“…And What Else?” May 2022 newsletter

“...And What Else?”

Newsletter and Thought Starter

May 2022

Success begins by asking the right questions. So why not a newsletter that asks a powerful question: “…and what else?”

Hope these insights pierce through the clutter and create a moment to reflect on your purpose.

First Thoughts

True story.

I started my morning with a stink bug falling on my head. I ended my morning with a second breakfast of perfectly scrambled eggs and crispy bacon.

A good morning? A bad morning? I chose to rate it as a pretty darn good morning. Completely my choice.

How will you view today? Stink or yum? You can choose.

Thinking Out Loud Blog

Why Your Company Policy Should Encourage Cannonballs

No running. No diving. No loud music. Those were clearly stated in a sign for all to see, observe, and follow. They were the pool rules.

Ugh.

Rules. Policies. They’re everywhere. Telling us what not to do; what is off limits; what is forbidden. But what are these rules, really?

The Forty-Two Challenge

Question #4: Who can you call, email, or text today to hold you accountable for that one thing you have not completed?

The Challenge: Pick one goal and share your intent with someone. Promise them that you will complete it by a certain date. Then ask them to follow up with you.

Share your reflections on your favorite social channel. #FortyTwoQuestions

Worth Reading

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

In this best-selling management book, Lencioni uses storytelling to illustrate his take on team dysfunction—identifying five key failures: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. It’s a terrific lesson on teamwork and team(not)work.

Thought Starter: Avoidance of accountability (dysfunction #4) is where many goals go to die. A good way to hold team members accountable is to clarify publicly what the team needs to achieve—and when and how. In other words: the enemy of accountability is ambiguity.

What is your team doing to keep goals (and who owns them, and the status) visible?

Looking for more great reads? Check out these purposeful resources.

Worth Watching

The Psychology of Your Future Self (Dan Gilbert, TED Talk)

There’s an illusion, according to psychologist Dan Gilbert, that we’ve already become the person we are meant to be. The reality is that we are (constantly and forever) a work in progress. Says Gilbert: “The person you are right now is as transient, as fleeting, and as temporary as all the people you've ever been. The one constant in our life is change.”

Thought Starter: We can be something or do something that is miles from who we are now—if we want. Instead of saying “I can’t imagine that,” try saying, “I can’t imagine that right now, but I will try.”

Our Coaching Service Portfolio

Our coaching engagements are designed to support individuals at all organizational levels and functions: Senior-level, Director, Manager, and individual contributor. We meet you where you are in your leadership journey.

Our coaching portfolio includes:

Foundational Coaching: early career professionals
Performance Coaching: managers and directors
Transformational Coaching: senior leaders

Which one fits you? Learn more about how our coaching meets you where you are in your leadership journey.

Final Thoughts

Saying “thank you” costs nothing. Yet if you don’t mean it, it’s worth nothing. Thanks for reading this. Really.

Executive Coaching & Strategic Advising