"Most folks are about as happy as they want to be."  This observation by Abraham Lincoln offers a multitude of reminders for each of us as we make our way through the accelerating demands of our busy lives. At its most basic level, the observation reminds us that when it comes to our happiness, we do in fact have a choice. At an even deeper level, it reminds us as leaders that the choices we make especially about our outlook and attitude have a far reaching impact not just on our lives but on the lives of those we are called to lead.

Few leaders I've met over my career are immune to the almost daily barrage of negative self-talk. Even the most optimistic leaders I know are quick to acknowledge that they have moments of self-doubt often fueled by negative self-talk. While this is a reality that few of us can escape, highly effective leaders make a deliberate effort to manage their self-talk. They intentionally choose to feed their minds positive thoughts that in turn not only help to keep their self-doubt in check but also help them and their teams to see a broader range of possibilities.   

Consider the Story of the Two Wolves. The story is told ...
 

Today more than ever before, leaders at all levels are called upon to continuously develop their team's capacity to succeed. Often, a key differentiator between high performing teams and others is the leader's ability to effectively address the coaching and development needs of each employee. Beyond the ability to respond to a wide range of development issues, today's successful leader must also be able to adapt to the learning styles of each team member. In this action oriented and hands-on workshop, participants explore a wide range of coaching insights that help foster a proactive development environment. From building a skill baseline to exploring the links to long term success, the program provides leaders with an actionable framework for improving the employee development process. The program includes all materials and assessments including the Coaching Effectiveness Inventory (CEI), the Career Readiness Profile (CRP) and the Leader's Coaching Game Plan. In addition to creating a framework for understanding the leadership coaching process, the program provides tips and techniques for immediate skill application. Participants are also provided with the opportunity to develop an employee specific coaching plan.