Coach and Be "Coachable"

Following are tips for your business “survival backpack” from Jamie B. Telegadis of JTA. Jamie led a recent Coaching Skills seminar I attended at New York University, where I’m an adjunct instructor. Warm and approachable with a “flair for fair feedback,” Jamie is an excellent presenter! Her easy-to-implement suggestions sharpened my ability to be firm, fair and direct when approaching challenging students or human resource and management situations in my consulting practice. When coaching, Jamie suggests:

> Begin Supportively

> Discuss Performance

> Assess Impact (of actions, discussion, decisions)

> Commit to a Plan

> Follow up Now and Later

And, remember to watch your tone and manner, leave emotion out of the equation, avoid being too nice and don’t accept excuses for poor performance. Another key point: there’s a difference between an excuse and a valid reason. If you reach the end of your rope, recommend a time for action and discuss disciplinary action. Of course, remember to follow-up face-to-face meetings with written summaries, if required by your organization.

I find most colleagues, business partners and students want to excel. As a leader/coach, you must work hard to motivate your team to do well. I’m currently reading Dare to Lead: Proven Principles of Effective Leadership by Byrd Baggett. Byrd says, “Leadership is a feeling. How do people feel after they leave your presence; after that phone call; after that email? Focus on the pursuit of excellence, not perfection.” Heed his advice!

When someone approaches me for counsel as their PDA (professional development advisor), I suggest “standards for achievement,” and help boost confidence in their own abilities to reach short and long-term goals. Together, we develop “internal motivators” to stimulate ongoing growth and development on the job … in the classroom … and in life! Whether it’s business writing, corporate/marketing communications or media relations/publicity (my core teaching and practice areas), the goal is to efficiently tackle assignments and communicate key themes with clarity and impact.

This approach is part of Millynneum Business Acumen :: MBA – my firm’s coaching model. We’ll kick off our 10^th Anniversary with a PDA Series at the 2^nd Annual Barbers International Conference: “How to Market Your Barbershop,”
August 4-6, Westin O’Hare Hotel, followed by “YOU INC.” a Job Development Skills Forum for undergrads at the National Black Public Relations Society Conference, September 20-23, Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza.

Thanks to my NYU Coaching Skills team Brian D’Cruz and Linda Katz who provided excellent “challenge resolution” tips, with spillover advice useful for my work in the for impact/non-profit arena. BTW, I’d like to thank all of my friends and colleagues at NYU, particularly the Office of Learning and Development and School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Dean Robert Lapiner, Terry Shtob, Carl Lebowitz, Renee Harris, Deborah Williams, Afua Preston, Veronica Morgan and countless others who diligently work to provide innovative professional development programs that help us compete, contribute and excel in the global academic and business market space.

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