Dear Business Owner/Executive,
We live in a busy world where chaos seems to be the norm. Change is expected and not always welcomed. Results we predicted are not happening. Customers, both internally and externally, are demanding more without necessarily giving anything back. We are left questioning our decisions on a daily basis.
Because of this phenomenon, more and more busy executives are hiring coaches as part of their business strategy. Nine out of ten companies now offer coaching to executives according to a recent study of 488 HR professionals by Lee Hecht Harrison, an international outplacement and career services firm.
Respondents indicated that coaching is provided for leadership development (70%), skill or style development (64%) and to retain top talent (40%).
SeibCo, LLC has been achieving results by positively impacting our customers’ bottom line for over 7 years. Specializing in straight talk with immediate results, SeibCo, LLC has coached executives and business owners to “get out of their own way” and succeed.
As a result, executives, managers and employees effectively communicate with each other; they productively work with others to get the job done successfully; and confidently hire the right person for the right job.
If you have any questions or would like a free one-hour consultation, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
JEANNETTE L. SEIBLY
Principal
P.S. The following is a reprint from The Insider Journal (June 16-29, 2000) offering some suggestions on Balancing Chaos in Your Life while achieving the results you need as a busy business executive.
Balancing Chaos in Your Life
There are times in a professional person’s life, when he wonders if he’s in the right career, if she owns the right company, and are they making the right decisions. Or, knows this is not the right career, boss, company, and/or employees. It makes a person wonders if it’s better to shuck it all and be a beach bum in Key West. This happens to most professionals, from time-to-time, throughout any organization.
Why? We live in a busy world where chaos is the norm. Change is expected and not always welcomed. Results we predicted are not happening. Customers, both internally and externally, are demanding more without necessarily giving anything back. We are left questioning our decisions on a daily basis.
Chaos isn't part of our natural life style as human beings. Chaos leaves most of us feeling out of sync and out of balance. We feel that we have no control. The harder we fight for control, the tighter we hold onto what we already have. It’s easier to live with what we already have because change brings forth the unknown. This also makes it harder for others to work with us. “I don't have time, just do it the way I said.” “That’s the way it always been done.” “It won't happen until I'm ready.” “I don't want to get involved, I have enough to worry about.” Employees, on the receiving end, are left feeling their opinions don't count and their bosses don't care about them.
How do we, as busy professionals, get out of the way to achieve our own success and the success of others? How do we continue becoming more effective in a global economy where the rules change daily? With all these changes, can we truly find balance and enjoy our work, families and lifestyles?
"Life is a process not an event," a job coach once told a budding entrepreneur. The woman responded, "That’s fine. But I want it now."
Life can be like a hamster on an exercise wheel. The wheel doesn't stop going around unless we know how to stop it. Most people spend their lives almost getting there, maybe tomorrow, maybe I'll have better luck some other day. There’s no enjoyment in that. We forget life is the process of getting there. A company president once said to his wife, “Yes, I do want the big house, the pool, the fancy car, etc.; however, I want to enjoy the ride of getting there.”
So, how do we control the chaos around us and bring balance into our lives?
Hire a Coach. Coaching works because the partnership is win-win for the individual as well as the company. It brings out the best in the individual and reinforces it. People revert back to their old methods and styles when under stress. Through listening and customization, the coach and individual develop solutions and strategies that are critical to ongoing success.
A client was lamenting that he wanted to be a millionaire. He dreaded the thought of the 6 more years it would take before he could afford to retire at age 45. Through coaching, he clarified his strengths and weaknesses, focused on his goals and the goals of the company, including his bosses’ goals. He was moving forward and enjoying it again. Then, the old behavior kicked back in. He wanted to work more closely with his employees on a daily basis. The coach reminded him that he did not enjoy working with people 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. The coachee said, “Thanks, keep reminding me.” He’s enjoying himself again (and, others who work with him!). With the promotion he received, he’s back on-track toward achieving his million-dollar goal.
Take risks. Doing what you've always done and expecting different results is a definition of insanity. Yet, we do this as human beings. It’s comfortable. We don't have to worry about the unknown variables change can bring. Or we think we are trying something different when in reality we really aren't. Resolution comes out of dealing with old issues in a new way.
Balance all of your life. The mark of a healthy and successful champion is someone who effectively balances his or her professional, personal, spiritual, financial, social, and mental lives. S/he lives life as one person. Ever hear someone say, “I'm different at home, than I am at work.” It’s the mark of a person who’s not comfortable with who they are, trying to appease others. The key to balance is being at peace with yourself. Getting it out of your head and onto paper through journaling will help the process go smoother. Talking it out weekly with a trusted advisor or coach will help the process go quicker. Being willing to make changes, no matter how small are critical to any success.
Start with a vision. Who I am? What do I want out of life? Be clear as to your values. Clarify what is important to you. Many companies today recognize that the traditional way of working is no longer working. Women and men are working part-time, working from home, going back to school or going on sabbaticals as well as taking the “mommy/daddy-track.” Companies are learning new ways of keeping valued employees who will not work 50 to 60 hours weekly. So don't be afraid to ask for what you need and develop a win-win outcome with your company.
Have compassion for others. Stop expecting others to see life as you do. Recently on Oprah, a woman was lamenting that she saw life in a positive way; yet by the end of the day, she was worn-out because others were being so negative. Being truly at peace with yourself does not require others to act in a specific way towards you. If others are constantly being negative, you may need to reassess how your attitude and behavior are causing this to happen to you.
Be good to yourself. Learn to look for easier and effective ways. Being effective is not about being right. Apologize to your spouse, customer, boss, co-worker or employee for any misunderstandings, now! Do the best job you can. Take time to do the things you enjoy. Enjoy your family. Hearing your child say, “you're the bestest mom/dad” or an employee say, “thank you for the extra time off to care for my dying aunt” are rewards that cannot be bought.
Achieving a balanced lifestyle allows you to enjoy the process of “getting there.”
Copyright, Jeannette L. Seibly, 2000
