Have you ever thought about coaching yourself? It’s a good skill to have—especially during an unexpected change, transition, or period of uncertainty. Through self-coaching, you can take control of your thoughts and actions. Coaching yourself can be a challenge due to biases and assumed constraints. However, by increasing your awareness of your thoughts and being…
Dear Madeleine, I run the office of compliance for the parent company of a large financial institution. We are attorneys, paralegals, and accounting professionals. About a year ago, my boss was fired and I was made interim head of compliance. I’ve received no title change and no substantial raise, but they keep throwing stock at…
An essential mindset for achieving your goals and contributing to the goals of others is recognizing and appreciating your power at work. I’ve witnessed many amazing transformations as individuals altered their mindset related to power, explored their points of power, and proactively created positive change. This transformation begins by recognizing an important truth about power:…
Anyone who has ever flown has heard these words: “Should a drop in cabin pressure occur, put your own mask on first.” Yes, in order to help others, you must take care of yourself first. Since I almost always ponder life through the filter of coaching, this brings to mind three of my recent clients:…
Dear Madeleine, I supervise five people in a global logistics company. I am three years out of school with an accounting degree, and I really like the job. Here’s my problem: My boss just came to me and asked if I can do a presentation to the senior leadership at their offsite retreat this summer. I…
In this episode of the Blanchard LeaderChat podcast, we interview Sydney Finkelstein, author of Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent. Drawing on some of the key points from his book, Finkelstein explores the different ways managers of all personality types bring out the best in people. He discusses the importance of seeing…
Leadership works best as a partnership, with managers and direct reports working together toward achievement of company goals. It requires strong skills in goal setting, diagnosis, and matching for both manager and direct report. But most organizations only focus on one half of that partnering equation, says Susan Fowler, a senior consulting partner with The…
Because I have been in the coaching profession for so long, I am often asked for advice about becoming a coach, both as a full-time profession and as an additional skill set. In the case of leaders as well as learning and development professionals, it does seem like an awfully good skill set to have…
Dear Madeleine, I am a senior manager in what is essentially a call center. I am hoping you can help me. I am too nice. I am a giver; I come from a long line of nice, generous givers. My Mom ran a dentist’s office and headed several volunteer committees, headed up events at our…
A new study conducted by The Ken Blanchard Companies with 1,300 people in managerial and non-managerial roles found important correlations between an individual’s identification as a self leader and positive work behaviors. – People who exhibit the behaviors of a self leader are more likely to expend discretionary effort on behalf of their organizations. –…
More and more organizations are looking for their managers to use coach-like behaviors in conversations with their direct reports. Here are five of the most important techniques coaches use in their conversations with clients. Consider how these techniques could help the managers in your organization be more coach-like in their communication style. Be fully present.…
Dear Madeleine, I’ve recently been promoted to my first managerial role. Prior to my promotion, I had been an individual contributor here for more than 14 years. My new role has me climbing a steep learning curve because I am not working in the same group I had been in before. I’m not worried about…
