What Does A Coach Do Anyway?

“Coaching helps you develop your leadership skills, clarify your values and guiding principles, and build your reputation.” – John G. Agno

I’ve noticed that when I introduce myself to strangers at networking events, one of the first questions they ask me when learning that I’m a Leadership and Teambuilding Coach is, “How interesting. What does a coach do anyway?” I’d like to take time in this week’s newsletter to offer a bit of insight as to what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ in how I help my clients step up, claim their power and go from good to great leaders.

What is Coaching?

Coaching in my books is defined as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.

Coaching honors the client as the expert in his/her life and work and believes that every client is creative, resourceful, and whole.

As a leadership and teambuilding coach, my responsibility is to:

• Get clear about their goals
• Encourage client self-discovery;
• Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies; and
• Hold the client responsible and accountable.

How Do Coaching Sessions Work?

Coaching can be done over the phone or in person. The person coached completes a coaching prep form prior to each call or visit, describing the current challenges and the progress they’ve made since we last talked. The focus of the session is determined by the client and it’s my job to help them solve the problems and make the most of the opportunities. If a client is taking on a large goal, I help them design the project and provide the support and structure needed to make sure it gets done on time.

I strive to bring out the client’s best by offering feedback, helping them strategize, and celebrating the wins. There is often “fieldwork”, where the client is given a formula, new perspective or a challenge to try something in a new way. That forms the basis for progress and the next session.

How Can an Executive/Manager/Business Owner Benefit From Coaching?

Coaching creates an environment where there is freedom from judgment and freedom from expectations that the executive behave according to typical corporate mandates. In this environment it is safe to question, to appear vulnerable, to observe, to explore, experiment, to learn and to change. That allows the executive to use me as a coach to…

• Reach high targets and quotas. Accomplishing this consistently requires a manager who also coaches the team to work together to reach extraordinary goals.
• For business planning, budgeting and goal-setting.
• To integrate business and personal life for balance.
• To prioritize actions and projects.
• For training, developing and managing staff.
• To turn around a difficult situations.
• To handle business or personal problems.

Why Is Coaching So Successful?

Coaching works when there are two factors present: 1) The client is willing to grow, and 2) There is a gap between where they are now and where they want to be.

Successful coaching clients know the value of sharing ideas with someone who understands them and is subjective enough to want a lot for them, yet objective enough not to be biased or self-serving. Just talking about options with someone who can listen and offer constructive feedback is often enough to have the overall picture or direction for their business become very clear.

Here are just a few of the many benefits of working with a successful business/leadership/teambuilding coach:

• IMPROVE executives/manager’s ability to lead and delegate
• IDENTIFY big visions
• CREATE value based leadership skills
• BRIDGE the gap between goals and actions
• IGNITE productivity and effectiveness
• BUILD negotiating skills and manage conflicts
• DEVELOP a heightened sense of confidence
• COORDINATE action more effectively
• STAY calm and focused when under pressure
• MAKE sound decisions quickly and efficiently
• CREATE cohesive, productive, powerful teams
• CONQUER overwhelm
• REDUCE stress

Every day I work with women and men just like you! They have a burning desire to create successful businesses and productive teams… they understand the enormous value of working closely with a successful mentor… and they are eager to master powerful tools and tactics to boost business and team success.

Thank you for taking the time to read more about what it is that I do for my clients on a daily basis. I hope I’ve demystified what the process of coaching involves so that you, my valued readers, can decide if hiring a coach is a good fit for getting you to where you want to be in your business or career.

And if you’re still trying to figure out if coaching is right for you, email me at Cookie@CookieTuminello.com, to schedule a complimentary Get Acquainted Session today.

Love ya,

PS:  Keep up with Cookie during the week… Join my Facebook family!

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© 2009 Success Source, LLCWANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Cookie Tuminello, THE Team Builder of the South, has been empowering teams and igniting productivity since 1999. Learn more about how Cookie empowers CEO’s, managers, business owners, and team members in her FREE Report “50 Ways To Go From Overwhelmed to Empowered” and receive weekly Success Tips at www.CookieTuminello.com.WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? See Cookie’s Blog

 

 

Success Source Turns 10 Years Old Tomorrow!

I’d like to share with you an event that’s happening this week that I’m extremely proud of.

There is going to be an official ribbon cutting ceremony held at the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday, Oct. 28th, at 10:00 am to celebrate the 10th year anniversary of my opening my business. This is a milestone that I only dreamed of back in 1999 when I took the plunge into entrepreneurship. I am truly grateful to all my clients and to you, my subscribers, for helping me to realize my dreams of becoming a successful coach. I couldn’t have done it without you.

And speaking of coaching, I thought it was appropriate that I write an article in this week’s Team Up With Cookie to address the question I get asked all the time, namely “What Does A Coach Do Anyway?” I can’t think of a more fitting topic to talk about as it ties in beautifully with my anniversary celebrations.

So, if you’d like to join me at the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce this Wednesday at 10:00 am, drop me an email and I’ll be happy to give you all the details.

Have a prosperous and productive week!

Love ya,

PS:  Keep up with Cookie during the week… Join my Facebook family!

5 Surefire Signs You’re In Denial In Your Business

“It’s not denial. I’m just selective about the reality I accept.” – Bill Watterson

I think I’m having another Wake Up Alice/Alex moment. It’s time to come out of Wonderland people.How many of you are playing the role of King or Queen of Denial? You know, that’s when you think that if you don’t address a problem in your business it will go away. NOT!

You keep thinking that if you just work harder everything is going to get better, and miraculously your employees are going to get the message and do their part too. That would be another big NOT!

When was the last time you took a good hard look at your business? And I don’t just mean the bottom line on your balance sheet or bank account. Sometimes what you think is the reality may not always be an accurate observation. Sometimes we may need a little support seeing things from a different perspective.

Here are 5 surefire signs that you are living in ‘Denial-Land’ about your business:

1. Not recognizing when something is not working. You know that your product/service isn’t selling as well as it could be, plus you’ve heard rumblings of discontent from your team members around the water cooler. Yet what happens here is that you think the Good Business Fairy is going to make a surprise visit to your company, sprinkle magic dust, and miraculously your offerings are going to start flying off the shelf. Plus your team members are all going to come to work each morning wearing huge smiles and be chock-full of enthusiasm. Secluding yourself in your office and refusing to acknowledge that your business has problems isn’t going to fix anything. You need to face facts, figure out what isn’t working, and then make an action plan to address the problems before your business becomes another sad statistic.
2. Not taking necessary steps to change what’s not working. Okay, so you’ve identified what needs to be fixed and you put off doing something about it until tomorrow… and then the next day… then the next week… See where I’m going with this? No one likes change as it requires work, but when you’re in business, you need to be open to adapting new directions and concepts. Digging your heels in and saying things like, “Well, that’s how I’ve always done it in the past” isn’t going to cure the problems you’re facing today. If your product or service isn’t selling well, determine whether the cause is internal or external. If your team is not performing at optimum level, sit them down and find out what’s working and not working. You won’t know until you ask, so take the bull by the horns, move forward, and take action.
3. Not knowing your market and their challenges. You can have the absolute best product/service in the world, but who are you going to sell it to? Not knowing who your ideal client is and the problems your offerings are going to solve in their life is a huge mistake a lot of business owners make. Do an online survey of a random section of your potential clients. Ask them detailed questions to see if indeed that 30-40 year old woman, married with 1 child, working a full-time job, making $45K a year is interested in your newest mousetrap. You might be surprised at the answers you’ll get from surveys IF you ask the right questions.
4. Thinking your business is different than the other businesses out there. “Oh, that marketing approach won’t work for me because my business is different.” Really. You’d be surprised at how many times I hear that statement. If you’re in business, you’re in it to make money… period. If you’re not in business to make a living, then you’re a charitable organization. Don’t get me wrong here. I have the utmost respect for charitable companies, but if you’re an entrepreneur, then this is not the direction you want to take for your business. Whether you sell apples or advice is irrelevant, as having sound business practices and leadership skills in place applies to ALL business owners. We all need to network, have effective advertising/marketing collateral, and we all need clients. You as a person may be different, but the operation of your business isn’t.
5. Expecting your team and clients to be mind readers. Everyone is guilty of this step at some point. You tell “Jane” to take care of a certain project and then act surprised when 3 weeks later it isn’t completed. Hello! Did you give her explicit instructions on what you wanted done? Better yet, do you have an open door policy where if she ran into difficulty, she’d feel comfortable coming to you for more direction? I’ve yet to meet a bone fide mind reader, but I have met a lot of ‘guesstimators’ – people who ‘think’ they know what their leader is looking for and unfortunately fall flat on their face because they miss the target. Be clear and concise when giving directions to your team. Don’t make them do their job based on assumptions as well all know that happens in that scenario.

I know these steps might seem like a lot of work to you, but keeping your business on track requires work… period. And if you as the team leader, aren’t effectively leading the team, who is?

If you need help getting back on track in your business, email me at info@CookieTuminello.com for a Get Acquainted Session today.

Have a prosperous and productive week!

Love ya,

PS: Keep up with Cookie during the week… Join my Facebook family!

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© 2009 Success Source, LLC

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Cookie Tuminello, THE Team Builder of the South, has been empowering teams and igniting productivity since 1999. Learn more about how Cookie empowers CEO’s, managers, business owners, and team members in her FREE Report “50 Ways To Go From Overwhelmed to Empowered” and receive weekly Success Tips at www.CookieTuminello.com.

2 Steps That Will Motivate Your Team

“Teams do not go physically flat, they go mentally stale.” – Vincent Lombardi

In the midst of this recession in our country, company sales are down, layoffs are eminent, job security is dictated by numbers, and the remaining staff is overworked, overwhelmed, just trying to keep things going. And to top it off employee morale is at an all time low.

So, how do you keep employee morale up in a down economy?

Getting and keeping clients happy right now is always a number one concern, but what are you doing to make sure your employees are happy and productive? Your team members want to know two things: they want to know they matter, and they want to know, (and feel), they are making a contribution. If you, as a team leader, are grumpy, resigned, and basically on auto pilot and not paying attention, then what kind of message are you sending?

Now is the time for you to be having conversations to find out what excites and motivates them, what keeps them going. Because if you don’t, you could lose your key people and that is definitely not something you want happening in any type of economy. Plus keep in mind that businesses thrive on building and keeping win-win relationships, customers, and employees.

You can have all the incentive plans in the world in place in your business, but if you don’t know what makes your staff tick, you are dead in the water. If you want to know what it takes to keep them happy campers, then you are going to have to ask them.

There are three kinds of motivators: money, time, and recognition. Which one puts a smile on your team’s face?

Here are 2 basic steps to keeping your employees from going mentally ‘stale’ and unproductive:

1. Ask questions and be willing to listen to their answers. Keep in mind you are building trust with your employees. If you have valuable employees, you want to do your part to keep them happy, productive, and working as a cohesive team. Remember it costs more to hire and train new employees than to retain the great ones you already have in your business.
2. Be willing to make the changes necessary to create a happy, productive, positive environment for your employees. I’m not just talking about buying coffee and donuts for the team every Friday here. You need to know each individual’s particular personality and what they need to hear or get from you – basically which one of the 3 motivators I mentioned above that gets their creative juices flowing.

You’ve heard the saying, “When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Well, the same is true for your team. They are the foundation that keeps your company viable through thick and thin. And when it is all said and done, by knowing the motivators that keep your team satisfied, you will create more sustainable results and greater success in your business in every economic condition.

If you’re having trouble trying to figure out how to keep your employees motivated and productive, email me at info@CookieTuminello.com for a Get Acquainted Session today.

Have a prosperous and productive week!

Love ya,

PS:  Keep up with Cookie during the week… Join my Facebook family!

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© 2009 Success Source, LLC

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Cookie Tuminello, THE Team Builder of the South, has been empowering teams and igniting productivity since 1999. Learn more about how Cookie empowers CEO’s, managers, business owners, and team members in her FREE Report “50 Ways To Go From Overwhelmed to Empowered” and receive weekly Success Tips at www.CookieTuminello.com.

What Comes after Email and Best Industries for Startups?

Hi Everyone,

It seems that I’m not the only one making thinking about the importance of lifting employee’s spirits in this down economy, so is INC. magazine and the Baltimore Sun.  Check out this article from the Baltimore Sun and see what other Leaders and HR Managers are doing to promote morale and productivity.

How to lift your employees’ sagging spirits. With the barrage of bad economic news, many companies have morale problems.

Today’s Baltimore Sun takes a look at one entrepreneur’s efforts to keep his employees upbeat and positive. Not surprisingly, the most important recommendation in the article is to keep your employees apprised of how the business is doing. That’s especially true when the business isn’t doing particularly well. As one HR consultant explains, “It may not make them happy and glowing necessarily, but it provides something to think about even in a tough time and it also creates a tie between the company and the employee.”

Click here to read the article!

The 7 Word Sentence That Can Sabotage Your Success

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

Would you like to know the #1 reason why CEO’s, business owners, and managers get so bogged down and end up sabotaging their own success?

It’s a simple 7 word sentence that speaks volumes about you and how you operate your business, and that sentence is, “No thanks, I can do it myself.” Not only do you believe you can do every single thing without anyone’s help, you often don’t want to relinquish control over your business/company and the day to day operations. In fact, that is the one thing you have to become more skilful at doing in order to be the big thinker and implement strategies to create a well-oiled operation.

In order to achieve the high level of success that you desire, you must be willing to ask and accept SUPPORT from your team.

I frequently hear two complaints from my clients: 1 – “I have too much to do,” and 2 – “I’m not getting the results I want from my team.” When I start probing and asking questions, I find out that one of two things are happening in their business: either they’re not delegating or they’re micro-managing their team. Both can wreak havoc in your business.

Let me spell it out for you.

Delegation. When you become the leader, you go from being task oriented to that of a visionary. In order to do that, you have to be willing to ask for SUPPORT. And that means that you have to let go of the day to day details. For some letting go of certain tasks can be daunting. Why? Because we think that it will take too long to explain it to someone or they won’t do it right, so we just do it ourselves. I can promise you that kind of thinking will cause you a whole lot of havoc and you’ll end up doing 15 things at once.

Micro-managing is when you give “Jane” a specific task to do and then you constantly check to see if she is performing the work to your standards. You even go so far as to give her ‘helpful hints’ on what she should be doing… according to your vision. When you assign work to members on your team, stand back and let them do their job! Definitely set guidelines for progress and completion. Always let them know that they can come to you if they need SUPPORT or have further questions. Don’t stifle their creativity and enthusiasm by constantly looking over their shoulder as they do their work. I’m sure you have better things to do with your time.

Here are 2 sure-fire solutions to role modeling great leadership practices:

1. First and foremost, remember that you will get more accomplished and achieve better results when you work as a team. Notice that the word ‘I’ doesn’t appear in the word ‘team.’ Alone, you can only do so much, but by enrolling others in your vision you can accomplish much more and in a shorter time period.
2. Learn how to make effective requests. Leaders often don’t get the results they want because they are not specific. Requests have to have 4 components – a speaker, a listener, action to be performed, and a time frame to be completed. Give clear instructions for their performance on the project. You don’t have to tell them how to do it, but you do have to tell them what you want and by when.

When you incorporate these practices, you become a purpose driven leader as opposed to crisis manager. You’ll achieve more productivity, more effectiveness, more success, with a lot less stress if you incorporate these steps in your daily business operation.

And if you’re having trouble asking for support and need some direction, email me for a Get Acquainted Session today at: Info@CookieTuminello.com

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© 2009 Success Source, LLCWANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Cookie Tuminello, THE Team Builder of the South, has been empowering teams and igniting productivity since 1999. Learn more about how Cookie empowers CEO’s, managers, business owners, and team members in her FREE Report “50 Ways To Go From Overwhelmed to Empowered” and receive weekly Success Tips at www.CookieTuminello.com.

Did You Hear My Recent Interview With Coach Lee?

Life just keeps getting better and better. Another productive, prosperous, fun week for me. I was interviewed on my friend, Rachelle Disbennet Lee’s Blog Radio Show, ‘Live The Day with Coach Lee.’ During the call I shared my 5 steps to go “From Overwhelmed to Results.”

Psst! I recommend you listen to it. I shared some great tips in that interview and you can listen to it for FREE – Click here to listen.

I also had the pleasure of speaking to members of the New Iberia Business Advisory Committee.

But wait there’s more. I finished out the week with a photo shoot for FACE Magazine. I have a regular column in FACE and it was time for new pictures. Here’s a picture of Amanda Bedgood (FACE Magazine Editor) and I in the courtyard of the Carriage House. She is such a sweetheart and I just love working with her. Be sure to check out my monthly column in FACE magazine!

Success Principle: The 7 Word Sentence That Can Sabotage Your Success.

Would you like to know the #1 reason why CEO’s, business owners, and managers get so bogged down and end up sabotaging their own success?

It’s a simple 7 word sentence that speaks volumes about you and how you operate your business, and that sentence is… Read more…

Have a prosperous and productive week.

Love ya,

PS:  Keep up with Cookie during the week… Join my Facebook family!