Flight Team
Posted: March 9, 2012 Filed under: Coaching, Leadership, Thoughts & Observations, Uncategorized | Tags: american airlines, attitude, business, business coach, coaching, consideration, executive coach, fear of flying, flight attendant, flying, leadership, positivity, team, US AIrways Leave a comment »“M’am, I believe 12D is a little upset.”
Let me paint the scenario for you.
It’s Monday, small flight, first thing in the morning. The usual suspects of business travelers board and then the rest of the crew including me.
I usually fly American Airlines, being that I’m in Austin and that tends to be the most direct routes everywhere (or at least through Dallas). So, I tend to get on with the business crowd.
This trip, however, I’m on USAirways. I find their gray and white logo lacking a bit of confidence. Almost like… here is a generic clip art flag that we couldn’t afford to print with color, but don’t worry, our wings stay on during flight!
Ironically, the missing “color” was on the inside of the plane. The cast of characters was sit-com worthy. Here is the map to help you understand…
| 11A Politefully listening, yet not wanting to Woman | 11B Man all about his religion and talking about it A LOT |
AISLE |
11C Ignoring Man #1 | 11D The “Best Friend” |
| 12A Helpful, doting grandmother | 12B Ignoring man #2 | 12C Ignoring Man #3 | 12D HOLY S&#* GET ME OFF THIS FLIGHT. I’VE NEVER FLOWN. | |
| 13A Hungover Dude |  |
13C Politefully Listening, yet not wanting to guy | 13D Chatty, gum chewing Kathy |
There we sat with the scene playing out as you can imagine. The doors go shut, the plane starts moving and 12D is MENTAL. I mean, sobbing, can’t catch her breath mental. Really having a panic attack. 12A leans over 12B, looks past 12C to console 12D. 11 D hangs over the seat to passify 12 D. 11B is praying for her. A lot. 13D is having a hard time getting the words passed her gum chewing to let 12D know that “shit, these things never crash.” And finally, 13A shoots me a look like “someone kill me now.”
Meanwhile, the flight attendant strolls down the aisle and MISSES THE WHOLE THING. Misses it! I mean, doesn’t even notice one single outburst of tears.
So, of course, if you know me, I went into hyper observation mode. Hmmm… interesting play we have here. Is this the type of theater where you observe or are audience members asked to participate?
I stopped the flight attendant. “M’am, I believe 12D is a little upset.”
“Oh my. She sure is. Are you okay? If you’re not, now is the time to know so we can turn the plane around. Do you want us to stop?”
“No, I’ve just… never… sob, sob… flown before.”
“Oh, that’s it? You’ll be fine.”
“Wow, that’s some empathy,” 13A muttered to me.
What was really interesting is what followed. In the absence of an empathetic leader (our fearless flight attendant), this unpredictable team of support rose out of this cast of characters. Even Ignoring Guys, #1, #2, and #3 joined the effort. All to help 12D make it through the flight. They each, in their own way, stepped forward as leaders to speak to her, take her mind off of the flying, find out how to help her to manage through her fear. A team formed, united and led.
This event hit them at the core of humanity and propelled them into a true leadership moment. In times of crisis, you’ll have an opportunity to see who really steps up and releases their latent leader.
And in times of calm, what are you doing to inspire someone’s leadership? If there isn’t a compelling reason such as survival, what is compelling enough for your team members to step up to lead and act like a team? How are they motivated? What would get them engaged and in action?
If you don’t know, maybe it’s time to ask.
I fly home tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Got Coach?
Posted: February 17, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: business, business coach, coach, executive coach, leadership, life coach, signs Leave a comment »Coaching? Isn’t that what I do for my kid’s soccer team?! Well, yes, we traditionally think of coaches when it comes to sports. And we always assume and know the value those coaches bring to a team. Now coaches of all kinds have entered our lives to support us from health to life to overall happiness. So when would I seek the help of an executive business coach and how do I know which one to choose?
Clients tend to come my way when they are in the midst of some pivotal change and growth; when they really need to take their business to the next level and stop behaving like a club and begin performing like a company. The “growing pains” can show up in several of different places…
5 Sure Signs You Need an Executive Business Coach
1. You’re successful, but your “start-up adrenaline” has crashed. You’re physically exhausted and can’t imagine how it will all get done.
2. You’ve become a “seagull” leader, swooping in and out with feedback and let’s face it … it’s not helping morale.
3. You’re short-tempered, frustrated and wondering… “why can’t my team just make the decisions and get it done?”
4. You’re finding that just working harder isn’t working anymore no matter how many Venti Starbucks you have. You need to work smarter.
5. You’re wondering if stealing your child’s Ritalin is the answer to focus. It’s time to stop multi-tasking and start mindful-tasking.
What is the cost of not addressing some of the challenges you’re having? Will you be unable to scale your business for growth? Will you be able to continue being an effective leader? Will your employees start leaving if you choose to work in the trenches? When you consider just a few of these questions, what do you think…luxury or necessity?
When a leader realizes that he or she needs to change to make things optimal, the leaders seeks a coach to help guide them through the process. It’s not always easy to tackle this change and development in a self-guided way. As an objective coach with actual business experience, I help leaders go through this change over a manageable period of time.
Once you’ve decided to use an executive business coach, how do you find the right one? Finding the right coach is critical to predicting success in the coaching relationship. In fact, I would advise that finding the right coach is no different to finding the right partner or new employee. Consider the following factors:
- Coach’s Business Experience: Has the coach ever been a leader of people? Been responsible for Profit and Loss? Set business strategy or a talent strategy?
- Proven Process: Does the coach have a proven process that measures for return on investment? Are there testimonials to back it up?
- Core Values Match: Does the coach fit your company’s core values? If respect and dignity are core to your business, do you know if the coach will demonstrate those?
- Coaching Competencies: Does the coach demonstrate the ability to listen and empathize, show sensitivity and hold confidentiality, have ability to work across cultures/genders, have openness to change, ability to gain and maintain trust?
And then there’s the highly technical assessment: gut. What is your gut telling you when you meet with your potential coach? Can I have an open, trusting relationship with this person and be willing to be challenged?
And remember… while a coach may be the guide, you will be the one putting the work into action. Make sure yours is a trusted partner that will push you, challenge you and teach you invaluable lessons about your leadership!
Visit here to learn more about Linda’s approach to coaching.
