Next Level Executive Coaching

More powerful than the storm

Steve Laswell — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:39:43 +0000

The people of Moore, Oklahoma took another beating by a tornado with winds over 200 mph on Monday afternoon. Tina :0) via Compfight Watching news reports and listening to the heart-wrenching (and heart-warming) stories creates a sober gratitude for the safety of our daughters and their families. Even as I woke up this morning to [...]

Toddlers don’t like it either

Steve Laswell — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:49:25 +0000

Brad, a young leader running a successful family-owned manufacturing company, had breakfast with me recently. It’s been two years since his executive coaching. His experience proved insightful and encouraging… “Brad, how has your leadership been shaped for this?” I asked. He paused thoughtfully, then replied, “The #1 skill I continue to work on is knowing [...]

When your performance sucks

Steve Laswell — Tue, 07 May 2013 04:38:55 +0000

Natalie Gilbert was invited to perform the Star-Spangled Banner. Memorized and rehearsed she had performed it so many times she could belt it out blindfolded. A booming voice delivers the introduction: And now, to honor America and salute the men and women serving our country, with our National Anthem. Please welcome – as voted by [...]

Climb out of the dumpster

Steve Laswell — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:49:04 +0000

Before opening his menu to order breakfast, Scott reeled off updates on his life. His concern? “It’s turning into a season.” (An extended life experience instead of a speed bump.) Chris Devers via Compfight Last week a key player on his team suffered a stroke. Fourteen years of expertise, experience, and knowledge held hostage. His [...]

The Control of Letting Go

Steve Laswell — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:45:44 +0000

Her control-oriented manager was frustrated letting Sara know all that she was doing wrong. The emotion was equal to the frustration, “It’s a good thing I didn’t come to your office yesterday or I would have walked you out the door right then.” Martin Gommel via Compfight Sara’s manager represents another hostage of “out-of-control” behavior. [...]

What if you care too much?

Steve Laswell — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:45:48 +0000

Last week, I shared my story of planning and hosting a family reunion. How something so “once-in-a-life-time” became stressful. There’s more to discover. As a recovering perfectionist, my desire for everything to be “perfect” casually slipped into trying to control. nicdalic via Compfight You and I know that the demand for perfection is a flawed [...]

What if you don’t let go?

Steve Laswell — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:45:39 +0000

They journeyed from Southern California, New York, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma City. Scattered by the Story, we created space for a family reunion in Tulsa. Nico via Compfight Hosting something so “once-in-a-life-time” can be stressful. I wanted everything to be “perfect” for my family. Sound familiar? What about the way you work or run your [...]

Which Half Do You See?

Steve Laswell — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:45:47 +0000

“Is the glass half empty or half full?” Google the phrase and you’ll see Wikipedia places “half empty” in front of “half full.” Rishi S via Compfight Interesting. Why is the wording not, “Is the glass half full or half empty?” This idiom promotes a way to explore differing worldviews and illustrates how people can see [...]

Are You a Greedy Monkey?

Steve Laswell — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:47:19 +0000

Here’s the short story about The Monkey and The Juggler. In a mango orchard outside a village there lived a mischievous monkey. The whole day, he would jump from one tree to another. Thus the monkey kept on eating the ripe mangoes. The orchard-keeper tried to trap the monkey. But every time the monkey [...]

Enter the Safety Zone

Steve Laswell — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 04:45:40 +0000

Step on to the playground and listen. As tensions rise, you just might hear a preschooler or perhaps a kindergartener squeal, “My dad can do anything!” Flash back to 1946 and hear the battle of the sexes put to music as Ethel Merman and Ray Middleton perform “Anything You Can Do” in Annie Get Your [...]