Nicola McHale Blog // Leadership Coaching and Team Dynamics // Vi International

Drama Crisis in your Business and in your life?

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Mon, 19 May 2014 13:33:00 +0000

What happens when a drama hits your business or your life?

Sometimes big stuff happens and we find our selves in a very difficult situation - how do you react? How can you ensure you are in Control, have the Influence and keep your Integrity?

Decide on the Outcome you want and what that will do for you when you succeed at achieving it. Go to a time in the future (say 3 months) when you have achieved it. What will success look like? What will be happening to tell you that everything is ok? What will you see, hear and how will you feel? Be specific.

Now - who can help you? Who do you know that can support you?
What resources do you already have available? Your knowledge, strengths, expertise?
When have you done something similar before? What did you do then?
List as many as you can.

What actions do you need to take now?
What is the Number 1 action that you have to do first?

What could stop you being successful?

Take each one of these points and ask yourself the question - What do I need to do to solve this one?

Picture your Vision of Success and make it happen. Review it daily as things change and be brave standing for your Integrity.
Stop and think before you act!
Don't make others wrong!
Hold yourself accountable
Check yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 10:34:00 +0000

The Art of Communication has changed - How do you ensure your Teams communicate effectively?

Communication is changing fast we can hardly keep up with it and yet we can still get it so wrong!

People 'hide' behind emails to deliver bad news - do you do that. Do you power of an email and regret it later when the backlash is all apparent? Do you rely on email to deliver the news good or bad?

Email, text, twitter are all great when used well but can cause monumental problems when they are used to deliver the wrong message in the wrong way to the wrong people at the wrong time.

So it is not surprising when team relationships break down, when partnerships dissolve, when business and team's fail because of ineffective communication.

Most people avoid confrontation face to face and will do anything to stop that happening. They hide then power off the email to the poor unsuspecting person. They open it and either fire one back or they wait gather momentum before they retort, cc'ing in everyone, escalating unnecessarily, Either way it does not work.

Teams can avoid this by coming together face to face regularly!
Teams must build the Trust and that is difficult to do once there is a problem between people.
Trust is built by having robust courageous conversations about the problems a team is facing.

Global Teams can use Tele Presence. A Tele Presence Team Session is just as good almost as a face to face. It is proving very successful in transforming teams who cannot meet face to face because of budget limitations.

A few tips;

1 Tell 'them' as soon as possible by phone or face to face.
2 Don't jump to conclusions without speaking
3 Don't send that email - stop and think first.
4 Put the effort in upfront to build the trust
5 Be honest - be open - just talk.

By all means use everything available to us to communicate better - just make sure you do it right!
Great Leaders take the time to communicate in person, face to face with regular telephone calls!

Great Leaders Stop and Reflect now!

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:39:00 +0000

Great Leaders stop now and they reflect on the last year and they ask themselves how did I do?

Career - Think over the Challenges I have had this year.

What did I learn and what could I have done differently?

Did I reach my targets, my goals? If not why not?What could I do differently in 2013?

My Business Partner Relationships - Benchmark them? Who do I need to influence in 2013?

Personal development - What did I learn? How did I stretch myself? What do I want to learn in 2013?

Environment - What Culture do I have around me? How did I influence the culture and what can I do differently in 2013 to bring a healthier Culture to my team and my business?

Health and Fitness - Am I fit to Lead? How stressed have I been and how did I manage the Stress in 2012. What am I going to do differently in 2013?

Am I living and being my Purpose?
Am I true to my Values?

How have I stopped my self from being the Best I can be? What am I going to do differently to realign, reset and just be me!

Perhaps it is the right time for you to do a check in with you. I know I will.

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:12:00 +0000

Time for yourself is so important as you grow in your role, grow your team and improve your results. Seldom do we give ourselves that time - why not?

Research continues to tell us we cannot 'run on empty' and yet we continue to try. We would not attempt to drive our cars without filling up the tank - so why do we think we can continue putting ourselves at risk?

When did you last have fun at work, with your Team, with your colleagues and yet we know it makes a huge difference to engagement, motivation and achievement.

As we end the year perhaps it is time to do an inventory now - how fulfilled are you?

Benchmark them 1 - 10

Your Career
Your Finances - $/£
Your Health and Fitness
Your Relationships - Friends and family
Your Environment - work and home
Personal Development

What does it look like to you now and what would you like it to look like this time next year?

It will make a difference if you make the time to change what is not working.

Ask yourself the question - What do I want to change - and change it!

So you do have emotions don't you?

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:08:00 +0000

Well Done to Andy Murray for showing us his emotions at last.It's great because at last you have connected with the public Andy.Now you can look us in the eye.More importantly you have connected with yourself and that will mean the difference between success and failure for you. Now we will see how your coaches help you to use that connection to drive you forward to win a Grand Slam. You can do it!

Great Leaders show their emotions! They know themselves from the inside out and are comfortable with who they are and how to communicate it to the outside world. They use every emotion to drive themselves forward when facing the toughest of obstacles. They use their power, their strength and their energy to ensure they succeed.

They know 'what' the emotion is.
They know 'where' it is in their body.
They know 'what' triggers the emotion to be there.
They know 'why' it is there.
They know it has a positive intention for them.
They know in short 'what' it feels like.

Vitally they know 'how' to manage them.

They don't just feel them they use them to drive them.They have high self control - not too much so they are distant and disconnected but enough to influence,connect and show their passion and commitment.They have enough self control so they don't;

Lose their temper
Shout and scream
Rant and rage
Storm out of meetings
Cut you off
Blame everyone else
Cry in meetings

Instead they spend time alone preparing themselves.Understanding their feelings and ensuring they tap into the energy they bring.They focus on success and they motivate themselves to achieve it.
They know that if the feeling is 'fear' or 'anger' then they need to go an exercise, take a walk , take some time to work it through.They remind themselves that over 66% of success is down to their Emotional Intelligence so they welcome their emotions.

Then they connect with you their stakeholders.They can build the empathy and rapport with you because they pay attention to you.The focus is off themselves and on to you.

So enjoy your emotions.They are normal. It is OK to feel them.They are there as a call to action.
They are there to look after you and keep you safe.

So build your EQ now.

Network Holdings Group Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:04:00 +0000

I was asked to be a guest speaker at the Network Holdings Group Conference on 21st March.

The title of my Presentation was ‘It’s up to you if your business succeeds or fails – Transform your team now’.

What a brilliant group of like-minded senior Recruitment Professionals. They were open and eager to learn how they could improve their leadership to survive and thrive in this tough climate.

So what did we talk about? It was to bring my recent book – Transforming Teams alive. Everyone received a copy thanks to Jon Smith, Director so they went back with a coaching tool which will be with them for many years to come.

Where did we start?

I start where I always start - with you! It is up to you, it will be because of you if you succeed or fail. So take ownership now, set yourselves apart and start thinking – what makes you different?

The Recruitment Industry does not have a great reputation so ensure you are different. Build that reputation. Build the trust firstly with your employees because they are the ‘touch point‘ with the candidates and the clients.

You will lead the culture in your business along with your senior team.

You are responsible for inspiring, leading and motivating your teams.

You are responsible for leading, achieving and celebrating great results.

They started by identifying key mentors they had in the past, their greatest leaders who had taught them the most. What was different about that person compared to their worst leader or manager? Values differentiated them. People who were consistent, who supported them, were honest with them - who had integrity and generated great trust and loyalty.

The group then started to think about what their vision of success would look like? Then I coached them through the 7 levels of Leadership Alignment which is in my book. That way everyone can set themselves apart from bad leaders and build greater trust and loyalty from staff, candidates and clients.

We then moved on to Part 2 of the book – Build your Teams and discussed how to avoid the 5 Roadblocks of team/business failure. The key area being to build deep trust with everyone you work with and do business with. One way of doing that is to have robust, clear and courageous conversations so there are no elephants in your office. We moved on to Part 3 of the book - Achieve your Results and I shared how vital it is to focus on the right results, have a clear vision of success and how you are going to get there and to ensure your thinking drives successful behaviours in your business. So if your business is underperforming – know what you want and change your thinking to change the behaviour!

Sounds simple doesn’t it but we all know it is not especially if you know your business is underperforming where do you start?

Start with the end in mind as Stephen Covey says. Your vision of success - create a shared vision with your team/s. Don’t tell them what your vision is – it must be created together so you gain their commitment.

Then have a Cultural Audit done by an external company so you know what the true climate is in your business, be open to know and do something to change it.

As a Member of the IOR Genius Team I was impressed, they listened, they connected and they shared – and they all committed to go back and do something different in their businesses.

So if you want to know more or you have problems in your team or with your clients then contact us..

Leadership Morality - do you have it?

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:31:00 +0000

Well Done Greg Smith, previously an Executive Director, for standing up for Integrity in Leadership. At last someone is courageous and highlighting what is going on inside many organisations today.

The effect on normal intelligent, integral Senior Executives is profound when they are in a toxic culture. It's like a cancer spreading and deepening into the moral fibre of the company. They have little time for a personal life as their leaders expect returns overnight, whilst on holiday and over weekends. Their Global world continues 24/7. This puts huge demands on their physical and emotional health, their personal relationships and it causes huge amounts of long term stress. This can and does happen at the most senior levels in corporate organisations today. If this toxic culture is rewarded then you change the culture very quickly and the cancer spreads.

Of course if you are one of these corporate bullies, it's ok that you survive and perpetuate the behaviour and the culture, but if you are not, if you are an integral leader, then it is a horrendous situation to be in and in the end something breaks. Everyone who is integral must stand for real authentic leadership now or we will have more morally corrupt organisations who fail their people, their clients and their shareholders. Stand Up now - but how?

All senior leaders at the highest levels must stop and be open to assessing the true reality of the culture. Don't ignore what you are hearing, seeing and feeling. It starts with you - you define the culture of the business and so does every single person at senior level. Don't make excuses because it will be because of you that the culture becomes toxic, so take ownership now you can change it.

First Step - start with a Culture Audit. You cannot change the culture unless you know what it is really like. Don't be defensive. Great leaders always listen to their people and their customers first.

Second Step - take ownership for the future vision and values of your business. Words are not enough, they must be visible in the behaviours of senior leaders first. Hold yourselves accountable.

Third Step - cascade this throughout your business, involve the whole organisation, every team and every individual.

Changing the culture takes time, investment, determination and bravery. Do it before you destroy your team, business and your results.

The culture must be in the DNA, the moral fibre, visible in everything you say and do - not just corporate words. They mean nothing if not reflected in the moral fibre and there is no integrity to that kind of leadership. It takes an authentic leader to stand up and be counted and we need them now.

I have met, coached and developed some amazing leaders over my 25 year career. Each one has gone on to maintain their integrity even when times have been tough. As a result they have changed the cultures in their teams, made a stand for integral leadership and have achieved great results in their organisations.

It can be done but you have to be brave, courageous and very determined to stand for what is right.

Mind Coaching for the Brighton 2012 Marathon Runners

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:23:00 +0000

Friday was the day – I gave my time back to Brighton.

My aim was to help the Marathon Runners supporting the The Whitehawk Inn to get their minds fit for the event. Body-fit is not enough as Sir Edmund Hilary said "It’s not the mountain you have to conquer - it is yourself"

Our mind can be our worst competitor. It can turn against us. It can stop us before we have started.

I remember being on the edge of a very challenging ski slope many years ago and becoming terrified by thinking I could not turn. My mind had stopped me, every part of me was terrified, so frightened I could not turn – but because of my training I could train my brain to let me go and eventually after a great deal of discussion with myself and visioning success, I got myself down that slope and have never looked back.

So I wanted to give some hints and tips to help the runners to get in control of their minds.

What did we do?

I helped them get clear on their 'Purpose' – the 'why' they are running the Marathon. You must have a clearly defined purpose - the reason why.

We then got clear on their 'Vision of Success' – what would be happening when they were successful. Successful people have a very clear 'Vision'. They are able to go forward in their minds and act ‘as if’ they have already achieved success. We did that.

We discussed their strengths and capabilities – the 'what' they had already that could help them. Using the resources you already have available make it easier than working without them. Use them to help you to be successful now.

Then we talked about their Beliefs! Thinking drives behaviour, so it is vital to think for success, not failure. We identified what might stop them? How they might stop themselves? Once we knew the answers to that question, then we started the process of changing some self-limiting beliefs and behaviours. I selected one of the participants and took them through a 'belief change cycle'. It was amazing for her and great for the others to see ‘how’ to change your thoughts. She came out with a clearly defined belief structure which will enable her success.

Finally, we focused on the timeline and what and how they organised their minds in relation to time. Some were well planned, whilst others were not and had done very little preparation. So knowing what success looks like, start with the end in mind and act as if you are already there – that could apply to any thinking for any sport or business.

Train your mind for success, not failure and don’t be your own worst enemy.

Are you a Bad Boss?

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:58:00 +0000

So you think you are a great Leader do you? What if you are not really, what if you are portraying the first signs of bully leadership - what can you do about it?

Bad Leaders are made, not born. I believe that everyone has the capacity in them to be an amazing Leader both of themselves and of others. Sadly in today’s competitive world, in a climate of fear we are seeing the return of the corporate bully. It starts with you. It is down to you and it will be because of you that the people you lead succeed or fail.

First step is to improve your self-awareness. It is no good blaming others or pretending you don’t know what you are doing or the effect it has. Stop and think about who you really are. What are your strengths and what are your gaps? What stresses you? What are your triggers? What are you afraid of? Where did this come from? What makes you angry and where did this come from? Know how you are feeling and why? Don’t let the past control you.

Second step is to improve your self-management. You may have intense responses to the triggers but do not let yourself down by responding unprofessionally. Stay calm. Take time before you respond. Read the poem ‘If‘ by Rudyard Kipling and take note of it all. Don’t shout, don’t raise your voice and don’t say or do anything you will regret later. Don’t lie to yourself or others. Listen to feedback; hear what someone else is really saying. Exercise to clear yourself of the anger and fear which is driving you.

Third step is to build your awareness of others. Notice all the cues. See, hear and notice the effect your behaviour is having on them. See the change in expression, a change of body language, posture, eye contact. Don’t ignore what you are seeing before you. Ask questions, take an interest in someone. Find out about them, put yourself in their shoes. The person who is causing you the most issues is there for a reason. They are there to teach you something about you – what is that? Build rapport with them.

Fourth step is to build strong relationships with all the key people in your business. Build the trust, have open debate, talk about what really needs to be talked about. What are you not saying that if said would make the difference? Have ‘clean and clear’ conversations. Build your influence; make a positive impact on everyone you meet in your life because the legacy you leave will stay forever. Make sure it’s a positive one.

So in summary;

Do take responsibility for your behaviours and your actions
Don’t blame anyone else. Don’t make them wrong and you right
Talk about the real issues. Don’t avoid the elephants! Don’t have half a conversation
Don’t manipulate for your own justification,self-belief and confidence
Stop being controlling. Stay calm inside and ask open questions instead
Stop using the ‘must’ ‘have to’ ‘should do’- Empower and coach someone to make their own decisions as they will grow and learn quicker
Stop deleting, distorting and generalising the facts of a situation. Instead be honest. Replay what exactly happened not what you made of it
Don’t take the credit for what someone else has done. Be brave and recognise them
Don’t call, email them at all times of the weekend, night or when they are on holiday. Give them space to recover and reenergise
Don’t belittle, dis-empower and ‘bully’ anyone
… and if you still know deep inside that you have the potential to be a bad leader then get some professional help before it’s too late and you have destroyed the spirit of your team, your organisation and personal careers

Take personal responsibility now and make 2012 the year you focus on ‘how’ to lead.

What is your Vision of Success?

First Impressions Matter

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:49:00 +0000

You could lose your next sale before you have even uttered a word!

90% of people have formed an opinion about you in under 60 seconds.

They think they know you:

Your age
Your experience
Your knowledge
Your level of intelligence
….. and they are assessing if they trust and respect you

You cannot stop it; we are programmed to check people out.

So successful people stop and think about the impression they want to make. Take people like:

Richard Branson
David Cameron
Barack Obama
Boris Johnson
Ghandi

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

All different characters, in different cultures, with a different impact - it’s not an accident – their impact is planned. A sales person should stop and think carefully about the impression they want to make. Think of words you would want to say about you. For example:

"He’s professional, approachable, dynamic and I trust him. He will be honest with me."

"She’s bright, experienced, focused and I respect her knowledge and trust her judgement."

First impressions can be broken down into 4 core areas.

Your

Ø Appearance - How you look.

Ø Voice - How you speak

Ø Content – What you say? How you listen?

Ø Connection - How you connect with your ‘customer’

Never, ever underestimate the power of your first impression. When you find your innate style, the one that fits you and your values, you will be amazing. You will connect with 80 – 95% of people.

When you meet someone for the first time, the human senses are heightened. The visual sense takes over and looks intently at everything it can see - height, size, clothes, expressions, eye contact, and movement. Everything that someone sees as they look at you delivers a message about you. From your hairstyle down to the tips of your shoes - your pen, your pad, your telephone, they all carry a message. The way you walk, your handshake, your posture, your expressions and the way you use your hands, all tell someone else about you. Are you sending out the right messages for you?

The auditory sense listens for the sound of the voice, the volume, the speed, the tonality and use of the pause. All the information is being processed in milli seconds and the kinaesthetic part of the brain is coming up with its answers about how it feels, about what it is seeing and hearing.

All that information is taken deep inside the unconscious mind and is evaluated against our values, our experiences.

So it is a difficult process and you are not going to influence and connect with everyone. But there is a huge amount you can do to improve your personal Impact and ensure you are projecting a better First Impression.

Simple Actions you can take now:

1. Reassess your business wardrobe

Invest in clothes that ‘say’ what you want to ‘say’ and create the right First Impression
Hire an experienced and qualified Image Coach
Clothes are an expression of who you are

2. Improve your Voice

Hire a Voice Coach if you know you need one - 80% of people do not like their voice.
Practice your spoken message
Strengthen and deepen your voice
Use the pause for maximum effect
Emphasise key words
Your voice is your greatest tool

3. Improve your Body Language

Smile – it costs nothing, but means everything
Breathe deeply to calm nerves
Eye contact – don’t stare people out but pace their eye contact.
Match Body Language energy with your customer

4. Learn to connect on a Social Level

Ask some open questions
Get to know the person you are meeting
Find a common interest
Take Time to connect on a deeper level
Find out their values

5. Listen carefully and remember what they say

Make notes after if you have to
Listen for their values, trust, honesty, integrity, fun?
Listen for their vision of success

…. and remember it takes just 60 seconds to make or break that first impression – make sure you get it right!

Your first Impressions

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:45:00 +0000

Did you see the photo last week of Willie Walsh (BA) and Michael O'Leary(RyanAir) - one looked very smart, very professional, on the ball, focussed and alert whilst the other looked crumpled, tired, down trodden,resigned and a failure.

It was a serious issue, serious meeting at the Stock Exchange against the government and yet one looked prepared and one certainly did not.

90% of people form an opinion about you in the first 60 seconds.They judge how you look,how you speak, how you act and form opinions based on that information.You cannot stop it happening,it is part of human behaviour. All you can do is manage the message you are sending out.

Start by stopping and thinking about what is your brand,what do you want people to think about you? Professional, trustworthy, credible, dynamic, edgy? What are the five key words to describe you and your business?

People can fail to connect on many levels and often fail an interview before they have even uttered a word.So what more can you do about your first impression?

Start with your wardrobe - how do you look? Do your clothes match the words you described your self as?Are you sure? Ask for feedback.Invest in a professional wardrobe that accuratley represents you.Invest in an Impact Coach

Improve your delivery - develop your breathing.Your voice is your greatest tool.Deep breathing is essential to a great voice.Practice, record yourself speaking.Get your elevator pitch perfect.Pause,think ,listen to what is being said and never interrrupt.Invest in avoice Coach.

Body Language is essential.Lowering your breathing calms your body language down.Your body language should align with the words you are speaking for people to believe you.Posture,deportment and alignment is vital.

Listening to the other person is critical.Connect on every level you can to build the rapport because you may never get another chance if you don't.

As an experienced Impact Coach in Global Multinationals I know it is always the person who thinks,prepares and demonstrates integrally who they are who is the most successfull.

You are the deliverer of your message - make sure it's congruent with who you really are to be successfull

Stress in the City

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:40:00 +0000

Stress - it's always been there and I think it always will be there.

We need a certain amount of stress to function well because our brain and our bodies have the 'fight or flight' response - we just need to know how to use it.

The problem with a lot of people in senior management is that they think they are invincible. They think their IQ is enough. They think EQ (Emotional Intelligence) is 'soft and fluffy stuff'.
However, it has been proven that what makes success is 66.66% EQ and 33.33% IQ - proving that we need both to be successful and healthy.

EQ starts with fully knowing and understanding yourself - self awareness is vital. If you know yourself - your strengths - your triggers - your stressers - your gaps - your vision AND your emotional responses - only then can you manage yourself and lead others to success.

In my experience, senior leaders try to be great at everything. They won't admit to feeling vulnerable and feeling the fear - they think it's a sign of weakness - when actually, I believe, it's a sign of strength. They often don't delegate well and therefore, don't spend enough time with the people that can help them - their team, because they think they should be able to operate effectively alone.

It can be very lonely being THE one in charge.

So what are the signs? The fears and concerns mount, self-management is poor, their behaviour becomes erratic, communication may fail, they may go quiet and they may become more controlling at work and at home!

So what can we do?

We can take the time, we can be brave and we can be courageous - and ask them - what we can do to support them. Organisations can provide coaching support for every senior leader, so they can share their needs with a qualified coach.

What can the leader do?

Learn to self-manage, know when you need support, be prepared to ask for the support - and - take time off to renew your energies!

Celebrating Success

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:47:00 +0000

The Launch of ‘Tranforming Teams’ (#TTeams) was amazing last night. I just loved every second – it was a real celebration.

It was awesome to see so many people from different organisations connecting, sharing and learning together.

The mix of public sector with the multi nationals – seeing people there from the media, marketing, legal, accountancy and recruitment was amazing and proved that we can always learn and at some level we all have a lot in common.

The themes united the group, they found that many shared the same issues, they heard about the differences in their leadership styles and businesses.

By being open to listen to others who are ‘different’ and from different backgrounds we can learn so much – and make an even bigger difference – when did you last do that?

My VIP speakers were inspiring, everyone listened to their ‘journey’s’ of development to where they are now. I couldn’t help remembering when I first met them and worked with them – how different they are today. How they are bringing the leadership personality alive to make a difference in the bigger, wider world. I thought back to some of the challenging moments we had together and how they took those challenges and did something with them.

A huge thank you to my VIP speakers – I can tell everyone how they ‘should’ lead better – you told it in an authentic way – as living proof ‘that this stuff really works’!

The evening had a great buzz – everyone learned something which they can use today to be an even better leader. Transforming Teams will help them – it is a guide for your career.

One exercise we did was to ask everyone to think about one of their greatest mentors/leaders they have ever had – who was yours? Who made the biggest difference to you? What did you learn from them? And once they had shared that with the table – we asked them - what do you want your leadership legacy to be? How do you want to be remembered?

Start now or you may have your ladder against the wrong wall – painting the wrong window.

Now do this with your top team – go on be courageous.

Transforming Teams – How do you do that?

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:41:00 +0000

How to work together to ensure success – spend quality time together.

Build the Trust

Teams who don’t trust their leader will never succeed.

Teams who don’t trust each other will never succeed.

So what breaks trust?

§ Leaders who say one thing and do another

§ Leaders who gossip about their team to their team

§ Leaders who ‘set’ team member up against each other

§ Leaders who don’t give feed-back

§ Leaders who don’t give feed-forward

§ Leaders who don’t mentor or coach

§ Leaders who don’t acknowledge strengths

§ Leaders who don’t take responsibility

§ Leaders who don’t celebrate success

§ Leaders who don’t allow people to say what they need to say

§ Leaders who don’t encourage open debate

§ Leaders who don’t listen

§ Leaders who don’t include their team decisions

It’s the same in every relationship – we need to talk about ‘things’ that matter, talk about concerns, our fears, our workers. We need to know and understand one another’s strengths, the support we need, talk about our challenges and share ideas.

There is no trust if there is no conflict management and there is no conflict management without trust. People will not open up, share issues and concerns or challenge each other if there is no trust.

So the first thing to establish in your team/organisation’s relationship is trust.

How do you do that?

§ Share about yourself – be open

§ Laugh about yourself

§ Be interested in others

§ Take the time to get to know ‘who’ people really are and what motivates them

§ Take the time to get to know each other

§ Socialise and have fun as a team

§ Be a part of the team

§ Create a 'Shared Vision'

§ Focus

§ Bring the spirit of the team alive

§ Motivate and inspire

§ Include them – you can do this with your families too!!!

Everyone has to have the conversation – say what they need to say to the right person in the right way to understand.

Seek to understand.

So David Cameron says Leadership is important...

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:15:00 +0000

I say it’s not just important it is absolutely vital to our survival. It is the only thing that will turn our country around… and the global economies.

I was also struck with the amazing self-leadership shown on the UK Pride of Britain awards last night. Amazing true examples of ordinary people doing the extraordinary. So how do they do that? What makes them different?

Well what we know (if we really listen to what they are saying) is that they never ever give up. They are determined, they accept what they cannot change (losing legs/blindness etc) and they focus on what they can do.

Take your life/career now and apply these 2 different sets of questions:

A What are the problems/issues you have?

What is wrong with your life/career right now?

How long has it been this way?

Whose fault is it/who is to blame?

B What do you want?

What is your vision of success?

What resources do you have now to help you?

What 5 actions are you going to take now?

Great self leaders don’t stay stuck in a problem, they don’t blame others and dwell on all the problems with society etc. They do something about it, they take action and they never give up.

Self-leadership is about you and it will be because of you, you succeed or fail.

So decide now and do something about changing what you want to change in your life/career today.

Impact is Critical

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:10:00 +0000

All great leaders have amazing impact – something about them exudes gravitas. What is it that makes the difference? What makes people want to work with them, be in their team and work in their organisation?

Impact is subjective, almost intangible at times – but we know when we have been in the presence of someone truly inspiring.

Impact is present both on the ‘outside and the inside of us’. Leaders who have gravitas are authentic and have integrity are ‘at one’ with themselves. So what is it when you break it all down?

Outside – what we see on the outside is a person who is at ease with themselves and others. They connect immediately, they are interested in you, they seem to have an incredibly range of probing questions to ask that make you stop and think. One question can change a mind set and they know that. Their body language is congruent and energised. You come away from them feeling inspired and motivated not drained and negative. What do they do to be able to do that? They connect directly with you at a values level, they cause you to think further ahead than now, they probe what you learned from the past .They seem to be able to help you see what you are great at and what you could develop – they give you so much without saying too much. They are interested in you.

They remember the small things about you. They remember you had a holiday, they remember to ask how you are. They have amazing new stories.

They are confident. They know their strengths and they know how to use them to have the best effect.

They don’t try to be anyone else.

They know where their ‘gaps’ are, what they don’t do well and they are always open to learning.

They laugh at themselves – they are not defensive.

They know and understand the impact of their emotions; they welcome them and use them to inspire. It’s ok to feel the fear. It’s ok to feel the frustration. It’s ok to be angry, as long as you are angry with the right person in the right way. That is an art and they have that art.

They pick up all the nuances and are flexible in their behaviour and are open to learn from you.

You are important to them!

Leadership starts with you, it’s down to you and it is up to you...

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:03:00 +0000

If your team, organisation or business is not high-performing then remember that – it is down to you!

It’s no good blaming everyone else, everything else. It is time to stop and think about how you’ve caused this to happen – because until you do, nothing will change.

So accepting this ‘place’ right now and taking some time with yourself is a great place to start. You must take responsibility and accountability for transforming yourself and your team now. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Are you ready to look deep inside? You will need to be able to access your true leadership personality. The one that will make the difference and change the future.

We learn how to lead from other leaders – so start with thinking about your greatest leader – the one that made the biggest difference to your career or life so far. Who were they? What did they teach you? What did you learn about leadership? Also think of one of the worse leaders or teachers you’ve ever had and what did you learn from them? What did they teach you?

Write down and get very clear on what you have learned about leadership from all of your experiences.

My greatest leaders were my parents. My mother was the eternal optimist, always wanting to try new things, experiment, highly creating, energetic and intuitive. My father was a problem solver, always calm and considered. He was adept at analysing and solving the problem. Without upsetting anyone he was firm but fair and challenging in his questions. A great debater. Our parents are often our greatest leaders – what did yours teach you?

Aim to be the best version of yourself you can be. Improve your self-awareness. Great leaders know themselves inside and out. They know their triggers/suppressors - what are yours? They know and understand why they feel the way they feel – do you?

They are seen as confident but not over confident. You will not inspire confidence unless you are confident. They are confident because they know what they are great at. What their core strengths are – what are yours? Every leader will have different strengths and that’s ok, that’s what makes you unique. There is no one perfect model for being a great leader – everyone is different – but great leaders do have a few common strengths – they are all trustworthy, honest and inspirational. They are integral, they do motivate and they do listen, hear and understand you.

They use their strengths.

Using your strengths is vital to being a great Leader

Take one of your strengths – mine is I am very courageous and determined – nothing will stop me and no one will stop me. Now feel what it feels like to use that strength. This is the ‘Strengths surge’. When I feel that determined strength my breathing is low and deep, I feel very strong inside – all the way through me – my brain is very focused. Then I get started on what I am going to do – what about you – what is your Strengths Surge and what does it do for you?

Being honest with yourself and taking responsibility for yourself and your results – what could stop you? How could you stop yourself? Every human being is plagued by self doubt at some level and in some way, shape or form at some time in their career. Great leaders don’t let that stop them – they know how to turn that into success. Self limiting beliefs drive self limiting behaviours – how do you stop your own success?

I know there is a part of me that will try and stop me ‘you won’t be able to do that’, ‘they won’t be interested in that’, ‘they will have heard it all before etc’.

It’s the ability to be able to ‘switch off’ the negative self-talk and turn it into something more positive and achievable that makes the difference between a great leader and one that is not as good. Take the time to analyse your self-talk and turn it around before it stops you.

Transform yourself – be the best version of you, you can be - then you can transform your team.

Strange Sights

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:35:00 +0000

I wonder who they work for and who they are trying to influence. It amazes me how some people dress – do they think about what they are saying about themselves?

I can’t believe they look in a mirror before they leave for work.

Have they even showered?

Have they washed their hair? They certainly don’t look as if they have or even bother about what they ‘look’ like.

Don’t they know they are being ‘judged’ all the time?

Impressions are made in seconds and last – it’s very difficult to ‘undo’ or change a negative impression.

I wonder what difference it would make to their world if they bothered...?

Why Can’t People Communicate?

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:33:00 +0000

Some people just can’t communicate effectively. Why are some people so negative about everything? Whatever you say they reply with an issue, problem, or negative statement. It is exhausting and demotivating. Why not think positively and why do people not say what they think? Why do they say everything else and hope you get the hint?

We are not mind readers.

We don’t know what you are thinking (unless you say it).

Why do we make assumptions from everything people say and have the ability to change the meaning?

Communication – be very aware of how you are communicating and the effect it is having.

Body Language – Tells the True Story About You

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:31:00 +0000

We are born with total freedom to be ourselves – why does that have to change?

By the time we are teenagers our body language changes and we can ‘look’ very negative, unless we stay very aware of how we are using our bodies.

Every day I see people who are neck and head down almost laying in their chairs, frowning – it makes me feel concerned - tapping their pens, tapping their feet, stroking one leg continuously – what is going on inside them?

Why allow yourself to become like that?

Take a look at your body language and ask for feedback.

Introduction

noreply@blogger.com (Vi International) — Thu, 12 May 2011 01:18:00 +0000

Founder and Master Coach

Nicola McHale (formerly Ross) has over 25 years experience as an Executive Coach to Global Organisations. Her depth of knowledge and integrity mean that she has strong relationships with senior leaders as they drive sensitive and dramatic change across their business.

As a successful coach, Nicola demonstrates flexibility, adaptability, the expertise to pace the
individual/organisation, the ability to call on a wealth of experience; plus a strong tool-kit of models and techniques that can be used to intervene when normal conversations become abnormal.

Nicola developed Vi’s ‘Inside out and Outside in’ approach which has enabled leaders to achieve outstanding Customers, Employee and Shareholder results rising year on year:

‘Our philosophy model means that, when working with an individual, team or organisation from deep on the inside - It then enables that depth of understanding to manifest itself on the outside too. The way the individual or company then behaves ensures transformational change, it will be change that lasts, change that is authentic and this will always lead to success.
That is why Vi is different.’

Experience

Nicola has worked throughout the world with leaders as they move organisations and roles. They say that her knowledge and experience has been instrumental to their career progression and that is why 100% of Nicola's business is by referral. Her extensive experience delivering across Europe, Asia and the US have given her the ‘edge’ when working with 'Global Organisations' who need to drive sensitive transformation and be the best in the markets they operate in.

Nicola has an ability to work through abstract scenario building in the absence of concrete facts and decisions, to enable ‘the coachee’ to determine outcomes that would be mutually beneficial for both the individual and the organisation. Examples of this type of expertise are given when a company is considering new roles, there are changes to an organisational structure, there is a more dramatic career change, or indeed an organisation is changing completely.

Achievements

Established Vi International In 1988 and developed into an International business delivering in Europe, Asia and the USA.
A regular supporter of Young Enterprise working alongside American Express.
Nicola has guided her business through two recessions with a first class record of achievement.
Developed the ‘Inside Out and Outside In’ approach.
Achieved Preferred Supplier status with many large organisations.
A motivational speaker and Master Coach.

Specialism’s

Board and Senior Leadership Development.
Executive Team Development.
Executive Presence.
Stakeholder Development and Management.
Emotional Intelligence.
Women In Business.

Over the last 25 years Nicola has worked alongside Presidents, Vice Presidents, CEOs and General Managers and has partnered companies like: ABN/ AMRO, American Express, Diageo, LBG, NHS Trusts, Microsoft, HSBC Insurance Brokers, Virgin Atlantic, SCB and many more.

Nicola will prepare you and your company for unknown eventualities and decisions over which you have little or no control. By recognising the positive outcomes and opportunities that these changes could represent, you are significantly better prepared to work through the change curve quickly and then lead an organisation towards its new goals and company objectives.

To contact Nicola directly please email nicola.mchale@viinternational.com

www.ViInternational.com