Web Watch Week 3

This week we take a look at what our Australian cohorts are blogging about in regards to Executive Coaching. I found a really interesting blog on the IECL (Institute of Executive Coaching & Leadership) site. http://www.iecl.com/_blog/Executive_Coaching_Blog 

It is based on Dr. Hilary Armstrong’s November 2013 white paper, Follow the Leader: Leader Development for the Future which is well worth reading, if this subject interests you. [free download available at the link above]

Today’s business world is vastly different than even 2 years ago and continues to change. The old norms are no longer relevant. Globalization and social media are changing traditional business models as well as the leadership necessary to run them. Businesses that question the current and future relevance of its policies and procedures and expand their focus to include extended networks inside and outside of their organization will have the edge.

These hot points that Dr. Armstrong makes illustrate the key elements of evolved leadership and their organizations:

-        “Meaning and shared purpose are more important than vision and mission.

-        Reciprocal relationships are more important than individual competency.

-        Practice is more important than policy and procedure. 

-        Power is addressed transparently as a constructive resource rather than as a means of underhanded manipulation or bullying to achieve personal gain.

-        Creativity and innovation give the market edge.”

I imagine that working at an organization that has this type of dynamic leadership would be invigorating, challenging and satisfying. Sign me up!

 

(Check out the IECL Facebook and IECL Twitter pages!)

Respectfully,

Marggie Paris LSW, BCC

Web Watch - Week 2

Michelle Armstrong, BCC Life & Wellness, recently authored a blog, “Don’t Eliminate, Crowd Out in 2013” that I discovered on my alma mater’s website, ILCT (The Institute for Life Coach Training).     

I absolutely respect her re-examination of the New Year Resolution phenomenon, what will I give up this year? 

She believes that “Human nature is to hunger for that which we can’t have and denying ourselves sets us up for failure.” I tend to agree. She purposes that instead of eliminating the negative behavior (i.e., I will give up eating fast food) we will have better success by embracing the positive (i.e., I will eat 10 meals this week that I have prepared at home). The ultimate goal being to eat healthier, and by focusing on increasing more positive behaviors, they “will crowd out things we want to eliminate”.

She gives some great examples of applying this new resolution technique to 3 different areas; relationships, nutrition and finances.  This is a fresh approach to a January staple.

Respectfully,

Marggie Paris, LSW, BCC 

Web Watch

Moving forward into 2013, as blog manager for ICF- Chicago, I will be reading various blogs that are focused on Coaching and sharing what I find that I believe is worth sharing! Feel free to join in! If you find anything on the World Wide Web that peaks your interest that you think might also peak ours, please share!

Here’s what I discovered this week:

4 Tips to “Auto-Coaching” by Eric Marin (Ecological Leadership) was featured on the ICF blog on December 19th and features four very compelling questions that any individual [originally developed for managers] who is “struggling” could use to essentially “coach” oneself. 

1. Why am I triggered?
2. What do I really want?
3. Why is it important for me to invest time & energy in what I do in this situation? 
4. What do I do now which is in my power to positively change or influence the situation?

There is a beautiful simplicity to this approach. 
The author has provided really specific descriptions for each of the four questions that anyone could understand and incorporate into their daily assessment practice. 
I was trained as a Coach to use WHY questions very sparingly, if at all, so I  would reconfigure questions 1 and 3 to keep it really moving forward and action focused. 
[….maybe, What specifically is occurring right now that is making this situation “a struggle”?] 
I would further simplify question #3…What really matters here…aligns with your value system? What would I to say “yes” to and what would I need to say “no” to make something different happen?....I will definitely be pondering this further as I really think this is a great tool that clients can use to not only gain clarity regarding their “gremlins”, but overcome them.  

Respectfully,
Marggie Paris LSW, BCC

Happy New Year!

President's Letter for January 2013 

New Years is my favorite holiday. I enjoy the annual entry into a new year that is wide open for possibility and opportunity. 

ICF Chicago is also anticipating a new, fresh year of programming and strategic partnership with our members, guests, Chicagoland, and beyond. Our World Café event during the December 10^th chapter meeting was full of people (50+), ideas and input from this community of coaches and we are excited to share what was “harvested” from the event.  See our website for the specific takeaways from the event, as well as more on the World Café process that you can use for your own gatherings.

We will be using this input as we plan and implement programming and more throughout this new year…stay tuned!

Speaking of harvest, one of the things I like to do at the transition of a year is to spend time looking back on what I want to harvest and take with me into the new year, and what I want to let go of and leave behind.

What do I want to take with me? I’m reminded of week one of graduate school back in the fall of 2008 where I was introduced to three questions that were to be a theme for the whole program:

·         Vocation: “What is your vocation?” Hint: “Vocation is the place where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.” Frederick Buechner

·         Values Based Leadership: “Why not dedicate the rest of my life to my three core values?” (This provides my great distinction.)

·         Active Reflection: “How are we/I becoming instruments of innovation, healing, renewal and wholeness for the world?”

These three questions have stayed with me and are something I have taken into each new year since 2008.

What about you…what would you like to harvest and intentionally bring into 2013?

What will you leave behind?

With Appreciation,
Wendy Balman

President's Letter for December 2012

Who Are Your Strategic Partners?

According to Inc magazine’s article “Choosing Strategic Partners that Really Partner” (http://www.inc.com/articles/1999/11/19511.html) by Lisa H. Buksbaum, strategic partners are ones who create alliances that are mutually beneficial, that are non-competitive, and that extend the reach, visibility and impact of both partners.

When considering a strategic partner, Buksbaum presents the following questions to consider:

“What's your gut feeling about the partner you're considering? Is there synergy? Is there a natural fit in terms of values, integrity, and personality? Do your potential partners "get it"? That is, do they have a solid understanding of your objectives and goals, and are they genuinely excited about joining forces for an alliance?”

With strategic partnership in mind, ICF Chicago will be hosting a World Café event on Monday, December 10^th as a way to better form our organization as a strategic partner to coaches, coaching organizations, and businesses and organizations that want to hire coaches in 2013.

Whether you are a coach, looking into the coaching profession, or want to hire a coach, join us for our World Café event so you can have a voice in co-creating ICF Chicago as your strategic partner in 2013.

Click here to sign up: http://icfchicagodecember2012.eventbrite.com

Hope to see you there!

With Anticipation,

Wendy Balman

President's Message for November 2012

Learn. Earn. Engage.

These three words (ICF Chicago’s theme for 2012-13) were voiced during our board retreat in August 2012, as we considered what was important to pay attention to for this next season as an organization.

Since that board retreat, we have had a transition happen on our team. In October, after thoughtful consideration, Teresa Saxton decided to step back as President of the board. As President Elect at that time, I stepped into the role of Interim President with the intent to transition to President in January 2013. Although there has been a transition in leadership, our focus and intention as a board and as an organization has not changed.

I wonder…what transitions are you experiencing in your work and life? Whatever they may be, don’t go through them alone. Participate in the ICF Chicago community through our monthly programs and coach café meetings, as well as our yearly conference and expand your personal and professional relationships and resources. 

Our next program is November 12, where you’ll be sure to be encouraged and enlightened. The topic is "The Emotion of Money: Building Wealth from the Inside Out" with Julie Murphy-Casserly   

Wishing you all the best,
Wendy Balman, MA, CPCC, ACC

 

ICF Global Liaison

Opportunities Abound at ICF Global in London this October –
 by Kam Gupta ICF Global Liaison. ICF-Chicago. citkam@gmail.com

Dear ICFC members and coach community. Below are a few of the
InfoPoints worthy of your immediate attention.

Volunteer at ICF Global 2012Registered attendees are invited to volunteer on-site in a number of roles, including: room hosts and tube station greeters. Choosing to volunteer allows attendees to meet new people and give back to the profession. How do you volunteer? Simply access the Volunteer Portal to sign up.

Official conference app coming soon!
For the first time ever, the ICF International Conference will offer an interactive app to conference attendees! The app will include an interactive show schedule; sponsor and advertiser listings (and product searches); session and event schedules; show alerts; and social media interaction.

It will be available for download from Coachfederation.org/ICFGlobal2012 and the application stores as a native application for iPhone/iPod Touch and Android users, a hybrid version for BlackBerry, and as a Web-based application for all other smartphone users. Bookmark Coachfederation.org/ICFGlobal2012 to know when the app is available for download!

Meet our Provocateur! 

Neil Mullarkey, co-founder of the Comedy Store Players (Europe's top improve troupe)
is serving as Provocateur at ICF Global 2012.

In previous years, a master of ceremonies (MC) has made introductions and observations during conference general sessions. This year, the MC role will expand into a role known as Provocateur. Basically defined, a provocateur is a challenger. Neil will challenge us by provoking our limits, and urging us to stretch beyond the natural boundaries of our comfort zones to stimulate and enhance connection and growth. The Provocateur (Neil) will truly be an extension of both the educational and inspirational experience at ICF Global 2012.

Learn more about Neil.

Begin planning your conference schedule
Before even stepping foot inside the Novotel London West, attendees are encouraged to have an idea of the educational sessions they would like to attend while at ICF Global 2012.

There are 42 different breakout sessions over the course of three days (led by 70 catalysts from 12 countries)—sessions, corresponding catalysts, and CCEU (Continuing Coaching Education Units) requirements are outlined at Coachfederation.org/ICFGlobal2012. Take time now to peruse these sessions and determine which will benefit you and your practice most.

Important Conference hot links Register for ICF Global 2012. Peruse ICF Global 2012 catalysts and sessions. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities. Promote ICF Global 2012 with promotional flyers and postcards; and Web banners. Tentative ICF Global 2012 schedule-at-a-glance is now available. Peruse items in the ICF Virtual Bookstore. Make a recommendation for the virtual bookstore. Make travel to England seamless. What to see and do while in London. Join the ICF Global 2012 event on Facebook. Join the ICF Global 2012 event on LinkedIn. Follow ICF Global 2012 news and updates on Twitter: #icfglobal.