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Linda |
From the Editor
Welcome to the October 2011 issue of the IAC VOICE!
Do you have an aptitude for numbers and a passion for the IAC? If so, Bob Tschannen-Moran is looking for you! You can find out more in today's President's Message, where you'll also get a glimpse into the IAC's leadership development process.
This month's featured member benefit is the Realise2 strengths assessment and development tool, and Capp Programmes Manager Trudy Bailey shares an article about the benefits of strengths-based coaching.
Is coaching mastery the same as unconscious competence? The answer may not be as simple as you think. Lead Certifier Natalie Tucker Miller explores the four stages of learning in this month's Inside Scoop.
The IAC's Capacity Building Specialist Ed Britton contributed this month's Living the Masteries column, with his reflections on The Synergy of Mastery.
Think you haven't been around long enough to pass the IAC Certification process? Learn how IAC's youngest certified coach Mike Goonan successfully navigated the process.
Are you wasting too much time chasing after the next new way to grow your business? Business coach Janet Slack invites you to slow down and apply some strategic thinking to your marketing efforts.
Our 2011 submission guidelines for the VOICE are available on the website. Submissions are welcome anytime through the month.
Please contact me with your article ideas and your feedback about this issue. Enjoy!
Warm wishes,
Linda
Linda Dessau, CPCC
Editor, IAC® VOICE
Email: voice@certifiedcoach.org
www.contentmasteryguide.com
P.S. Are you on Twitter? You can follow the IAC at http://twitter.com/IACCoachMastery. There is also a list of VOICE authors, columnists and IAC BOG members at http://twitter.com/lindadessau/iac-voice-contributors.
From the President
by Bob Tschannen-Moran, IAC-CC
president@certifiedcoach.org
The IAC: Help Wanted
by Bob Tschannen-Moran
With the advent of the fourth quarter in every calendar year, the IAC Board of Governors (BOG) begins the process of developing its leadership and budget for the next calendar year. The current officers, along with IAC Capacity Building Specialist Ed Britton, form a Nominating and Budget Committee to do this important work. A draft budget and proposed slate of officers are presented to the Board of Governors for review, revision, and approval no later than the December meeting. New officers begin their terms on January 1 of each year.
The current officers, as you hopefully know by now, are:
- Bob Tschannen-Moran, President
- Susan Meyer, Vice President
- Walt Besecker, Treasurer
- Kristi Arndt, Secretary
You can read the biographies of Bob, Susan, Walt, and Kristi, along with the rest of the Board of Governors, by going to the About IAC section of the IAC website. You can read Ed Britton’s biography, along with the rest of the IAC Staff, by going to Staff Page on the website. Together this team represents a remarkable pool of talent and commitment that has labored long and hard to serve the IAC and to advance its interests in not only the coaching world but also in the world at large.
Come January, there will be a significant turnover in leadership. The terms of all four officers are coming to an end, which would create quite a leadership vacuum if everyone walked away. Fortunately, Susan and Kristi have expressed a willingness to continue for one more year in their current positions. Chances are the IAC BOG will take them up on that offer!
There will definitely be a major transition, however, as the BOG seeks to replace both its President and its Treasurer. In my case, pursuant to the Bylaws of the IAC, I intend to serve one more year on the Executive Committee as the immediate Past President. That will lighten my load considerably without losing my sense of connection to an organization I care passionately about.
In Walt’s case, however, the BOG will be losing his services completely. After three years of service, one more than he originally bargained for, Walt is ready to take back that time for his own consulting and coaching business. Although it will be sad to see Walt go, the BOG wishes him all the best. Walt’s service to the BOG has been exemplary, making sure that details were tended to faithfully while the rest of us soared to new heights with strategic plans, website makeovers, business alliances and certification conversations. We can hardly thank him enough.
Unfortunately, there may be no one on the current BOG who has the necessary skill set and time to handle the position of Treasurer. So consider this President’s message a help wanted ad! The IAC BOG is looking for a Treasurer, and that person may just be you.
Just to be clear, the Treasurer is not the Bookkeeper. That distinction belongs to Becky Fyke of Checks & Balances, Inc., and you can read Becky’s biography on the Staff Page as well. Becky makes sure that everyone gets compensated in a timely manner and that the monthly and annual financial reports for the IAC BOG are properly prepared.
It’s the Treasurer’s job to review those reports, to create a written and graphic summary of the highlights, and to present that summary in plain English at the monthly meetings of the IAC BOG. Other Treasurer responsibilities include:
- Attending the monthly IAC Executive Committee meetings
- Filing the IAC Annual Report in the State of New Mexico
- Reviewing and verifying invoices as well as authorizing payments
- Preparing, with the Executive Committee, an annual budget proposal for the Board’s review and approval
- Reviewing and submitting annual state and federal tax returns prepared by the IAC’s tax accountant
- Periodically drafting and sending checks as well as accepting and depositing payments that are not automated
The IAC BOG is looking for a person who can handle those responsibilities over the next several years (BOG members are elected to serve 3-year terms of office). If that is not possible, someone willing to serve for even one year would be a delightful alternative. The right person will have the following credentials:
- Be a member of the IAC, located in the USA
- Be impeccably honest
- Be totally reliable and good with follow through
- Have an aptitude with numbers
- Know the difference between a receipt and income, a disbursement and an expense
- Have at least a basic familiarity with Microsoft Excel
If that sounds like you or if you would like to discuss this further, then please let me know by email (president@certifiedcoach.org). I would be happy to talk with you on the phone or via Skype (LifeTrek). This is certainly not a make-work position. The Treasurer offers not only financial advice but also participates in all the strategic decisions of the IAC BOG. So what do you say? This just might be your chance to make your mark on the coaching profession.
May you be filled with goodness, peace and joy,
Bob
Bob Tschannen-Moran, IAC-CC, is CEO and Co-Founder of the Center for School Transformation and President of LifeTrek Coaching International. Bob is the co-author of Evocative Coaching, which incorporates the IAC Coaching Masteries® in a coaching model designed for leaders and coaches in schools.
Strengthening People and Unlocking Potential
by Trudy Bailey
Why coach from a strengths perspective?
Do more of what you love to do. It’s such a simple concept, but how many people in reality do this? Instead, we tend to focus on trying to improve the weaknesses that seem to have been with us for years. Perhaps the research will spur us on beyond this perspective. It shows that people who use their strengths report being happier and more confident, experience higher levels of energy, less stress and more resilience, and are more likely to achieve their goals and perform better at work. Hearing that, why wouldn't you choose to come from your strengths?
Identifying strengths
Whether you were born to build esteem in others, explain complicated ideas or dream up innovative solutions, by identifying the things that you perform well at (your strengths) you are unlocking your performance potential and greater opportunities to achieve your goals.
It’s not just about identifying strengths
The key to coaching around people’s strengths goes beyond the identification; it’s about managing energy too. There are things our clients may be really good at (our learned behaviours) but find draining. We can help them watch out for these and moderate them accordingly. For instance, I’m great at being a "detail spotter," but if you made me do it all day long, it would drive me mad!
You also have to make sure people aren’t overplaying their strengths. Someone with the strength of service might find it rewarding to look after people and tend to their needs, but might need to dial down sometimes to avoid exhaustion.
The results
Here is just a snapshot of how coaching from a strengths perspective has helped a variety of people and their organisations:
- Improved performance management conversations;
- 91% of team members agreeing strongly that their strengths debrief would help them achieve their objectives and goals;
- 82% of team members agreeing that they had made positive development changes as a result;
- A greater level of trust, understanding and communication across teams;
- Team members feeling more authentic and engaged, and delivering better leadership performance;
- Increased interview confidence and CV writing abilities of university students.
Trudy Bailey is a coach and Programmes Manager at Capp where the organisation’s purpose is to help organisations and individuals to achieve their goals. Visit www.cappeu.com for further information.
IAC Member Benefit: IAC Members can receive one complimentary trial of Realise2, Capp’s online strengths assessment and development tool (use the Referral Code on the IAC Membership Privileges page).
Your Feedback
We'd love to get your feedback on any issue related to the IAC. Do you have any questions, concerns, encouragement or ideas for improvement regarding membership benefits, certification, the VOICE, the direction of the organization or anything else at all? Please send an email to feedback@certifiedcoach.org. Please help us improve.
