed to explore the views of a narrow population about what businesses need in the current environment in order to thrive. 

We have over 80 professionals who have completed the survey and will close it once we have reached 100. If you fit the profile and have 5 mins to spare it would be great to have your views included too. If you don't fit the profile but know people who do, please feel free to share. 

Profile (any of those listed below)
1. Human Resources professional
2. Learning and Development professional
3. Leader or manager of a business team
4. Owner of a business with employees

We will produce and share an overview of the results when we have analysed the data. Thank you. 

2013-05-09 08:58:51 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Are you providing un-necessary support ...

I found this wooden stick propped up against what seemed to be an ancient tree. The forgotten walking stick of some long-gone hiker or a wholly un-necessary support for a tree that is likely to be around long after the stick has rotted away? 

What support are you providing to those in your business that they don't actually need?

2013-05-07 18:11:07 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Helpful heads up for leaders ...

2013-05-07 18:08:14 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Faulty thinking?

What left us very confused as a customer was the lack of quality thinking and the lack of consistency in the logic which made no sense.

2013-05-02 07:10:13 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Calling all HR/L&D professionals ...

Morning! If you would like to contribute your views to this year's Talented Performer Survey we would love to hear them. 

This simple, five question, survey, is anonymous and uses SurveyMonkey so there is no need for your contact details etc. We have set an ambitious target of 100 responses from this very specific population and so far we are nearly half way there with a 94% completion rate!!

Go on .. you know you want to ;-) and as a thank you we will be happy to provide an overview of the results for you to use in your own organisation once we have analysed them. #HumanResources   #learninganddevelopment  

2013-05-01 06:49:29 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

The value of coaching ...

Can a simple conversation we have about the challenges you face at work, or elsewhere, be worth the premium? In truth, that depends on several key variables which include:

Knowledge of the coach
Experience of the coach
Results the coach helps you achieve
Lasting effects of the coaching

2013-04-30 11:39:53 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

I believe in building for the future ...

... and I may be a bit 2003 biased, but Jonny is the top scorer again in France and has captained his team to the European Cup Final. I have nothing against Owen Farrell either but come on ... Jonny made him look like a player who still has loads to learn about competing under pressure...just like it will be in Oz. It's not a case of either or, take them both!! #PooroldJonny 

2013-04-30 09:56:20 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Coaches and Mentors: A suggestion

As part of a mentoring or coaching relationship it is likely that action plans are drawn for your client to go away and work on between sessions. How you position that and the work you do with it will have huge impacts on the working relationship you have. Want to get it right? Have a read of today's post ...

2013-04-30 07:56:04 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Oh no!! 

2013-04-29 07:26:49 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Crack on ... now!!

2013-04-26 17:16:13 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

If only ...

... I had written a totally FREE coaching handbook that I can give away to the good people on Google+ as a way of saying thank you for yet another great week of sharing, networking and debating. OH!!! I have already....!!!! Here's a link to your free copy with my thanks ...Have a great weekend. 

2013-04-26 07:37:45 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Can you help me, so I can help you?

If you are an HR or L&D professional or your run your own business would you be kind enough to complete the anonymous (i.e. no contact details required - we respect your privacy), 5 question "Talented Performer Survey 2013"? We would much appreciate your assistance. 

At this point in time we have nearly 50 top professionals in the Human Resources and Learning and Development fields who have been kind enough to complete this brief survey. We are looking to total over 100 responses. The feedback so far has been very positive about its design and the areas it is looking into.

We want to discover what the most pertinent qualities and attributes are at present to ensure that your people are working and developing towards being the best they can be, in a way that helps businesses achieve the results they need. We can... more »

2013-04-26 06:16:25 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

How do you iron out flaws that you don't even know exist?

... but that might be detrimental to your progress and business performance?

2013-04-25 16:53:35 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Auto-responders: they aren't meant to replace human interaction ...

"However, I just wanted to raise in your consciousness the possibility that you may have already made your mind-up about if and/or how, to respond to a member of staff, sometimes even before they have started talking. You have run some mental programmes and switched on the auto-response."

2013-04-24 06:57:48 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

When you are striving to achieve your goals ...

... make sure that you have checked all the more obvious places for some of the help that may get you there sooner or easier!

2013-04-24 05:48:42 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Can't beat a bit of Only Fools ...

Del Boy: [talking about one of Del's mates] That bloke's come on a bundle in the last few years. That man is at the front of new technological frontiers. He's got a Queen's Award for industry plaque and all.

Rodney: I know. I was there when you sold it to him.

2013-04-23 17:31:26 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Help needed please ...

If you are an HR or L&D professional or your run your own business would you be kind enough to complete the anonymous (i.e. no contact details required - we respect your privacy), 5 question "Talented Performer Survey 2013"? We would much appreciate your assistance. 

At this point in time we have nearly 50 top professionals in the Human Resources and Learning and Development fields who have been kind enough to complete this brief survey. The feedback so far has been very positive about its design and the areas it is looking into.

We want to discover what the most pertinent qualities and attributes are at present to ensure that your people are working and developing towards being the best they can be, in a way that helps businesses achieve the results they need. We can provide a brief overview of the findings at your request. more »

2013-04-23 11:22:12 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 3 +1s)

A really great video (54 mins) ...

How to build willpower via what the research says. Also includes some very practical tips including some future-pacing exercises (@ approx 30 mins).

2013-04-23 10:02:59 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

I seem to have visited a number of websites in the last week that are built on the Wordpress platform (as is my own) so I thought it well worth sharing this advice from my friend and mentor +Jim Connolly 

2013-04-23 07:30:27 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Why taking a relativist position can really help your coaching & mentoring ...

2013-04-19 10:36:11 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

What to do when the conversation goes silent ...

What is much less frequently written about is what the coach might do in those moments of silence. I think the answer is a range of things depending on your judgement about the reasons the client is now silent. Where there is creativity and positive thinking apparently occurring, my view is the coach should do very little to disturb this...

2013-04-18 15:36:35 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

True story ...

No, really, I found out today that this is a true story and probably one of the most extreme examples of a niche job you'll hear about!!

2013-04-18 05:51:35 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Managers, Leaders and Business Owners

There is a huge weight of expectation that goes with earning any significant title in an organisation, and that is, you are never NOT role modelling. Some pressure, huh?

2013-04-17 16:50:25 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

*What are the benefits of executive coaching for you? *

I'm biased but I have witnessed lots of possible advantages for you in engaging in coaching ....

2013-04-17 06:07:00 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Note to self (and you if you've got some helpful advice) ... Re: #2013traininglog  

I'm wondering why all the posts to this online training 'journal' I started back in January don't seem to get posted? Defining the posts as part of the journal by using the hashtag, I thought they would all appear in the conversation as a way (in part) of tracking what I'm doing. The other thing is that they don't appear in chronological order either when I use the search function. Which is a shame as it doesn't make using it as a diary very easy. 

Considering taking this training log out of Google+ and putting onto a sports specific training diary. Any tips on making this work better?

2013-04-16 11:58:28 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

He trusts me, he trusts me not

Go on, let 'em have a go. Show that you believe in their ability to produce great results without you micro-managing them to a place where they'll never trust themselves ...

2013-04-15 09:34:47 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

When your mind starts to go walkabout ...

...The result has been that whilst the work has been finished, it has either been ‘last minute’ or left me feeling, “I could have done that better”.

2013-04-13 11:36:08 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#2013traininglog  Really good session today. Back and obliques. Pushed the number of exercises up. Back has been under the treatment of an awesome Osteopath over the last month and strengthening it - in the right way - important. Hope you have a great training weekend all. 

Train hard. Live well. 

2013-04-12 07:32:43 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Why making sure your actions align to your message

If all your signals as the leader of your team/business aren't aligned, you are asking for people to be confused, to wait for your next move and for your own reputation to take a dent. Here's a discussion about why getting this right is so important to you ...

2013-04-10 06:48:54 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

I invented a new term ... probably

The reason why this might be of interest to you is at least two-fold: a) raising your awareness that both you or others may be struggling with this experience and understanding the reasons for it may prove helpful in personal and work performance; b) working out ways to deal with GAPS so you can finish projects with a flourish and a sense of satisfaction is likely to be helpful.

2013-04-10 06:42:03 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#2013traininglog  Tuesday evening. Shoulders and biceps. 12 reps per set. Feeling strong in the rear deltoid exercises that I tried which is pleasing as generally my shoulders have been weak there. I read recently that as you age (ahem!) focusing on your Rotator Cuff if you continue to lift is a good idea so I've added this into my shoulder session and hope that helps. How is your training going this week? 

Train hard. Live well.
Photo: jbcurio

2013-04-09 15:00:58 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

How to get more done in less time AND improve your thinking!
Many people ask me how I manage to run a busy marketing business and still produce so much creative content every day.

So, here’s my secret! http://jimsmarketingblog.com/2013/04/09/how-to-get-more-done-in-less-time-and-improve-your-thinking/

2013-04-09 06:51:13 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Lucky enough to have seen Emeli Sande in concert last night at Hammersmith Apollo. Awesome voice. 

2013-04-09 06:07:09 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

You could waste all day trying to work out this card trick ...

2013-04-09 05:57:41 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

It's all yours ...

I wanted to take the chance to share more coaching information with you and bring together some of the key insights from the blog and some new thoughts too. I also wanted to offer you all of that in an easy format. So, I have taken some time to create "Please Mind the Gap: How Great Managers can Unlock Potential".

2013-04-08 22:08:23 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

#2013traininglog Really good 50mins steady state cycle - 96rpm. Set up my iPad and watched an episode of Lie to Me ... Ideal !

Train hard. Lie well.

2013-04-06 08:10:12 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Some great ideas here...

2013-04-05 08:48:38 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

You can call it influencing or you can call it 'selling' ...

Either way it is about how to motivate people to achieve the results you and your business need them to in a way that encourages them to do so willingly ...

2013-04-04 09:24:09 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Final session of the holiday last night. #2013traininglog 45mins shoulders, triceps and abs. Been good to re-energise and have some time to train too. Hope your training week ha been good.

Train hard. Live well.

2013-04-03 09:58:05 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

#2013traininglog Monday night chest, back and arms. Last night 40 mins HIIT cycle training at 95+ rpm. The hotel gym is more than adequate for a maintenance programme for a few days.

Getting plenty of rest during the day too ... Lazing by the pools!!

Train hard. Live well.

2013-03-31 22:36:24 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

#2013traininglog 45 mins HIIT cycle. Hot work but glad I did it. Hotel gym pretty well equipped. Have a great week. Train hard. Live well.

2013-03-29 15:48:40 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

What everyone should know about Executive Coaching BEFORE engaging in the process ...

Don't go into coaching blind. Here is a post that will help you understand what you can expect and how to prepare.