Greetings!
Spring has arrived, at least on the calendar. Here in coachland we've had an occasional warm sunny day, but cold and cloudy are still the norm. Knowing that warm and sunny are just around the corner, I pose the question...
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Where have all the flowers gone?
Where has all the talent gone?
Ah, the '60s and its folk singers.
| Pete Seeger first wrote "Where have all the flowers gone?" in 1961 and it was quickly recorded by Joan Baez, Peter Paul & Mary, and The Kingston Trio. Its a classic folk song.
I thought of it immediately when I read an article about where the talent is going in the financial services industry. It was noteworthy to me because I have a lot of clients in that industry - financial advisers, managers and leaders.
The article quotes a study by The Corporate Executive Board reporting that 25% of high potential employees plan to leave their position (and, it is implied, their company) while 65% of disengaged employees plan to stay put in their current position. It also reports that more than 50% of employees believe that their firm has weak talent development initiatives and growth opportunities for them. That just scares me.
It is not uncommon in coaching sessions that a member of a team will comment "I'm not sure why I am a member of this team" or say about an absent member of the team that "their heart is just not in our work".
Regardless of what industry you work in, a coaching conversation is the perfect place to bring up such issues. I help my clients examine where they are aligned with the goals and mission of the team, and where they may be unaligned. Often the outcome is that the role(s) they are performing in the team are just not that enjoyable to my client. Sometimes a team member has outgrown their interest or energy in their current role and is seeking new challenges. Perhaps they were a mismatch for their role from the very beginning. It can be that they just don't feel the love from their team members for what it is they do for the team and the team's clients.
If one can put any validity in research such as is reported in this study, how are you and your team members talking openly with one another about your respective passion and energy for your goals and roles, or lack thereof? What possibilities are there to front run discontentment and disengagement? What can you do to develop the talent on your team - including your own, even if your firm has downsized its commitment to training and development?
You take a lot of risk if your high potential talent is looking around for greener pastures, and 25% of them are. And an even greater risk if your disengaged team members are just going through the motions, and 65% of them are and plan to stay put. GASP!!!
Email me or call/txt me 732-535-1768 and lets talk about it. You do have possibilities. Lets get you and your team on track with passion, energy and commitment. |
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What is a team, really?
A prospect of mine recently asked that question. I had a ready answer - a team is a group of people aligned to a common vision, purpose and goals, with complimentary skills and defined roles, who are interdependent and accountable to one another for success.
By the way, I googled 'what is a team' and I got 199,000,000 results in 0.10 seconds. It seems there is no lack of information out there about teams, team formation, team development, being a good team player, etc. So, if the information is there and you have access to it, but your team is not performing well, what is missing? Not information.
What do you need to do to get the members of your team acting like a team? You don't lack information. You may lack taking action. You'll read below about why the CEO of Google thinks you need a coach. Getting a team formed, back on track, or into super-growth mode is often the subject of coaching, ones in which we at Larry Hayes Partners are qualified and experienced. We help you move the process forward, faster, with less wear and tear. Is it time to get your team going? We are here to help you make that happen. Contact us at Larry Hayes Partners and lets get started.
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| Why should you have a coach?
The CEO of Google says so
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"Everybody requires a coach. Every famous athlete, every famous performer has someone who is their coach - someone who can ask 'Is that what you really mean?' and provide them perspective. The thing individuals are not necessarily proficient at is seeing themselves as others see them. A coach really, really helps." - Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google
As a very successful CEO, why would someone like Eric Schmidt claim that he requires a coach and thus, why would you? I see executives every day who make incredible strides forward toward their goals by using a professional coach. Their jobs are inspiring, and I am honored to be their partner to make those strides. But a number of you might still wonder what a coach could do for you personally and why you need to invest in a coach for yourself.
Over the next few newsletters, we'll list the top 10 reasons to have a coach. Last month was #1 and #2. This month is #3 and #4.
3. Your coach actively helps you identify your blind spots, helps you see things from new perspectives and find new options to move you forward.
4. Your coach is a supply of the right questions, ideas, knowledge, tools and cutting-edge thought, along with a broad body of expertise and perspective that can help you recognize challenges early, and find new and inventive solutions.
Next month will be #5 and #6.
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A notable quote...
... since we are on the topic of engagement...
| At the top of this newsletter we talked about engagement. I like this quote:
"What you do with your time is powerful. You can take up space or make a difference." - Michael Hayes
You may note the name Michael Hayes. Mike is my son. He took on leadership roles in everything he ever touched, including President of Key Club (the student version of Kiwanis), was president of his high school class, a facilitator at Kairos (a spirituality retreat for college students) and President of his college fraternity. He graduated Miami University in May 2004 on the Dean's List with a triple major. He died just six months later after a 21-month battle with cancer, which overlapped his last three semesters. In his graduation speech to his Delta Sigma Pi fraternity brothers, he made the above quote the theme of his presentation.
I hope you find this quote meaningful. I do. Its one of the reasons I have chosen to be a coach. Not only has coaching made a difference in my life, I also help my clients make differences in their lives - personal and professional - that are meaningful to them.
The Michael Hayes Memorial Scholarship Fund was created with the purpose to provide funds to college students with serious illnesses to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses while staying in school and on track to graduate. Since its inception the fund has paid for many things, including a new motorized wheelchair, transportation to and from doctor appointments, insulin, door-to-door transportation to class in really bad weather, tutoring if needed... you get the idea.
If you are a charitably inclined person, and you believe in the mission of a scholarship fund such as this, please make a contribution:
The Michael Hayes Scholarship Fund
c/o The Miami University Foundation
926 Chestnut Lane
Oxford OH 45056
United States of America
On the memo line on your check, please indicate "The Michael Hayes Scholarship Fund".
The Miami University Foundation is 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Please consult your tax adviser for more information about how to deduct charitable contributions from your taxes.
AND A MILLION THANKS TO THE BROTHERS OF DELTA SIGMA PI WHO ANNUALLY SPONSOR "THE MIKE HAYES 5k RACE" TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN MIKE'S NAME. THIS YEAR'S RACE IS SUNDAY, APRIL 10 ON CAMPUS AT MIAMI UNIVERSITY, OXFORD OH. PLEASE BEAM GOOD KARMA THAT WAY FOR GOOD WEATHER!!!
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Who We AreLarry Hayes Partners, LLC is a Coaching organization, working with private and corporate clients in the areas of Leadership Development and Business Development. We work with leadership teams, high potential talent, and sales people and teams to help them clearly define goals for growth and change, develop action plans, anticipate and work through obstacles, implement actions and measure results. Additionally we are available to do keynote presentations at meetings and conferences, and facilitate offsite meetings. If it is time for you or someone in your organization to work on new goals and change, contact us. Our first session is complimentary. You can see more on our website: Larry Hayes Partners
Sincerely,
Larry Hayes, CPC
Executive Coach and President
Larry Hayes Partners, LLC
 
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