Why Everyone Needs Realistic Positive Coaching

I’m no fan of rah rah cheer leading. That’s both on sports sidelines and at work, but there is also no need for unnecessary criticism and negativity.

My eldest daughter has recently joined the high school volleyball team and it has been fascinating watching the coaches of different teams and how their coaching style varies. Now I know living in LA for nine years I should be used to extravagant actors around me, but some of the scenes from the volleyball court in the last few weeks could have come from a comedy TV show! From screaming at the referee, complaining about missed points, to making kids actually cry, some of the school coaches have been quite cringeworthy to watch! One recent match, the loosing team coach screamed at the players whenever they were loosing, each time they missed a point the team immediately looked at their coach in anticipation of the reaction he would have and lost concentration of the actual game.

Another coach, in contrast, whether the team was winning or loosing, kept his volume, tone and temperament the same. During the timeouts, players huddled close to hear his advice, and listened intently whether he was praising them, correcting them, or encouraging them. His temperament was contagious. The team paid attention to the plays drawn out on his whiteboard and encouraged each other when missing a serve or winning a point.

I see similar contrasts with leaders as they coach their teams, it’s valuable to observe. It’s not enough to just remain calm or cheer when your team achieves success. Instead, consistency is needed where you remain constant with your advice when the emotional rollercoaster takes over during both wins and losses. Unlike on the volleyball court, coaching inside companies isn’t always so visible, which is why you need to explore how well your teams are being coached.

It’s why just like school teams benefit from a coach who is an expert in the chosen sport, companies too benefit from hiring coaches with specific expertise.

How can you understand how well your managers are coaching their teams?

Dedicated to growing your business,

Val

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Why Wishing Works

What are you wishing for right now?

Do you know what your team is wishing for?

I was walking yesterday through one of my favorite places in Pasadena, Arlington Gardens. I stopped to read some of the minuscule pieces of paper tied to a tree. Each note contained heartfelt hand written wishes from kids to grandparents. 

“I hope I can stay close to my friends”

“I wish that I can find a new job that I love”

“I hope my parents are happy”

…are some of the wishes I read and I wondered how many others wishes are just in their head and never shared?

What if you asked your team to share their wishes with you in your next 1-1 meeting?

Wishful thinking really does work. But you have to give yourself time and space to think about what you really wish for…and then dedicate energy to making it come true. 

My greatest wishful thinking happened when I wished I could start my own business and write a book by the time I was 40. I shared that wish with two close friends while I was still in my corporate career at Microsoft and then asked for their help encouraging me to make it happen. 

As I’m approaching my tenth anniversary in January, my third book Words That Work just won the NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite award in the business category. —so wishful thinking really does work!

Write down your wishes

…Ask for help achieving them

Get curious about others wishes

…Offer support for helping make them happen

Special thanks to Yoko Ono inspired many wishing trees around the world with her art installation in 1996. 

What are you going to wish for next?

Dedicated to growing your business,

Val

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this week's VAL-uable Insights, sign up here to get them in your inbox each Monday morning: http://valwrightconsulting.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Why Your First And Latest Concerts Are Important To Share

17,500 of us packed The Forum in Los Angeles on Friday night to watch Gorillaz and it certainly felt incredible to be back watching live music again. 

If concert ticket prices in LA are anything to go by, I’m not the only one back at live concerts! My three daughters are now old enough to appreciate live music and so I can’t wait to take them to see Lizzo, Katy Perry, and Harry Styles in the next few months. Meanwhile Mary J Blige and Deadmau5 are all future concerts I’ll be going to with my friends. 

It’s a long time since I went to my first concert, Wet Wet Wet, in England back in the 80’s with my dear friend Victoria Briscoe, yet I still can feel the excitement of standing waiting for them to appear on stage when I hear the first few bars of their hit song “Angel Eyes”

Music connects us, transports us, and allows us to escape. 

Music simultaneously creates and brings back memories. 

Music, if you choose, allows you to sing at the top of your lungs regardless how well you can sing (yes, I’m talking about myself here…)

Music creates an uncontrollable urge to dance (or is that just me?!…)

Music when used at work can have a phenomenal impact on how you connect, tell stories, and bring energy to otherwise flat discussions and meetings. 

It’s time to make the most of the power of music. 

Ready to read more about music?

Remember that Half Time Show?

Want to hear lessons from a jazz club?

How does a musician play with strangers?

Yes, I once went line dancing!

That time when lyrics from a song is all I could share. 

Why not start your Monday talking music?

Dedicated to growing your business,

Val

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this week's VAL-uable Insights, sign up here to get them in your inbox each Monday morning: http://valwrightconsulting.com/newsletter-sign-up/