Fan Mailbag
Some of this feedback is unsolicited, some of it
comes from my asking for feedback; and all of it is from the heart.
The feedback here falls into four categories:
- Leadership Coaching
- Coaching Happiness
- Programs and Presentations
- Newsletter
Leadership Coaching |
The Team Perspective:
"I want to thank you again for your work. [our manager]
took your sessions very seriously and was able to effectively
apply what she learned. The great thing about what you do
is that it not only applies to work, but more importantly
to life. And in watching her transform, and her willingness
to share her learnings with us, we were able to both directly
and indirectly benefit from your guidance. You should be proud
of yourself, as your influence may be but a drop in a bucket,
but the effects of that drop have reached out and touched
all areas." |
~ DJ, technical staff member reflecting on the outcome of his manager’s coaching experience
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"I've received great
value from working with you. On a conceptual level, you have
helped me articulate where I need to focus to move toward
my goals. On a tactical level, you have helped me develop
actionable plans to actually make the changes to improve my
performance. In addition, you've helped me see things differently
and see my blind spots. Unexpectedly, I think you helped me
discover things about myself I didn't know — I guess
I didn't expect the arc of the value you have helped me to
realize." |
~ J.W.,
senior partner in a Big 5 consulting firm
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| "Coaching
with Jim is well worth the investment of time and dollars.
I learned more about leadership and real world experience
through this sometimes gentle, sometimes tough coaching experience."
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~ Suzanne
Nixon, Senior VP of Development
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"Lessons
I learned from coaching:
- I discovered the difference
between being an Efficient Manager and an Effective Leader.
- I realized I did not ‘cross
function’ my tool kit. Tools I used quite efficiently
in one scenario were not being applied everywhere they
could be. I had to understand why I did NOT apply learned
tools to other situations, and discovered a few areas
I needed to adjust my thinking.
- I have learned to see the big
picture and prioritize; to ‘be tenacious and optimistic
in good and bad times’; to remember Health and Life
before Business. That I am a person who performs a function
- I am not ‘the function.’"
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~ Kathy
B, Director of Logistics
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“Jim, I can’t tell
you how much I appreciate your guidance, understanding,
patience and smiles. I now have the excitement of watching
the world around me and totally enjoying the sights and
sounds. My responses amaze me…all of it revolves around
me and within me, I approach life with the relaxation and
joy you’ve given me. A thanks is such a small word.
The strength you’ve given
me is in the mental and physical exercises that you provided.
Having them is my personal arsenal for happiness. Specifically,
I enjoy the ‘posturing’ you’ve taught
and I received the most benefit from the ‘build a
different path’ of getting through React to Respond
[this one allows me to fully enjoy and explore all the encounters
life gives me].
I also learned that I can learn
and be better every day. You said that I was coachable,
and I believe through our interactions you have ‘opened’
my heart and mind to be coachable at all levels, through
all interactions.
And I will tell you that
it has been a absolute delight getting to know you, …getting
to know who you are, and trying hard to mirror your special
gifts in my own life.”
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~
Deb Timko, Director of Project Quality, AG Interactive
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| "Throughout
the coaching process, I noticed [my manager's] increased understanding,
openness and compassion for others around her, specifically
those who report up to her both directly and indirectly. Her
ability to see the other person's perspective has increased
immensely. And where there once could have been confusion,
misunderstanding and even hostility; there is now an open
dialogue of communication. The once rough exterior she possessed
has now been replaced with an approachable respectability.
Where I previously felt I had to intervene when one of my
direct reports needed to speak with her directly, I now have
the comfort of knowing the conversation will be peaceful and
likely without incident. I no longer have to be the messenger
or go-between. [My manager's] growth has been a positive experience;
for myself, others who work around & with her but mostly for
her." |
~
J.D. - Member of a coaching client's team, reflecting on
the
changes he witnessed across five months of coaching
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| "What's
the financial figure I'd put on what I got from my coaching?
Priceless. I needed someone to assist me in changing, and
someone to cheer me forward instead of those that just accept
me as I was (which doesn't help me grow). You are willing
to listen instead of just hearing. And you always have a positive
attitude, no matter what!" |
~ Lydia
B, Manager in a Non-profit agency
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| "I
wish I was offered your coaching early in my career –
I now know what I have missed ;) Financially you are worth
50% of my yearly salary [I need the rest to pay bills ;)]"
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~ D.T.,
Project Manager at a Fortune 500 firm
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| "As
my coach, you push me to reach beyond what I think or know
myself capable of. You challenge me to explore new concepts
and discover my world and my self from a whole new perspective.
You precipitate dynamic action and purposeful response. I
never know what will emerge as we move along with our conversation
and inquiry, but it is always fascinating and 'growth-inducing.'
Thank you for touching my heart and mind, for challenging
me to move beyond what I think is possible and for supporting
the extraordinary in me. Thank you!" |
Elaine
E, Healthcare Manager
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| "I
am continually learning from you!" |
~ Donna
G, HR Manager for a logistics firm
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| "Thank
you for the coaching that you have provided. It has been a
pleasure working with you! Your coaching showed me that there
was always something I could do to solve my challenge."
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~ Jeanne
Walter, Department Manager
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| "Jim
is a great listener, and does an excellent job of reframing
conversations so that I could hear back what I was saying.
Very good at asking probing questions." |
~ Maureen
Moffatte, Executive Director for a Senior Care center
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| "I
have taken a [new] position. This opportunity is going to
put me more in line with my ultimate career goals. I do want
to thank you! Your coaching has helped my communication skills
during the interview process and also allowed me to confidently
make this decision for myself." |
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| "You
embody the true essence of an Ideator—you supplied the
right amount of balance between offering ideas for me to react
and allowing me space to generate and refine my own. You generated
ideas, but you weren't attached to them—that gave me
the freedom to create what felt right in real time."
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~ Michelle
James, President, The Center for Creative Emergence
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The things I like best about coaching with
Jim? |
| "Your
compassion, honesty and depth of knowledge." |
~ Beth Lukco,
Marketing Director
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| "The
encouragement and positive energy I get from you! You make
me believe I can do something even when I'm terrified..."
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| "The
honesty, truth, candor, and suggestions for stepping back
and approaching things differently." |
~ Suzanne
Beatrice, HR Manager
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| "Your
sense of humor, nothing fazes you in the process, those damn
powerful questions, and a sense of an unswerving dedication
to my growth." |
~ Todd Packer,
Entrepreneur
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| "It
was valuable to speak and interact with someone who has real
world experience in management and the issues." |
~ Adelbert
Clayman, Department Manager
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| "His
ability to listen, empathize, and really identify the root
cause of a challenge I was experiencing. He was able to provide
constructive criticism and offer encouragement from a neutral
perspective. I also appreciated the fact that he understood
the business and the culture at [my company]—that helped
when he was providing guidance and suggestions." |
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| "Your
compassion and the ability to immediately “read back”
what I was trying to communicate; I thought you had a very
good knack of identifying underlying issues. Patience is another.
A third is the ability to be nonjudgmental." |
~ Cathleen
Wheeler, Department Manager
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| "I
felt comfortable trusting you. You bring wisdom to the relationship,
and you do a good job of making me think. You listen to the
whole conversation and pull out the parts that are core. You
twist it around and help me look at it differently."
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~ L.N.,
National Account Manager for a Worldwide Services Firm
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| "Even
though I teach some of the very issues [you and I] worked
on, your coaching led me to a greater understanding of my
own negative self-talk in areas I wasn't even aware it was
going on. It's allowed me to create much more positive beliefs
about where I'm going and what I've done so far." |
~ P.M.,
Entrepreneur who has grown his service business by over
$100K
based on the lessons he learned about himself in coaching
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Coaching Happiness |
"The thing I like best
about coaching with Jim is his ability to transfer an optimism,
to create 'mental space' in the course of our sessions. I
could pretty much count on leaving a call with a very positive,
forward looking attitude regardless of my mood going in which
basically transformed my entire day!"
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"I
truly look forward to our chats. You have helped me more than
anyone ever has and I know that you really care about my mental
health and happiness." |
~ Margaret
Carlin, Executive Program Director
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"Working with The Executive
Happiness Coach, Jim Smith, I have learned the power of happiness
programs to help transform organizations and the people who
work within them. Jim’s mastery of the subject and his
expert facilitation create lasting changes in companies. Happy
people work harder, get more done, miss fewer days and report
that yes, they are happier at work! Rather than being a touchy-feely
experiment, organizational happiness can be a profit center." |
~ Rob Berkley,
MCC, Executive Coach
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"Fabulous, simply fabulous." |
~ Grace
Goodman, Attorney
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"I love you! You are
awesome because you practice and believe what you teach! You’re
someone I admire very much – it’s because of you
that I am where I am today!" |
~ John C,
HR Director for a services firm
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"I really feel I’m
in a better place than when we started this process. My head
and my emotions are more grounded, and I feel I’m on
top of the situation." |
~ A.C.,
Division HR Director for a Fortune 500 services firm
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Corporate Programs & Presentations |
"What do I consider
to be the most significant “takeaways” from the
programs & coaching you delivered?
- Relevance of the material –
Associates were able to relate to this topic and apply their
learning immediately after training
- Your delivery – Your style
was very engaging; this was the first of the core training
modules, and the attendees left with a very positive feeling
about this program, and a desire to attend more training
- Comprehension of our goals –
You were not just delivering this material; you were able
to link this to [our division’s] goals and reinforce
the message when real work examples were raised
- Your background and experience
– I think you are very intuitive and quickly size
up a situation."
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~ Mary Jo
Lahiff Casey, SVP, Corporate Operations, National City Bank
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"Jim Smith helped us
evaluate and redesign our performance appraisal process as
a part of our company’s move to a common review date.
We had a very tight timeline but Jim embraced the challenge
and was with us all the way! Not only did he help redesign
the process, but the approach he used enabled us to quickly
and efficiently collect input from our associates and management
team members. Jim is a knowledgeable, high quality HR professional
who will do whatever it takes. We look forward to working
with him again in the future!" |
~ Amy French,
Director, HR and Associate Communications, OEConnection
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"Your 'Powerful Questions...
Powerful Results' presentation energized our entire group!
Your approach and content have given my team a context for
the importance of coaching as well as a practical guide for
how to coach. Your fun and open style engaged the group and
took the concept of coaching from nebulous and slightly scary
to actionable and fun. Our nearly 100 attendees were positively
percolating with excitement about coaching. Amazing!" |
~ Trina
Evans, Executive Vice President & Director, Call Center
Services, KeyBank
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"We “Wire Ops”
and “Trust Ops” folks never really acknowledged
one another in passing, and today I notice more and more that
we greet one another and make/take more initiative to make
contact. This was one of the pet peeves brought up and has
since turned around. …I feel that this is a very good
thing that has come out of this group thus far. I have to
admit I have enjoyed the meetings even though a lot of it
is common sense, [and] we need to have it brought to our attention
more often than not." |
~ Mary Jo
Lahiff Casey, SVP, Corporate Operations, National City Bank
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"Thank you so much
for the motivational and inspiring session at the HR Conference.
I left feeling very good about life." |
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"Working with you is
a true joy—your positive outlook and spirit is contagious.
No challenge is too great—your toolkit always seems
to have the right and perfect solution to our needs—whatever
those needs are." |
~ Mar Dulik,
Vice President, Director of Employee Experience
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"I really enjoyed this
program; it was interesting and fun, which made it a joy.
Most classes you tend to watch the clock, this one you didn't
think to even look at the clock. ~~~ It was awesome. ~~~ Jim
Smith-- high-energy individual - good contents in the class.
~~~ The facilitator, Jim Smith, kept everyone on their toes
beginning with the first activity 'Change 5 Things.' This
continued throughout the day. ~~~ Jim Smith was excellent.
~~~ The session was focused and the activities appropriately
enforced the material. ~~~ It was a positive session and reinforced
that change was a good thing. It keeps us alive plus keeps
the company in a survival mode. ~~~ The session was presented
in a 'real life' of our company context, not in a 'textbook'
context. The activities were very effective, enforcing the
discussions. ~~~ I walked away with a clear understanding
of the vision of senior management. Considering this was a
full day, the day went extremely fast! The interactive exercises
gave the Operations leadership team a real opportunity to
interact, network, and team build. ~~~ There was no down time—there
was continuous activity/segments throughout the day. ~~~ I
felt the entire session was beneficial and well planned with
terrific interaction at the tables and among the entire group.
The facilitator was able to get total participation from the
audience. ~~~ I thoroughly enjoyed the day and came away with
new ideas/attitudes that I will be able to apply in my current
role." |
~ Comments
from leadership retreat participants, one week AFTER the
event
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"There is no question
in my mind that your efforts have made a substantial difference
on the progress of the organization in achieving its business
objectives." |
~ Gary Kusumi,
CEO, GMACI Insurance Group
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"I am continually learning
from you." |
~ Donna
Gressman, HR Manager, Textron/Flexalloy Division
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"It's like he works
for our company. He relates everything to our situation and
he understands our culture." |
~ Workshop
participant, Lincoln Electric
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"I've never called
you that you weren't able to help in some way. You have a
creative approach, a capacity for training in different ways,
and for always knowing the latest things. I admire that you're
able to read a situation quickly, and add so much value for
participants. You are up there with the best I've ever worked
with." |
~ Dan Toussant,
HR Practice Leader, Rea & Associates
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"You left us with lots
of great ideas that have made a positive difference for us." |
~ Debbie
Groff-Woodworth, Employee Services Manager,
United Consumer Financial Services
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"Jim Smith was one
of the best facilitators I have seen. He kept the group focused
and on track and used excellent examples … to help us
understand." |
~ Participant
feedback from a Vision/Values Retreat
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 Newsletter:
Happiness@TheSpeedofLife |
"I really enjoy reading
your articles and thank you so very much for being a mentor….
I use all your advice in my daily life to be a better and
happier person." |
~ Your loyal
reader, Latonya M. Lyles
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"Just wanted you to
know how much I enjoyed your newsletter. I have found myself
including similar bites in the programs we do here…
Often someone in a program will make reference to emotions
not belonging in the business world. I love it when this happens!
What an opportunity to help people give themselves the “permission”
to be real and feel safe with it. They get a look of thoughtful
relief and often really good discussions bubble up." |
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"I have enjoyed each
of your newsletters. However, today really touched me. …Nothing
promotes strong love more than serving one another and sometimes
that service is as simple as choosing to be kind or choosing
to forget the frustration. I wish more couples could adopt
that philosophy not just towards one anther but towards their
children also. What a happy world we could have. Thanks again
for taking the time to compose your newsletter. I appreciate
them and they have been great!" |
~ Beth Murray,
Manager Repair Support
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"A quick note of gratitude
for your e-newsletter. Honestly, it shows up at times, and
my first response is 'Oh, please, I am not in the
mood to read something like this.' Of course, these are the
times I need to read it the most." |
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"I really enjoy reading
your articles and thank you so very much for being a mentor….
I use all your advice in my daily life to be a better and
happier person." |
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"Thank you for a WONDERFUL
newsletter! Accepting gratitude has been difficult in my life
too, and I just finished coaching someone this morning who
has the same difficulty. I forwarded your newsletter to him
in hopes he accepts the different view, and recognizes that
we are all connected in this universe... things don't just
show up for no reason! … I am grateful for you being
in this world to share your experiences." |
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"I just finished reading
and forwarding your November newsletter. I want to thank you
for it. It moved me to tears and my heart is very full. You
are truly a gift Jim, I can tell through your words and the
power of your work." |
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"I enjoyed this issue
of your newsletter. I particularly liked the essay on Happiness
Principle #4: Be Early. Even though I was reserved, I guess
I did this instinctively when I was a kid (i.e., go first,
"to get it over with"). I like the positive frame
you've given this behavior! I will definitely add this advice
more consciously to my parenting repertoire." |
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"I just love getting
your newsletter. I just had surgery on my left foot and I
am giving most couch potatoes a run for the money...then your
letter comes and I feel so motivated, so happy to read positive
thoughts.... I think your greatest gift to those around you
will be your refusal to cave in to negativity. You are a blessing,
Jim." |
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"Jim: …….just
a quick laugh for you. When I first see your web address in
the subject line, I always see (Happiness@)“TheSpeedo
Life”!! The image that comes to mind is a group of older
flabby guys who have become a little too comfortable with
their bodies. It makes me smile every time, and ironically,
that’s the whole point!! Ok, just wanted to share a
giggle……Thanks!" |
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"Keep ‘em coming
Jim. Your career and passion are my sanity. Ha!" |
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For more information or to discuss Coaching as a personal strategy
for you, contact Jim Smith, click
here.
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