AIM® News - Winter 2014, Choose Your Coach

Since our last Innovative Manager eNews which introduced yaelzofi.com, we've received great responses from many of you congratulating us on the look and content. We appreciate hearing from you. Your comments help us stay in-touch with the latest trends in our field.

Currently, we are busy preparing our virtual Store with better products and services in response to your requests for assistance in motivating virtual teams. Please know that these offerings will be upgraded to address leadership growth areas as well as managing virtual teams and other organizational needs. We encourage you to visit yaelzofi.com often for additions and special offers.

As promised, we are launching a new series in the AIM Strategies® Virtual Teams Guide blog beginning Friday, March 14 titled, "Virtual Team Comic Relief". It's a new twist on traditional case studies and will appear on Fridays only. Without giving too much away, let's just say... it's different... it's fun... it's informative... and lastly, it's for you!!!

If my recent engagements are any indication - and I believe they are - the trend towards executive coaching is growing. Executive coaching, as you know, builds the critical self-awareness essential for communicating effectively. It also helps you better understand how your colleagues perceive you.

Executive coaching is not for the faint of heart! Anyone who has been through a performance review knows it isn't easy to hear others critique your efforts. The truth is most performance reviews don't even scratch the surface compared to the executive coaching experience. Those who complete this process come away with more focused goals, greater clarity about problem-solving, and a better feel for managing productive workforces.

However, one key element is essential for a successful journey through this process - a talented coach. Good coaches are known for wearing many hats - mentor, therapist, guide, critic, and specialist. In this one-to-one experience, the individual (the coachee) and the coach develop a bond based on trust and mutual respect, without which the difficult stages of (1) self-disclosure, (2) assessment, (3) deconstruction, (4) reconstruction, and (5) guidance can't be realized.

When selecting your coach...and there are many out there...I suggest following four simple steps:

METHODS: What method is your prospective coach using? Reputable coaches take pride in their methodology. They often design proprietary models and/or seek out recognized certifications to guide the five stages noted above. Ask about their methods and determine how they will move through these stages to assist your professional development.
STYLE: Seasoned professionals can explain their unique style. Style is how coaches deliver their methodology and what differentiates them from their peers. Hint: Ask for examples of success stories and references; be leery of coaches who cannot provide this information.
LONGEVITY: I know from my own coaching practice that the learning process never stops! The more I coach the better I become, because coaches gain confidence from accumulating a variety of experiences. These situations give us an enhanced understanding of the complexities and nuances inherent in business relationships. Another important characteristic is agility, because an empathic coach can quickly shift direction when needed. Finally, coaches of quality know the right techniques to draw out the most reluctant coachees and get to the heart of the matter―this and agility come with a lot of practice.
CHEMISTRY: The rest depends on chemistry. Coachees must feel at ease with their coach and believe they are in capable hands in order to make progress. There are just some people that you feel you've known all your life and so communication comes naturally. It should be this way with your coach.

I hope you keep these tips in mind if you are considering working with a professional executive coach. In the meantime, utilize our Coaching Solutions hub along with ACT™ (Assess, Coach and Transform) methodology as comprehensive resources. I look forward to your comments and continued conversations.

Join Yael Zofi and the AIM team for our upcoming events. For more information, visit the Blog Newsroom or contact us at 718-832-6767 / 6699.

FEBRUARY

Lunch & Learn Series: "Executive Coaching - Selecting Your Coach"

MARCH

Evolution Magazine's interview with Yael Zofi coming in March
Lunch & Learn Series: "Executive Coaching for Virtual Team Managers"
Virtual Team Comic Relief Series kicks off
AMA Seminar: "Successfully Managing People" – March 17-19 in New York City

APRIL

IAF North America Conference Webinar: "Conference Call Blues: Facilitating Successful Virtual Team Meetings" - Apr. 11, 1:30-3:00 p.m. ET Live Online
Lunch & Learn Series: "Is Your Virtual Team Effectively Set-up?"
AMA Seminar: "Collaborative Leadership Skills for Managers" – April 3-4 in New York

MAY

AMA Seminar: "Collaborative Leadership Skills for Managers" – May 29-30 in San Francisco