A few weeks ago, I had lunch with Ryan, a VP of Design in Tech, and we chatted about leadership over a nice bowl of pho soup. Ryan asked for my thoughts on modulating between coaching and other leadership tools. Here is what we discussed:
The basic toolkit of leadership includes coaching, mentoring, giving/receiving feedback, setting a vision, holding accountability with self/others.
Coaching, as a core tool of leadership is a reflective inquiry method that allows others to unfold in their own creativity. It can be a very powerful tool when used by leaders in developing and growing other leaders. However, it is not always the right tool to use.

Here are a couple tips on when to modulate your coaching as a leader:

• Urgency: The more immediate the need, the less likely coaching will be effective. As a reflective inquiry tool, coaching requires that the coachee / client reflect. This takes time and the time it takes depends on the individual and the topic. So, if the situation calls for an immediate outcome or intense moment of focus e.g. a fire drill, coaching is likely not your tool; try being direct and clear.
• Experience: The less life experiences a person draws from, the less likely coaching is your tool. Or, better said, it may need to be augmented with other tools, such as mentoring as reflection time will be longer. In coaching, I guide people using their experiences and truth while in mentoring, I guide people using my experiences and truth. This implies that in coaching, the coachee / client has experiences to draw from in order to find their path. It isn't necessarily about direct/technical experience with a topic, it is more around life experiences. And most of us need time to reflect on our collective life experience in order to draw from it. Mentoring can help fuel a foundation of varied experiences, so that the person has something to test with as they discover themselves through coaching.

Are there other ways you modulate coaching as a leader?

Happy New Year!

For many, the new year represents a marker or milestone that brings about self-reflection. We often lead such busy lives, that it is important to pause, breathe and reflect on who we have become and who we are becoming. Here is a tip: You don't have to wait for an annual marker like the new year or a birthday to do this. In fact, you stand a better chance of reaching your goals if you check-in with yourself more regularly - quarterly, monthly, weekly or even daily!
Whatever interval you pick, here are some questions you may use to kickstart your self-reflection:

• Who was I being during the last period?
• What did I do?
• How did I live my values, life's purpose?
• What did I learn?
• What will I carry forward and amplify in the next period?
• What will I leave behind?
• Who do I want to be in the next period?
• What will be my theme for this next period?
• What must I do to be this person?
• How will I hold myself accountable?
• Who/what will support me along this journey?
• Who supported me last period that I need to appreciate?

​Happy reflecting!

Confidence and Awareness are two ingredients I’ve identified as necessary to any personal transformation journey. More on awareness later ...
A tip on confidence I’ve learned from my coaching clients is to displace that self limiting belief, whatever it is for you, filled with doubt and judgment, with this empowering one

You know the saying, breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well, it's not just about meals but how you start your day really does define your day. This goes back to perspectives. You setup the theme of your day with whatever you start it with and that shapes how the rest of your day flows. 
​
For a long time, I started my day by grabbing my phone - to catch up on emails. Let's face it, I still do this on some days. But you know what? It really doesn't matter whether that 10pm email gets answered at 6am. However, what has been rather rewarding, is starting my day with gratitude. For me, it is mostly gratitude to my Creator for what I have been granted to experience.

What does gratitude look like for you? Whatever you are grateful for, I urge you to start your day with gratitude. Just 3 minutes once you get up - dedicated to just you, your experiences and your expression of gratitude. This may take the form of a prayer, a yoga sun salutation or an unexpected appreciation to a friend. Try this out for a week and experience the difference it makes!

Spoiler alert: What you put your energy in is what comes to you. You'll see more gratitude flowing your way!

Last week, I was out sick for a few days. I felt terrible. On one of those days, I needed to log into my computer. I mustered whatever strength I could gather, and hunched over my laptop with a tissue box by my side. 
Then, I entered in my password. The strangest thing happened. I immediately felt myself sitting up straight. A smile flashed across my face. My password inspires me! It reminds me of the things I want to remember every single day. And it works!

If you follow my blog, you know I talk about structures/anchors - those things that remind you of what you want to remember. Passwords are a great anchor to remind you of what you must do every single day. What does your password inspire you to do?