Coaching

Susan M Barber Coaching & Consulting, LLC > Blog > Coaching

Are you setting a good example for your team?

“The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.” -John Wooden This quote was a good reminder to me that leaders have to set the tone no matter what is going on in the organization.    Change is a constant and leaders are getting new information to process all the time.  They need to discern if it is something to act on, share with their team, communicate to the rest of the organization or keep it to themselves.  …
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What makes a leader, a leader?

Have you ever considered the question, what makes a leader a leader?   By definition, a leader is “a person who leads a group.”    So that would say that when you have a group of people reporting to you, then you are a leader in the most formal sense of the word.   How would you describe yourself?  Are you a leader? I worked in an organization that felt a bit differently than that regarding the term leader.   Everyone was considered a…
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I need help! I am so overwhelmed right now!

  Imagine that this is what is on your calendar this week…3 presentations, 15 meetings with various groups, 6 meetings with your direct team and your kids have two sporting events that you need to attend after work.   Some of you may be thinking how on earth can that be real?  I can tell you that it is absolutely real and the way that many people will be spending their week.  It seems crazy, but this is actually probably conservative…
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Do you bring passion to your job every day?

I volunteered at our local food bank this past weekend.  A friend of mine and I coordinate the event for kids at our school and church to get service hours.  It always puts things into perspective when I hear about how many people don’t know where their next meal is coming from in our county.  What I like about the program is that it teaches kids and adults how the food bank works, where they get their food, how volunteers…
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How powerful is a story for a leader?

  Today is November 11th, which is a day known by different names ( Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, Poppy Day, Armistice Day, etc.) depending on where you are from as a day to remember all those in the armed forces who fought for our freedom. Thank you all for your service. Picture yourself getting together with a bunch of friends or family.  At some point, you will probably hear a story or two about a recent event that happened to…
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3 ways to focus on the things that should be first

Generally when people talk about “firsts” they refer to babies and toddlers.  She got her first tooth today, she rolled over or she took her first steps.  The truth is that you go through a million firsts in your lifetime though.  First day of school, first time you go on a date, first time you drive, first job, etc.   Each time you go through the next big “first” it brings a little anxiety, a bit of fear, but it also…
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Can changing your job make you happy?

 How many of you have thought about changing jobs or looking for a whole new career?  I think that we all consider it when we are having a bad day, but how many people actually do it?   I will share with you a bit about my story.  I worked at the same company for 20+ years and had created a good reputation for getting things done, bringing teams together and as a leader who was a good people developer.  I…
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5 Ways to Put Better Balance in Your Life

“You cannot be really first-rate at your work if your work is all you are.” – Anna Quindlen I saw this quote and it made me think about how much balance we have in our lives.  In my past, I had been known to have some (okay more than some ) workaholic tendencies at times.   This caused challenges when I had issues at work to deal with and my child was playing in a volleyball tournament.   I know you are…
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The Chicago Cubs Face Adversity to Win the 2016 World Series!

It is the final game of the World Series tonight.  The Chicago Cubs led for most of game 7 and then the Cleveland Indians tie it up 6-6 in the 8th inning, which forced them to go into extra innings.   This could have caused the Cubs to wonder if they had it in them to come back from this adversity.  Their usual closing pitcher is worn out due to all the pitches he has thrown over the last three days.  Then…
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The Chicago Cubs: A Great Example of Making the Impossible Possible

I am a big sports fan and wanted to share that two sports teams in Chicago had two big days this week.   My Chicago Bears won on Monday Night Football.  They have not had the best record this year, but I am happy that they did well and it helped me win in fantasy football this week.   Tonight’s big event was seeing the Chicago Cubs Baseball team tie up the World Series!   I am so excited for them and hopefully…
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