Approach & Process

I am a NeuroCoach. What does that mean? That means that my interactions with my clients focus on how they think. This approach creates better thinking in my clients and their teams. Thinking drives decisions which drive choices which drive actions toward outcomes.  Therefore, talking about the problem may be interesting but talking about how a person is thinking about it is more useful to solving it. This is where insight can be sparked to see it differently. By shifting how people think and connect the dots, they are able to build new neural pathways in their brain and create new "habits of mind" that will assist them in becoming better thinkers who make better decisions that generate better results. 

I draw my clients' focus to become aware of how their thinking is molded and affected by many factors such as their hardwiring, their life experiences, nurturing, culture, belief systems, etc. These factors shape thinking which in turn drives their choices, behaviors and actions. We discuss how they can best deal with situations that they don't always control by getting them to see that it’s not about the circumstances; it’s about how they choose to think about and deal with them that determines their results and the currency they'll build in their careers.

We as a society are skewed to left-brain thinking which is to say analytical, ordered, objective, systematic. As our world has and continues to shift and become borderless, more connected and complex, so must our thinking shift in that direction. Scientific brain research shows that we in fact need to learn how to masterfully integrate what both right and left brain offer. Predominant left-brain thinking is no longer enough. Leaders of today and on into the future will need to develop and exercise wise use of what our whole brain is capable of. It is actually staggering when you look at the science and the results when that happens. When do you listen to your brain's "gut"? When do you take an objective approach? How do you best blend the two? These are the keys to a sustainable and higher frequency mode of success.

I have a systematic approach to working with my clients over which I stretch the fabric of organic conversation and interaction that allows the conversation to go where it needs to often driven by the client. I seek to challenge their thinking to ignite insights and then serve as their collaborator to bring those insights to action and results by keeping them on track.

The arc of my coaching process looks like this:

Setting the Groundwork 

Nothing solid is ever built on a weak or incomplete foundation. During this upfront phase, my client and I - as well as stakeholders and sponsors-scope out and agree to expectations, goals, timing, investment and how we will measure success.

Assessments 

Depending on the client and situation, I may use one or more assessments which will be incorporated and pulled through the work my client and I will do together. If it is a team engagement, team reports as well as individual results will also be woven into all the conversations and facilitations with the team.

Coaching Calls/Meetings 

Whenever possible, a face-to-face meeting is held especially in the beginning. It's always a good idea to 'eyeball' each other. Most calls with my executive clients are held over the phone. Depending on the program they select, they will have access to me by phone and email above and beyond the 2 scheduled hours per month. I realize that an executive's life on the job is often 'emergent' and when something arises that they need some quick feedback on or a sounding board, I want them to know they can reach for me.

Resources

I will consistently provide resources and emails that offer ideas or thoughts relevant to my client

Milestones 

At the end of each month, I will check in to see how we are doing against expectations and goals.

Length of Engagement 

Private clients or individual executives from corporations. I generally do not impose a set period of time on these types of clients. I usually work month to month unless otherwise arranged. The client continues with me as long as they feel they are getting value from the coaching work we do together. If they wish to book me for an extended period of time up front, I will commit to that as well. Even after an engagement has ended, I feel my clients are always my clients and I will continue every now and then to send them information that I feel would be valuable to them based on what they have shared with me.

Corporate engagements usually last for 3-6 months with a review at that time to decide if the engagement will continue. These types of assignments usually involve longer term work and specific goals that revolve around a team or particular project or purpose.

Summary

My clients consistently point to my candor, humor, directness and ability to get to the root issue that is keeping them from realizing expected results or becoming an exemplary leader. They see me as a trusted advisor, challenger, truth-sayer, and sounding board. Someone with whom they can kick their shoes off and discuss what's blinking the brightest on their radar...without judgment but with candor, compassion and collaboration.