Coaching Programs

Does your project seem like pushing a boulder uphill?

Would you like to implement change with more influence, confidence and impact?

For a decade in Chicago, I had several different roles as a change agent.  I implemented an enterprise-wide IT system, process improvements, innovation culture and the Balanced Scorecard, among others.  It was fun and challenging, but even though I had some successes, I often described implementing change as trying to stop a speeding freight train, or like banging my head against the wall.

After moving to Atlanta, I joined Balanced Scorecard Collaborative to run a 2-year extensive training program for corporate strategy and project managers on how to execute strategy — really, how to implement large-scale organizational change.  Despite providing concrete tools and processes, there was something missing; the participants still struggled with how to personally influence the changes in their own organizations.  So, I set out to fill the gap, and equip individuals to lead change from the middle.

Now, I work with people who are implementing a variety of initiatives — strategic planning, project management, process improvement, human resources, sustainability, and information technology.  Even though the projects are different, the challenge is the same – how do you influence change without having real authority? No amount of subject matter expertise or change management knowledge will help you if you can’t influence people to incorporate it into what they do on a daily basis.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution.  Every organization is different.  And every change agent is unique.

That is why coaching — one-on-one conversations in which we figure out how you can be the most influential in your specific situation — is the perfect solution.

The following are some of the issues my coaching clients have worked on with me:

• Gaining support from key leaders in the form of words and actions
• Overcoming resistance at all levels
• Preparing for high-stakes conversations and meetings
• Keeping short-term fires from trumping longer-term change
• Clarifying what really needs to change
• Getting responses from unresponsive people
• Finding the best path through tricky situations

Sound like this would help you?  Want to get started as soon as possible?  Fill out the brief application and take the next step toward becoming more influential in your organization.  If you still have more questions, keep reading!

How Does Coaching Work?

Coaching conversations occur conveniently over the telephone.  The frequency I’ve found works best is three 45-minute coaching sessions per month.

At the beginning, we’ll come up with overarching goals that you want to accomplish by the end of the program.  Then, during each session, we’ll work toward achieving them by finding solutions to your real-life challenges.  It’s as simple as that!

The beauty of coaching is that you are not sitting in a room away from your job, learning concepts that may or may not be applicable to your situation.  Instead, you are taking time to be deliberate about your next steps and learning how you can be influential – and then doing it!  With coaching, you make progress on you and your job without any extra fluff.

As I said before, there is no silver bullet to implement change.  The details of what we work on will depend on your initiative, your organization and yourself.  In general, as my coaching client, you will:

• Figure out with confidence how to influence people in your organization
• Increase your personal influence while still being yourself
• Create systems, tools or processes that will cause change to happen
• Make steady progress on implementing your initiative.

You may choose from 2 introductory coaching programs:

Not ready for this yet?  Check out my step-by-step guides for a do-it-yourself option on some specific challenges to implementing change.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is coaching different from consulting?

You pay consultants more to come to you, tell you what to do, and do some of the work for you.  When you hire me as a coach, you will be the change agent, getting the satisfaction of influencing the change yourself, and saving money in the process.

Is coaching like training?

With coaching, you will definitely learn, but it won’t be classroom concepts.  Instead, as the need arises, I will bring in my experience, knowledge and resources to the conversation to help you make informed next steps.

Can you really do this over the phone?  Don’t you need to be here to see what’s happening for yourself?

Absolutely!  It’s amazing what you can learn by listening.  From my experience, training and intuition as a coach and organizational change practitioner, I have a knack for asking questions that illuminate what is really going on and identifying what would help you be more effective.

Why should I hire someone to help me do my job?  Isn’t this what I get paid to do?

Seventy percent of change initiatives fail. Projects led from the middle have an even higher failure rate because personal influence is that much harder.  By working with me as your coach, you’ll have a partner to help you skillfully navigate the challenges of influencing without authority.  You will improve your effectiveness as a change agent while your organization directly benefits with real results.

Why do I need to apply for coaching?  What is involved in the application?

Before we agree to work together for several months, I just want to connect and make sure that coaching is right for you and your initiative.  The application is just a few short questions to help take that first step.  Plus, my time is limited!  Your application ensures you will start coaching with me as soon as possible.

I look forward to working with you to influence change in your organization!  If you have any questions, please contact me.

P.S.  If you would love to hire me as your coach but are unsure how to get the funds, would you apply anyway?  I’ll offer you a free coaching session to figure out how to influence your organization to pay for it.