Articles about Executive Coaching
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein
This well used quote is oh so true. It seems obvious on the first reading but at certain times we all fall into the trap and feel like we’re hitting our head against a brick wall.
Repeatedly doing something the same way will give the same result-to get a better job, to find fulfilment, to meet our full potential we need to have a rethink to re-evaluate and plan our next steps with a clear focus on what is going to get us to where we want to be. In the various component parts of our lives we have to balance the security of routine with curiosity. There can be many conflicting priorities but always remember that:-
Taking a risk and failing is better than not trying at all-true!
Coaching, unlike counselling looks forward. It parks where we are now and explores alternative avenues. The whole experience, although challenging at times is very positive. It can make you feeling control once again and give you that confidence and motivation to do what is important and to realise your full potential
Coaching helps you to identify and understand your habits, whether labelled good or bad, as well as those limiting beliefs that can be the barrier to achievement. Using a range of coaching tools and appropriate questioning techniques the process enables you to explore and decide the best, alternative ways to move forward and plan how to embark on that journey, it what timescales. The process, provided by coaching, frees you to reach your goals and meet your full potential.
Have you found yourself in this situation? Would you like help?
I can help you identify the situation you would like to change and find a way forward by taking you through my coaching process. I can provide the safe, positive, non judgemental space for you to work out your next steps that will meet your needs and enable you to move forward with confidence and renewed motivation.
Are you concerned that you may be made redundant?
Have you been served with notice of redundancy? Are you trying to cope with the fact that you have been made redundant?
Redundancy - A Fact of Life
Redundancy is a fact of life today-it is much more common in recent years, so we need to be prepared to manage the experience to our advantage and not go into victim mode.
There are the sensible practical steps that everyone in this position should take, for example:
1. Has your company complied with employment legislation? You can take legal advise, you could approach your union representative or make an appointment at your local citizens advice bureau or search online.
2. Have you made appropriate financial plans-it’s important to have your pension plan in place to have a budget that you can manage long term be assured that you can provide for those you have a responsibility to. You can take financial advise from a range of sources to deal with this area.
Both the legal and financial implications are important but certainly not the whole story…..we need to go through the phases of change. This is where Executive coaching comes into play. Redundancy is something that happens to us-generally it is not our choice. Dealing with change is a challenging process for most people, we tend to resist change as it can be extremely stressful. Some people immediately start looking for similar jobs elsewhere and take the first thing offered. This can manage the financial situation but may not provide the best option for the long term.
Others give up and may get depressed, or worse as they do not recognise their actual worth.
Resentment, a very negative emotion can take over and this becomes a barrier to moving forward.
Being made redundant can be overwhelming only if you let it:
“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind I’d still be in prison” Nelson Mandela.
A little extreme to compare your redundancy with over 25 years of unjust imprisonment-the learning from this however, is that it is our mindset that traps us. How we actually react to a situation is what is most important. Now when an extremely traumatic or stressful situation event occurs, having some help to get you through can be really productive. Having someone to support you in an objective way can bring balance back to your life. Helen Furlong Executive Coaching provides this safe, positive and non judgemental space to explore what is important to you and to devise a plan of action by which to move forward and, probably best of all, can enable you to take back control.
If you want to discuss any of these points and think I can help I would be happy to hear from you.
Ready for a Change?
Many of my clients come to a point when they know that they want to change things in their lives but can’t quite articulate what that change should be or in what direction they need to go.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO MAKE THE BEST OF YOURSELF?
This is not dissimilar to having a pain in your leg that an osteopath discovers is actually a problem in your spine. A problem in the workplace needs careful analysis to determine what has happened and more importantly your options to move forward.
Three things to consider to get you on the right track for YOU.
1. What do you need to do to make a change?
Change often brings with it negative connotations -this is a mindset. Change seen as an exciting starting point feels a whole lot more palatable than the feeling that something has been imposed on you.
Just by swapping the way you think about change can open up a far more positive and generally productive mindset.
Clients have often settled for an unsatisfactory role because moving outside of their comfort zone is a risk they have not felt able to take. Building confidence, appreciating your own talents and deciding to move forward can be exhilarating.
2. Consider the best way to move forward
The route to take is not always obvious. There are often a series of options that may not be immediately apparent - researching alternative routes will help crystallise your thinking and highlight all the skills and attributes you have to offer.
At times we can feel we have lost control of our destiny. It is easy to feel that things have been done to us. A shift in our thinking can make the process of change much more rewarding. Feeling in control helps increase confidence and builds resilience - both important factors in achieving a successful outcome.
3. Timing
Get the timing right and things fall nicely into place - unfortunately the reverse in also true! It’s all in the planning. You will know people who have meticulously plotted their career then market forces or personal circumstances have overridden their plans.
It is imperative to be flexible and a realistic approach is essential. Having a broad plan of action with all the component parts in place, enables you to react and develop effectively rather than allowing the shifting sands of circumstance to take over.
Working with a coach can enable you to get these three areas lined up, to your benefit.
I can help you by giving you a level of objectivity and independent space to think. I would guide you through a series of pertinent questions using coaching techniques which will prove an excellent investment in terms of both your time and potential.
Why not get in touch to chat about whether coaching could work for you - no cost or obligation?
Do’s and Do nots for Dealing with Redundancy
The workplace is an ever changing environment so we need to be adaptable and flexible to remain a productive, valued, member of the workforce, whatever position held in the organisation.
Certain changes and particularly finance driven initiatives tend towards restructuring the outcome of which is potentially to achieve more for less, that is, greater productivity from fewer staff.
The fact of life is that any one of us can find our job ‘at risk’. The post to be deleted from the employment structure. It’s how we deal with this experience that makes the difference. It’s essentialto manage yourself, your team, your exit with professional dignity to ensure the maximum of future opportunities are in place and the negative impact is minimised…..
“Easier said than done” I hear you say!
Do’s
remember it’s the post being deleted-not you!
stay objective
stay confident of your own ability
take time to consider your next steps
seek impartial advise-check your rights.
consider ALL your options
Do nots
take it as personal slight.
internalise your emotions
undervalue what you have to offer
rush into decisions
rely on hearsay for your facts
feel you have to apply for anything going
The main thing is too take back the control, make a plan of action as you would any work project and investigate thoroughly your current position to ensure you are being treated appropriately, your union or professional body can be excellent resources or turn to a Human Resources expert or an advise agency like the CAB.
Then set aside time to explore all your options. Ask the questions:-
Do I need to get another full time job?
Does my next position need to be in the same industry?
Is now the time to consider developing my hobby into paid work?
Could I take a sabbatical?
When you have honestly answered these questions then take time out to consider:-
What would make me happy?
From this exercise you should be able to determine what is your best path at this time….there are no right or wrong answers, we’re all individual in our needs, wants, motivators and drivers. We have our own set of responsibilities. This could be the push you required to fulfil that life long dream, it could however feel like the worst thing that’s ever happened to you. Wherever you are help is always at hand but you need to be in the right frame of mind to accept it.
What’s the worst that can happen?
It’s time to take a risk and seek that independent view to ensure your get the best from a bad situation possible. If you would like to know more about how coaching can help you, do get in touch with me.
New Year, new plan, how to achieve a work/life balance
We all tend to take stock at this time of year and plan to make certain adjustments to get our lives on track for the New Year.
We make resolutions of things we’re going to start (a new exercise class) and things we’re going tostop (drinking alcohol, smoking or eating chocolate!).
We may even think about kick-starting our careers -going for that promotion, retraining or volunteering opportunities to enhance the CV.
How long these changes last and how far we get with our new intentions is a test of character! In fact, many people chose not to make New Year's resolutions because year upon year they haven't managed to achieve them. A classic fear of failure.
How to make sure you're not in that position, once again, this time next year.
I wish you all the best for 2016 - if going through this list raises any questions for you then docontact me and I’ll be happy to help you work to achieve the work/life balance you deserve this year.
Visualise how you’ll feel when your goals are achieved and hold onto that thought of wellbeing.
Think about what is important to you and choose your priorities.
Decide to take control of your choices for 2016 to achieve a healthy work/life balance.
Check your plans now, be realistic as to what can be achieved. Small steps lead to big results.
Be clear about how you plan to meet your goals and the time frame - remember SMART
SMART is:-
S-Specific
M-Measureable
A-Attainable
R-Relevant
T-TimelyIdentify the likely pitfalls that could derail you and how you can work around them.
Celebrate noticeable changes and goals as you achieve them.
Be kind to yourself and remember martyrdom can be difficult for those around you.
If you falter you can always start again -missing one class doesn’t mean you can’t go again!
If you'd like to know more about coaching, do get in touch with me