Personal Development Archives - Page 15 of 16 - Smart Coaching and Training

31/01/2017 By Isla Baliszewska

Leadership – ‘C-me’ Style

Leadership C-me style

It is so easy to slot into ‘this must be me’, to believe in the stereotype, to accept the personality type designated, default to what is expected, to become the mistress or master of illusion with ‘Once I …. then I will’ ….. rather than to survey the landscape and what lives there and ask

What will suit this best?

What is working well?

What could work even better?

How can I, as a leader, work with the actual material rather than wish it were different?

How to create the climate to significantly improve the landscape?

How willing am I as a leader to put ‘me’ on one side and step into the shoes of the other – to discover what the landscape of the organisation / team / board / department looks like from that perspective?

How willing am I to listen?

How willing am I to use my preferences to understand others preferences?’

C-me Colour profiling describes characteristics of the 4 colour preferences as follows:

Logical and analytical – Enjoys problem solving – Needs time for reflection – Realistic – Sorts out the details – Strong sense of duty – Structured and disciplined

Bold and determined – Confident and optimistic – Enjoys stretching goals – Leads from the front – Sets a winning mentality – Thinks big – Direct and to the point

Considerate and caring – Genuine concern for colleagues –Avoids conflict -Involves others in decisions – Respects others values – Supportive and loyal – Works for a democratic solution

Free spirited – Friendly and optimistic – Generous and open-minded – Inspirational and visionary – Looks on the bright side – Positive outlook – Spontaneous and imaginative

Each colour has its positive and least positive attributes. Each colour is perfect for whatever one wants to achieve providing one is prepared to shift perspective in order to see or recognise it.

For example, every leader needs to be able, agile, appreciative of when to call on the strength of a particular colour preference. Within C-me’s repertoire, which provides the natural and adapted or learned personas, the savvy leader has all the information at their finger-tips to decide or choose which preference or combination of preferences to use in a particular situation.

Coming clean about most effective and least effective ways to communicate is a great place to start. Want to find out more about C-me? Click here.

The elegance, the beauty, the magic of a personality profile is this: you are telling you who, what, how, why you are you? This is especially so if C-me Colour Profiling is used as it reveals preferences, gives insights into one’s natural and adapted or learned persona, provides clarity, challenges assumptions and provokes development potential.

C-me also highlights hidden potential – perfect for identifying routes to succession planning. It alludes to unique pairings of traits not usually recognised. C-me gives leaders both valuable information for their leadership development potential as well as that of colleagues and the competitive edge when dealing with clients and stakeholders, internal and external. Simply it is because knowing oneself better enables one to be more perceptive and insightful around others.

C-me gives an exclusive gift of vulnerability by virtue of the wealth of information it provides enabling a deeper level of honesty and trust to develop and engage with.

It sets the scene for high standards.

It’s a disruptor of the status quo.

Try It!

Halina Jaroszewska

05/01/2017 By Isla Baliszewska

Commitment vs resolutions – looking backwards to look forwards

Commitment vs resolutions

‘Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness …’

What transforms resolutions into actions? Is there a magic ingredient?

The popular tradition of making New Year resolutions has some of its origins in Ancient Babylon and Rome. The Babylonians would typically return farm equipment that they had borrowed during the year, while in Caesar’s time Janus became the symbol for resolutions because he had two faces that could look to the past and into the future.

The early Christians believed the first day of the New Year should be spent reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to improve oneself in the New Year. There is something about entering ‘into’ the New Year that has appealed to the people throughout the world and over the centuries, as a time for: considering new beginnings, doing things ‘right’ from this new day forward and setting out towards self-improvements.

‘Making resolutions is a cleansing ritual of self-assessment and repentance that demands personal honesty and, ultimately, reinforces humility. Breaking them is part of the cycle.’ Eric Zorn

Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits. And so it continues today as we make New Year resolutions to try and improve some aspect of ourselves in the coming year. We all get into the swing of things around the start of the year making resolutions that more often than not gradually fizzle out as the year gets underway. ‘A new year resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.’ Anon

However it still continues to be a tradition to make resolutions as the New Year begins. Mark Twain offers this perspective … ‘New year’s Day …. now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.’ In fact we often ask family, friends, colleagues what resolutions they are going to make. We often proudly announce the resolutions we are going to make. How often do we remember the ones from last year and challenge the resolution maker regarding a re-run in which nothing has changed during the past 12 months. They all sound good … but do they become good in reality? In fact, a recent study found that 22% of people give up on their resolution in the first week and by the end of March more than half of New Year resolvers have fallen off the bandwagon. Oscar Wilde declared that ‘Good resolutions are simply cheques that men draw on a bank where they have no account.’

So back to the dictionary to check what resolution actually means! And with thanks to dictionary.com … Resolution is from the Latin resolution, resolution – from resolvere meaning ‘to loosen or dissolve again,’ (re- + solver) which was the original meaning of resolve. The meaning ‘to determine or decide upon a course of action, etc.’ was first used in English around 1523. Interesting how the meanings of words subtly change over time.

So how does commitment fit into the picture? Has it a place in the drama that is called resolution? Well … in the words of Goethe ‘Whatever you can do or dream you can, Begin it. Boldness has genius, magic and power in it. Begin it now!’ And to continue the quote, created by WH Murray, that began this article ‘Concerning all acts of initiative and creation there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man or woman could have dreamed would have come their way.’

Merriam Webster Online dictionary describes commitment as ‘an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; especially: an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date b: something pledged c: the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled <a commitment to a cause>.’ Interesting how there is a formal element implied.

R + C + A = SR

Resolution (determine or decide) + Commitment (agreement, pledge, obligation) + Action = Successful Result.

How would it be if on the last stroke of midnight from Big Ben, not only did you declare your resolution/s but also made a commitment to yourself to take the first step towards a successful result this time? What would be the impact if you only made resolutions regarding things that truly touched your heart this time? If you not only declared them but also wrote them down with a date attached this time, how might that change your perspective? Who could you be if you always walked your talk? If you took R + C + A = SR into all areas of your life throughout the year how might that make a difference? If you only made resolutions, agreements, promises that were I alignment with your values what shift might that make possible?

Take a moment to consider this: if the resolutions you share in a moment of euphoria on New Year’s Eve or at the start of the year actually had a legal dimension attached to them, which would you still go for and which would you drop like hot potatoes?

You can also check out your R + C + A = SR by using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is highly unlikely and 10 is absolutely no question. You can also make your best guess as to which will stay the course.

The crucial aspect of this is to invite yourself to be your best success of the year. Begin it now! Let us help!

(first published January 2009 in Lloyds Banking Group’s The Sales Professional)

Halina Jaroszewska, PCC ICF Executive Development | Discovering the difference | Exploring Potential

04/12/2016 By Isla Baliszewska

Presents and Presence – the Values of Christmas

If your company was able to give something valuable this Christmas what would it be and to whom? What present would you be giving, and in that giving what presence would you be conveying?

We live in an age when businesses thrive on expressing the right values. These values should permeate throughout the business, internally and externally. Christmas presents an opportunity for companies to reflect their values against a background of the Season of giving, caring and sharing.

This Christmas some major household names have come a cropper by not thinking carefully about where their advertising presence is. John Lewis, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer have all been hauled over the Christmas coals for advertising through the Daily Mail, Daily Express and the Sun, publications that do not expound the same values as those proclaimed by these scions of British retail. The clash comes as these newspapers are seen to publish ‘dehumanising’ and ‘demonising’ articles which are directly opposed to the values touted in the advertisers’ Christmas campaigns.

Marks & Spencer includes these words in its mission statement: ‘quality, value, service, innovation and trust’ ; John Lewis’s principles mention ‘happiness, honesty, loyalty, trust, fairness’ – all the values that are intrinsic in the spirit of Christmas.

There is a lesson with the advertising hoo-ha, to keep a close eye on your business Presence and on your business Presents. If our values are the presents we would give our people, our customers, our stakeholders, our community, then we need to be present in the right places.

Let us all therefore consider the following before we offer something to our people, our customers, our ‘others’?

1. What are the values represented in our company’s mission?

2. What is the effect we intend our business to have on the world? (a Biggie!).

3. What is our promise?

4. What are our aspirations?

And knowing all the above…

5. What are we giving? What is our real present?

This Christmas, Smart Coaching and Training are giving to our customers the chance to gain a valuable insight into how their business could work better. Our present is a sample C-me profile to show how this can be achieved. This reflects our presence in the business support landscape as a provider of excellence in people development.

Now you may want to find out more so get in touch with us and we will help you explore some wonderful possibilities!

Isla Baliszewska 04 December 2016

28/09/2016 By Isla Baliszewska

Raising the Bar

Raising the bar – getting things into perspective for success

Discover how your perspective works: how it can help or hinder you. Discover how the lens through which you habitually see the world you inhabit helps or hinders you.

Take a few moments to reflect on the following

1. What has 2016 been like so far you?

2. How does it compare to other years?

3. In what ways has 2016: astonished you; fallen short of your expectations; shocked you; delivered more than you had imagined; seemed to be quite mundane; made you laugh; brought to the surface your worst fears; tickled you pink; highlighted your reasons why and why not; called forth your excellence.

4. What might you have missed or not noticed about 2016 that needs attention or change? How could you use your experience gained so far in 2016 to inform how you manage the last quarter of 2016?

This information simply captures perspectives which are one way to look at an issue or situation. You can choose to try on other perspectives which give more understanding or information. Powerful questions which are not always comfortable bring clarity and focus.

How we look at things makes a difference. We tend to take a stand: we tend to argue strongly as to whether a perspective is true or false. For example ‘blondes have more fun’, ‘real men don’t cry’ ‘it always rains on Bank Holidays’ … true or false? Actually it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that if you take it on as a belief or a way of looking at situations or issues, things are coloured in a certain way. Each perspective is simply a different way of looking at the same data. The facts or issue or situation remain essentially the same no matter which perspective we are in. The emotional charge which comes with our way of looking at the facts or issue or situation will have enormous impact.

When we can expand the range of ways from which we can look at a situation – a universe of possibilities opens up which could also be true or not. Too often we take historical experience and make it into ‘the way I am’ or ‘the way IT is’ whatever the situation. It is as if we were powerless to have it any other way. We forget that we have choice. We forget that we can create a different reality.

Facts remain the same but everyone’s perspective is different. When we see how understanding perspective can improve our communication skills, we choose powerful ones to drive our work and home lives.

Here are some of possible perspectives around raising the bar – what might yours be?

…Raising the bar gives me more room to manoeuvreIt stretches me beyond my limits

…I’m happy where I am

…This bar is not high enough

…Even thinking about being asked to raise my bar scares me

…Even thinking about being asked to raise my bar excites me

…Where’s the challenge ‘cos I’m ready to go

…Whatever … this is too easy … head down is the best option

…It’s hopeless. I’m just not good at selling myself …You have to sacrifice yourself for the good of the team’s bar

…To be successful you have committed to raising the bar.

Absolute statements are just one way of looking at a situation. An automatic response indicates a perspective we default to.

Time to be curious. Time to wake up, pay attention, look closely at that part of your life. Good questions to ask are: “What does it get you? What’s the payoff? What’s the cost? What are you saying yes to? What are you saying no to?” Explore other possible perspectives, weigh them up, try them on, discover how they feel, what do they tell you? The idea is to challenge your perspective making sure it supports you in what you want to achieve.

If you are struggling with perspectives why not try this useful tip?

Take a piece of A4 paper. Draw a large circle with segments like a pie. Write the issue/question/situation in the middle.

Where is the perspective you are in currently?

Label that segment and other perspectives … opposites … unreasonable ones … absolutely won’t go there ones … fairy tale ones … the one you really like and so on in the other segments. Consider the issue / question / situation from each of the different perspectives. (If you get stuck remember to change your perspective and move somewhere, anywhere so that you can look at it differently.)

When at work or at home stand shoulder to shoulder with someone/sit in their chair or walk somewhere, anywhere just to gain a different viewpoint. Try asking someone else what their perspective would be and try that on to see how it fits.

What will be your ‘perspective for success’ for the last quarter of 2016 that will absolutely make 2016 a fabulous year for you? How will anyone know? What will be the evidence? What will people notice that’s different? How will you make yourself accountable? Action is a top tip. Be practical is another.

Challenge yourself to set 3 goals with ‘by when’ attached. Use the SMART approach to goals setting – specific + measurable+ achievable + realistic + timed. Add on the magic ‘IES’ factor – Interesting, Exciting and Special. Next time you’re setting goals buy a tube of Smarties to remind you to raise your bar and explore those other perspectives!

Halina Jaroszewska

September 2016

01/09/2016 By Isla Baliszewska

Focus and Planning the Olympic Way

In an interview with Matt Whitlock on the BBC following the Olympic Games in Rio, Sarah Montague congratulated him on winning two individual gold medals and a bronze medal for the team, and that his first gold medal was the first ever Team GB gold medal for gymnastics.

She asked him some interesting questions: ‘Did you ever dare to dream before Rio ….. ? After winning the first how did you handle yourself? What did you tell yourself?”

Matt’s replies included: “It was about sticking to the plan. We had a job to do. That’s what we kept to. It was to stick to what we were doing. Focus on preparing for one more routine…”

Focus and planning – two crucial elements of achievement. Studies show that focus is essential to goal achievement. Focus is the ability to direct your attention completely to a specific task or activity. “Being able to control it (focus) gives you a lot of power, because you know you don’t have to focus on a negative emotion.”

It is relatively easy to focus on something that is going to happen in the short term, but not so easy when you are targeting long term goals. This is partly because we lose sight of something that does not happen quickly, our forward vision becomes fuzzy and distracted.

The ironic thing to mention about focus is that it can be distracting – as Daniel Kahneman says “Intense focusing on a task can make people effectively blind “. Daniel Simon’s and Christopher Chabris’s brilliant Invisible Gorilla video demonstrates this beautifully. (Follow the link in our newsletter to watch it). What you focus on can make you oblivious to other things that are happening around you, and that can be a good thing.

The trick is to think carefully and plan what you are going to focus on. The GB swimming team’s plan, guided by Bill Furniss and sports psychologist Bill Beswick, was that “mediocrity was unacceptable” and that the team would do things the “British way”. With careful planning and by setting high standards and benchmarks and aiming for toughness and resilience Furniss drove his team forward to achieve fabulous results.

With firm planning, clear objectives and proper focus, a lot can be achieved. So for some tips to realise your ambitions read on:

Do some serious Visioning – “One of the main techniques I used was focusing on the goal and visualising myself competing in the race before the race started “ – Michael Johnson, Olympic gold medallist sprinter.

Be an ACE Goal Setter. If you need help we can guide you – get in touch with us on [email protected].

Minimise multi-tasking – What you are actually doing is using up energy flipping rapidly between tasks. Set aside the other tasks, allocating specific time for them later, allowing you to concentrate your attention where you want it to be.

Keep it simple – don’t overthink. As you become more competent, the individual components of your competence become automatic. Daniel Kahneman again – “As you become skilled in a task, its demand for energy diminishes”; now is the time to hone that skill and engage the added value.

Set aside time to address concerns – be aware of your concerns and allocate time to deal with them.

Enjoy! – Plan to enjoy your achievements and acknowledge your successes as they appear.

Isla Baliszewska

Leadership – ‘C-me’ Style

Leadership C-me style

Commitment vs resolutions – looking backwards to look forwards

Presents and Presence – the Values of Christmas

Raising the Bar

Focus and Planning the Olympic Way

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