Golden Visions and Associates | Coaching for Success
Thought for the Week
Your Success Thought for the Week of April 14, 2010
Breathe A Sign of Relief

Imagine a bright red helium balloon floating purposefully above a sea of brilliantly-colored blue, green and yellow balloons. All sway uniformly in the gentle wind, like a well-choreographed dance.  Every one knows its place.

 

Now imagine a gust of wind infiltrating the pack, scattering the balloons in all directions.  To gain control, the red balloon takes on more and more air until it will either burst from taking too much in, or begin to let air out to gain composure.

 

This scenario is not unlike what many of our business and corporate leaders have been exposed to the last few years. 

 

For decades, their businesses were growing steadily year-by-year, decade-by-decade.  Then the economy smashed in like a burst of wind and the old way of doing things along with profits scattered. 

 

To cope, leaders took on more pressure, creating stress to the point of bursting. 

Those around them saw the warning signs in poor decisions, in waning confidence. If only the leaders could see the picture looking in.

 

Deep into my twelfth year of leadership coaching, I am more convinced than ever that to be truly effective, leaders need someone on the outside looking in. 

 

In the first few months of working with a new leader, I hear a

profound sigh of relief.

He or she learns that they don't have to do it all on their own.

Ahhhhhhh!

 

Leadership is no easy endeavor.  Those who take on the daunting task are to be admired, not criticized.  As with everyone, leaders make mistakes. Theirs are more noticeable with scrutinizing people all around.

 

Here are some of the gifts I give my clients.  Perhaps you know a leader in need of support and you can offer similar gifts:

 

  • Trusted Advisor:  Leaders need someone with whom to confide and brainstorm.  They don't want to look vulnerable in not having the answers.  This is not the role of a spouse or friend.  They simply need a safe environment in which to explore options, hear themselves talk out loud, see their challenges and opportunities through different lenses.

 

  • Honest Advisor:  It's lonely at the top.  The higher up the success ladder leaders go, the more difficult it is to find someone who will tell them the truth - what they need to know, not what they want to hear.

 

  • Experienced Advisor:  Those in the same industry are typically not equipped to stretch a leader's thinking.  Having coached leaders in diverse fields, I've learned first hand what works and doesn't work so well with common challenges such as: creating vision, inspiring change, motivating teams, exceeding customer satisfaction. Its fun for me to bring other leader's solutions to the table to see what may work.

 

If you are a leader whose balloon is about to pop, ask for help to let some air out and breathe a sigh of relief. No matter where you are, I am a click away.

 

If you witness a leader whose balloon is about to pop, pass this Success Thought along to them so they know help is just a click away.  Or, pick one of the above gifts of coaching and do what you can to support your diligent, deserving leader.

If you are challenged with this concept of 'seeing the full picture looking in,' begin with taking small steps.  Hire one of our coaches to guide you.  At GV&A, we have a variety of skilled, talented, certified coaches to serve you.  It can be fun and easier than you think to attain the success you are after.


Enjoy your discoveries and have a grand week.


Ann

To see more of my published articles, including ''The Ethics of Coaching," go to:Golden Visions & Associates, Coaching for Executive and Leadership Success

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Permission is granted to either reproduce copy or distribute "Your Success Thought for the Week" for April 14, 2010 as long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached. The author is Ann Golden Egl�, GV&A, Golden Visions & Associates, Coaching for Success, 541.385.8887, PO Box 1696, Bend, Or. 97709. www.GVAsuccess.com