Blog: Greg Thiel

Job hunting is NOT for wimps! Anyone who has been job hunting lately knows that!

Who knew that you’d need your own specialized skill-set to be successful at obtaining a job?

Let me name just a few of the qualities/skills you will need to have, or develop, if you are to be successful at getting a job in our current economy.  Allow me to be blunt, if you do not feel that you are strong in all of these areas, your chances of being successful will be lessened. Ask yourself, am I: courageous, organized, disciplined, prepared, persistent, good at follow-through and do I have high self-esteem?

I will cover each skill/quality in future blogs, but to start off, I’d like to talk about COURAGE, because it’s one of the ‘biggies’. It takes guts to put yourself ‘out there’ again and again. You don’t know what lies ahead; you are going into unknown territory. What questions will they ask? What exactly are they looking for? Will you be a good fit for their team? Every time you submit an application or go to an interview, you risk rejection (ouch-that hurts).  Yet, if you’re not willing to take risks, you’re not likely to succeed! 

COURAGE isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you develop through use. One great way to become more courageous is to do one thing every day that is outside of your comfort zone. Then, before that day is over, make sure you give yourself credit for taking that action. Notice how you feel about yourself. I’m willing to bet that you will begin respecting yourself more.

Here are a couple of quotes that I say to myself before taking a step, or leap, of courage:

“You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

“You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide

I know how hard job-hunting is. Here’s a valuable tip: when you are able to acknowledge your fears, you won’t be stopped by them. When you face your fears, you free up your energy so your can move forward.

As always, having encouragement helps. (see that word ‘courage’ in there?) Find people who will help you develop your courage. Coaches are great at this. They are trained professionals who can help you develop and strengthen all of the qualities/skills mentioned above. Levya Braman, of Water’s Edge Life Coaching, is a coach with lots of experience in this area; you can also find numerous other qualified coaches in the Denver area at www.DenverCoach.com.

Submitted by: Levya Braman

Certified Coaching Professional

Denver Coach Federation Marketing Director 

Water’s Edge Life Coaching

(720) 470-7728

www.WatersEdgeLifeCoaching.com 

Workers in Happy Relationships  

We can conjecture that employees who enjoy relational health at home, in their intimate relationships, and among their peers are more productive, more effective team members and make better leaders. They are happier, healthier, more confident, positive, and motivated.  

Studies show that individuals in happy, stable, and successful relationships have greater skills in areas such as communication, flexibility, listening, problem solving, collaboration, personality compatibility, and conflict resolution. The connection between these skills and the workplace are obvious ­and are worth cultivating.

According to a 2006 study, when dual-income couples are happy in marriage, they are more loyal to their employers, thus turnover is lowered. The cost-saving benefits of not having to train new employees leads to greater profitability.  

We found several studies that break down the returns on investment (ROI) in employee wellness programs. While most companies report initial losses because of having to find the "right fit" for their employees, long-term results show savings of $1.40 - $4.90 per every dollar spent, and an ROI of up to $6.85 for every dollar invested in employee relationship wellness programs.  

When your company invests in such relationship wellness programs, like those that Connection Coaching, LLC offers, you will benefit by greater loyalty of your employees, reduced turnover, more effective teamwork, increased sales, productivity, and positive morale of the workforce. Who wouldn't want that? Happy Couples = Effective Employees = Profitable Businesses - a winning formula!

Greg R. Thiel CFLE, MA, & Author

Connection Coaching, LLC

303-798-2456 x3

www.RelationshipCoach.us

Why Work With A Coach?  

There are personal and professional reasons to employ the services of a coach. Most often you have a challenge or opportunity that requires new thinking, new attitudes or new behavior. A professional coach can help you reorient your life and priorities to meet the challenge. A coach is someone to hold you accountable for your life, to make sure you live up to your potential.

Another reason to work with a coach is that you realize there is a gap between what you know and where you want to go. Often a coach can help you identify and acquire new skills and make life or career course corrections.

Perhaps you are not sure what strengths you have and need help in identifying those qualities. Or perhaps you have always had a dream and you want to hire a coach to support you in bringing your dream to life.

With coaching, you are able to create the life you want. You will learn how to organize and self-manage, so you can reach your professional, personal and spiritual goals. So that you create your future!

Find A Coach

To find a coach go to www.denvercoach.com and click on Find A Coach. Use search words like career, relationships, financial, wellness, life, family, spiritual, etc., to identify coaches that specialize in the area you want support. Select several coaches and set up interviews with them to find the best match for you and your goals.

Upcoming Topic: What Coaching Expertise Is Available?                                                                               

Submitted by Denver Coach Federation

PR Committee Liaison, Greg R. Thiel

www.RelationshipCoach.us

About Denver Coach Federation

We are a professional organization of personal and corporate coaches that educates the public about coaching, preserves the integrity of the coaching profession, and actively develops member and community programs.

As the Denver Chapter Host for the International Coach Federation (ICF), we are a unified voice for the coaching profession. Our purpose is to lead, develop and nurture a thriving community of professional coaches.

Find A Coach

To find a coach go to www.denvercoach.com and click on Find A Coach. Use search words like career, relationships, financial, wellness, life, family, spiritual, etc., to identify coaches that specialize in the area you want support. Select several coaches and set up interviews with them to find the best match for you and your goals.

Upcoming Topic: Why Work With A Coach?

   Submitted by Denver Coach Federation

PR Committee Liaison, Greg R. Thiel

www.RelationshipCoach.us

The world is too complex today for any of us to have all the answers. More and more people are turning to professional coaches to help guide them through the maze of daily work and life. There is more change in our personal and professional lives than ever before…issues of work-life balance, of stepping into leadership, or making your business profitable in the ever changing external market.

From the personal to the professional, people are seeking coaches to come alongside, challenge and support their thinking, their attitudes, their goals and dreams. A coach will support you and take the time to find out what “winning” in life means to you. Coaching will help you take charge of your life and to create the future you want. Coaching creates the future…YOURS!

Find A Coach

To find a coach go to www.denvercoach.com and click on Find A Coach. Use search words like career, relationships, financial, wellness, life, family, spiritual, etc., to identify coaches that specialize in the area you want support. Select several coaches and set up interviews with them to find the best match for you and your goals.

Upcoming Topic: About Denver Coach Federation

 

Submitted by Denver Coach Federation

PR Committee Liaison, Greg R. Thiel

www.RelationshipCoach.us

In today’s economy, managers are getting beat up more than ever. They’ve always had to juggle the competing demands of their bosses, employees and customers, but now there’s added pressure to get things done faster, better and cheaper. By the way, if you’re a manager, you probably have fewer people to accomplish all this with, and the threat of failure is losing your job.

That kind of pressure can make anyone start searching the job boards. But I’m here to tell you, it’s universal right now. When times were better, did you like what you’re doing? If so, there may be ways to regain your satisfaction with your current position and get your groove back. Start here:

Take inventory: What are the results you’re expected to produce? If you don’t know, it’s a great time of year to schedule a check-in time with your boss and set goals. Otherwise, take stock of how well you’re executing. What areas are you satisfied with? What areas need work? Chances are, you’re doing more right than you think.

List what you love: What kinds of activities leave you feeling accomplished? How can you spend more time doing them and less time doing the things that leave you drained? Delegation may not be an option with a reduced staff, but could you barter with another department head to trade some specific responsibilities?

Don’t underestimate an overhaul: Sometimes, it’s easier to make little changes that add up over time. You identify new actions and work with them until they’re habit, and then you add a new change, and so on. But it can be incredibly galvanizing for you and your team to make a sweeping, well-considered change. What really requires new thinking? How can you involve your team to solicit their ideas and give them ownership in the solution? You might be surprised by the excitement this generates.

Dance like no one’s watching: Like a pro football player who loses his innate love of the game, managers can forget why they do what they do in tough economic times. Reconnect with what’s meaningful to you about your position, and concentrate on doing that well. The rest will take care of itself.

Jaimee Abbott is a Management Coach based in Denver, Colorado. To reach Jaimee or take advantage of a FREE coaching session, visit www.MojoForManagers.com.

Seven months ago, Sam was promoted to a manager for the first time.  He and everyone around him had been excited.  He had seemed the ideal person - well respected by peers, clients trusted him, and management could always count on him. 

Things have changed for Sam.  He has lost his confidence.  He doubts himself and his team is struggling to meet their goals.  He goes home every night exhausted and discouraged.  He has gone from being a shining star to wondering if he will even keep his job.

Technical Function Knowledge Only Gets You in the Door

Let’s us look at Sam’s situation more closely.  Like so many people, Sam is learning the hard way that the role a manager is very different from an individual contributor’s role.  The first of many lessons is realizing that being smart and talented in a field is what gets you noticed and considered for management.  It is the “price of admission” for management, but does not guarantee that you have the skills or mindset you need to influence, lead and motivate people.

Individual Contributor to Manager

Sam’s challenge is moving from an Individual Contributor to Managing People.  The team has people who can do the work.  What they do not have is a leader.  Sam was promoted to manage and lead, yet he still working very hard beside everyone rather than leading and managing the team.  He needs to step away from the front line and provide direction for the team, remove roadblocks for them, obtain and maintain resources, and encourage and enable people to be successful.

Sam and other front-line managers must help their teams perform their best.  It is time to teach and coach, not be a doer.  Realizing that people may perform their work differently, at a different pace, and not be motivated the same way are all realities managers need to face.  Learning how to leverage these differences are what distinguishes the great managers from the mediocre managers.

Being a conduit of information for the team is another critical skill.  This requires developing relationships with upper management to give and get information.  A broader perspective and understanding of the business is required to provide meaning and context to his team.  Viewing management in an adversarial role is no longer acceptable; he is now part of management.

Changing the Mindset

Not only do the skills change, but values and beliefs change with a managerial role.  Rather than gaining satisfaction from personal accomplishment, effective front-line managers get satisfaction from the accomplishment of their staff.  They enjoy coaching.  This is more of a mindset, rather than a skill.

Warning Signs of Transition Challenges

Sam is experiencing high stress right now.  Other indicators that a transition is not going well are:

viewing questions from staff as interruptions

fixing mistakes rather than coaching others to resolve their issues

doing the work themselves for a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction

not delegating to staff

not taking accountability of their people’s problem’s, failures or successes

Moving from an individual contributor role to a managerial role requires letting go of the known and a comfort zone and moving into the unknown and new.

Is There Hope for Sam?

Absolutely! Sam and others need to learn that being a successful manager is different from being a successful individual contributor.  His role is about managing and leading people to be successful.  Not everyone is destined to be a manager. Sam needs to decide if he wants to be manager, not simply have the title.  He needs to make this decision before it is made for him.

When you decide you want to be a manager, you must become a student of leadership.  Find a mentor.  Hire a coach.  Observe people who a great leaders.  Learn from them.  Read books about leadership.  Explore courses and training.  Ask your employees what you are doing well, and what you can do better. Practice reflective learning by journaling.  What insights can you discover about yourself?

Just as this is a major transition from an individual contributor to manager, there are equally challenging transitions to Manager of Mangers to Functional Manager, and finally to Business Manager.  Each managerial transition has its unique skills, values and opportunities to become an effective leader.

All transitions require courage, time, practice and guidance.  Leadership is a journey of a lifetime.  John F. Kennedy said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”

Linda Kennedy works with leaders to make a difference and be the difference through education and coaching.  She is President and Founder of Linda Kennedy & Associates (www.lindakennedy.biz) She teaches at the Women’sVision Leadership Institute, launched the inaugural Association for Growth Leadership 20 program for emerging leaders of professional service firms, and is a board member of the Denver Coaching Federation www.denvercoach.com.

International Coaching Week is an opportunity to create awareness about professional coaching and its value to society, how it assists individuals and businesses reach their goals and acknowledge participation and progress made through the coaching process.

Attend a DCF monthly meeting [www.denvercoach.com] to learn more about coaching.  
Join us in celebrating International Coaching Week!

                                                                                          Submitted by Denver Coach Federation

                                                                                          PR Committee Liaison, Greg R. Thiel

                                                                                          www.RelationshipCoach.us

Members of the Denver Coach Federation offer a variety of expertise in coaching…

Ø   Business Management Coaches

Ø   Coaching for Seniors

Ø   Coaching for Teens

Ø   Corporate Coaches

Ø   Creativity Coaches

Ø   Entrepreneur Coaches

Ø   Executive Coaches

Ø   Family Coaches

Ø   Financial Coaches

Ø   Fitness Coaches

Ø   Health Coaches

Ø   Leadership Coaches

Ø   Life Coaches

Ø   Personal Coaches

Ø   Relationship Coaches

Ø   Spiritual Coaches

Ø   Transition Coaches

Ø   Wellness Coaches

Find A Coach

To find a coach go to www.denvercoach.com and click on Find A Coach. Use search words like career, relationships, financial, wellness, life, family, spiritual, etc., to identify coaches that specialize in the area you want support. Select several coaches and set up interviews with them to find the best match for you and your goals.

 

Upcoming Topic: What Should I Look For In A Coach? and How Will Success Be Measured?

                                                                                                   

Submitted by Denver Coaching Federation

PR Committee Liaison, Greg R. Thiel

www.RelationshipCoach.us

 

What Should I Look For In A Coach?

The most important thing to look for is someone you feel will be a powerful ally in your desire to grow. Ask your prospective coach about their coaching education or training, their expertise and background, their philosophy of coaching, and their coaching process. Many coaches offer either a free consultation or a free introductory session.

How Will Success Be Measured?

 

You and your coach can set both external and internal goals that will serve as milestones in the coaching relationship. Often it takes three to six months for real change to happen.

Find A Coach

 

To find a coach go to www.denvercoach.com and click on Find A Coach. Use search words like career, relationships, financial, wellness, life, family, spiritual, etc., to identify coaches that specialize in the area you want support. Select several coaches and set up interviews with them to find the best match for you and your goals.

Upcoming Topic: What Does The Coach Do? And What Does The Client Do?

                                                                          Submitted by Denver Coaching Federation

PR Committee Liaison, Greg R. Thiel

www.RelationshipCoach.us

Are you one of the millions of baby boomers who are trying to help care for an aging parent? And, are you also trying to make some positive career changes? Do you feel drained, exhausted, overloaded? Could you use some help or support right now?

You are invited to join a free (except for your long distance charges) roundtable call that meets every other Wednesday at 7 PM (MT). We cover a variety of topics, all pertinent to baby boomers with aging parents! At least you don’t have to go it alone. Just email Levya@WatersEdgeLifeCoaching.com or call Levya at (720) 470-7728 for dates and call access numbers.

There are professional and persnal reasons to employ the services of a skilled coach. Most often you have a career challenge or opportunity that requires new thinking, new attitudes or new behavior. The right coach can help you reorient your life and priorities to meet the challenge. A coach is someone to hold you accountable for your life, to make sure you live up to your potential.

Another reason to work with a coach is that you realize there is a gap between what you know and where you want to go. Often a coach can help you identify and acquire new skills and make life or career course corrections.

Perhaps you are not sure what strengths you have and need help in identifying those qualities. Or perhaps you have always had an unfulfilled dream and you want to hire a coach to support you in bringing your dream to life.

With coaching, you are able to create the life you want. You will learn how to organize and self-manage, so you can reach your professional, personal and spiritual goals. So that you create your future!

Find A Coach

To find a coach go to www.denvercoach.com and click on Find A Coach. Use search words like career, relationships, financial, wellness, life, family, spiritual, etc., to identify coaches that specialize in the area you want support. Select several coaches and set up interviews with them to find the best match for you and your goals.

Upcoming Topic: What Coaching Expertise Is Available?

                                                                                    

Submitted by Denver Coaching Federation

PR Committee Liaison, Greg R. Thiel

www.RelationshipCoach.us

We are a professional organization of personal and corporate coaches that educates the public about coaching, preserves the integrity of the coaching profession, and actively develops member and community programs. 

As the Denver Chapter Host for the International Coach Federation (ICF), we are a unified voice for the coaching profession. Our purpose is to lead, develop and nurture a thriving community of professional coaches.

Find A Coach

To find a coach go to www.denvercoach.com and click on Find A Coach. Use search words like career, relationships, financial, wellness, life, family, spiritual, etc., to identify coaches that specialize in the area you want support. Select several coaches and set up interviews with them to find the best match for you and your goals. 

Upcoming Topic: Why Work With A Coach?

   Submitted by Denver Coaching Federation

PR Committee Liaison, Greg R. Thiel

www.RelationshipCoach.us

For many of us, the approach of autumn marks a new beginning of one kind or another. When you begin something new, what feelings, thoughts, or images come up?

My preschool-age daughter just started a new school schedule in which she is in class every morning. I must admit it took me the best part of the summer to adjust to the idea. I was eager to have more time for myself and my business, but I wondered if more time apart was the right thing for my daughter, and I was already grieving no longer having our mornings together.  

While the start of a new school year inevitably brings a new beginning for parents, as a professional, the autumn is also a natural time to look at your life and career.  As the year draws to a close, you are probably focusing on successfully achieving your objectives for the year, preparing for your performance review, looking for career opportunities, and reviewing your fit with your current job and organization.  You may decide to take the next leap at work, acquire a new skill, or make another significant change to your life.

When I talk to other professionals, parents and my clients about what a “new beginning” means, the responses are remarkably consistent.   Regardless of whether the new beginning is a new school year, a career change, a move, etc., there are three major feelings that come up:   

* Excitement - the anticipation of a new beginning is a thrilling feeling. We allow ourselves to soak in the possibilities, the new things we will learn, and the opportunities that will unfold.  When you start a new job or get put on an exciting new project, you think about all the good things that will come, the accolades for a job well done, the juicy paycheck or bonus, and your sense of accomplishment.  It is the anticipation of success and possibility that drives us to change.   

* Anxiety - as exciting as the new venture may be, we naturally fear the unknown. Our fear and anxiety tells us that we acknowledge we are not fully in control during a major transition. You may ask yourself: “What if everything does not go to plan? What if I made a mistake?”  The concern may come from our own negative thought patterns that may get in the way of our success, or it can be a healthy process to assist us in making an informed decision and formulating a complete plan for success.  The important thing is to determine when the anxiety can be used positively and when it is getting in your way.   

* Loss - Even when we are eagerly anticipating the change and everything goes reasonably smoothly, change often brings with it a sense of loss – friends and colleagues that you no longer see regularly, a comfortable routine disrupted, the comfort of familiar places, perhaps even your confidence or self-identity may be interrupted for a period of time.

To minimize your concerns and spend more energy reveling in the positive aspects of a new beginning:   

1) Talk through the expected changes with family, friends and others to make sure everyone is on the same page and knows what to expect.

2) Keep some aspects of your old routines to provide some stability, and establish new routines that will facilitate adjustment to the new situation.

3) Identify what you will miss about what's being left behind, and find ways to keep in touch with the feelings, people, or special aspects of what will be missed.

4) Establish trust with the new people in your life be they teachers, colleagues, friends, bosses, or others.

5) Intentionally embrace and celebrate the new opportunities and exciting potential ahead of you.   

To your new beginnings!  

Lauren Still is a professional life coach and the founder of Buoyant Life LLC (www.buoyantlife.com).  She holds BA and MBA degrees, is a CTA certified coach, and is the Membership Director of the Denver Coach Federation (www.denvercoach.com).  Lauren is particularly passionate about helping professional women with young families live their own definition of success, balance and freedom by answering the question “What’s right for me and my family?”

Dear Coach Greg: My cubicle neighbor and I used to be "best friends" since we were both hired last year. At first, we were both interested in each others lives - sharing about our family life and some very personal topics. Lately, it's been very one sided - she is more than interested in telling me all the details about her "big adventures", but rarely does she ask about my weekend or opinion. I even find myself avoiding her which makes me feel guilty and dishonest. How do I continue with this friendship, yet find the balance that is missing? P.S. - If your advice would also apply to my husband please let me know. Lately, it's been all about "HIM"!

Tired Of Being Invisible

Dear Tired: Like many friendships (and marriages) one person is usually the "talker" and the other is usually the "listener". Early in the relationship both parties are usually on their "best behavior" - politely asking questions about each others life, listening attentively, and then more than willing to share their perspective. Usually, about the time each person just gets comfortable with the friendship your "true personality" starts to show up. If you are a good listener (and always have been) your comfort level will be to ask them lots of questions and even enjoy being entertained by their stories. And their comfort level is to keep the conversation lively by telling "their story", often not realizing that they have become the center of attention. Eventually, the time comes when one or both individuals are no longer getting their needs met - to belong to a group and to be appreciated for who they are.

Since you expressed interest in continuing this friendship with a co-worker I suggest that you take personal responsibility for your role in the friendship. If you want to talk more and listen less then find "your voice". Speak up! Try interjecting your opinion when your friend takes a breath or pauses to eat their lunch. Or, begin the next discussion with a favorite topic that you are very knowledgeable in and would like to share with her. If you want to have an even more meaningful conversation about how your perception of this friendship has changed I suggest using the S.M.A.R.T. Card, developed by the Active Relationships Center. You can learn this effective communication technique (and others) during a relationship communication workshop in your area (see below).

I commend you for wanting to improve your current friendship rather than bailing out on her. With the desire and knowledge to improve your communication skills you will soon find "your voice" not only with this situation but also with other colleagues, supervisors, relatives, and yes - even with your husband.

To improve your communication skills: visit www.RelationshipCoach.us, then click on Upcoming Workshops - Is Anyone Listening to Me? Solving Communication Problems in Relationships, choose a date, then register with Colorado Free University or Arapahoe Community College Community Education.