Tips and links for coaching, resources, and employees via Twitter.
The Octagon COACHING Model on LinkedIn
NEGRON Consulting and The Octagon COACHING Model has its own page on LinkedIn.com. Click below and follow The Octagon COACHING Model group page to contribute, connect with other members or learn more about this self-guided coaching tool.
A forum for interaction about, but not limited to, Coaching, Leadership Development, Employee Resource Groups, Emotional Intelligence and Diversity. Frequent postings, related articles and information, and regularly updated content will keep you informed and serve as a resource on coaching, career development, and personal growth.
It’s a New Year and a great time to refocus on what we will
achieve in the year to come. Start by
evaluating what you will no longer do. A recent BusinessWeek article provided some clear and easy to follow ways to stop wasting time and energy on the "non-essential".
The difference between successful people and very successful
people is that very successful people say "no" to almost everything.—Warren
Buffet
I'm often reminded of the saying that we are not "human doings"… we are human beings. How are you refocusing for the year ahead? Are you eliminating the "non-essentials"?
Comments, ideas, or opinions on this topic? Join the conversation, HERE.
The Shape of Things to Come
The Octagon Coach
"Honoring Who You Are."
Over the past several months, we have reviewed the four initial
dimensions or stages of coaching. Now we
will explore the fifth:
Communication
Observation
Awareness
Choices
Honor
Honoring or acknowledging one’s own history, culture,
accomplishments and efforts is important.
It is critical that your coach honors and understands who you are, while
working with you on your newest goals.
Recently, I wrote about choosing a coach. You also make choices when considering a new
department or assignment, additional education, relocation, or a new
company. During this 5th stage, review
your choices, and the actions taken.
Once you understand your choices or actions, you can begin to honor who
you are.
There are several organizations, such as NSHMBA (National Society of Hispanic MBAs), that can provide a variety of opportunities to honor who we are. In NSHMBA's case, they are "a premier Hispanic MBA professional network for economic and philanthropic
advancement", and "fostering Hispanic leadership through graduate management
education and professional development in order to improve society" and "prepare Hispanics …so they can provide the cultural awareness and sensitivity
vital in the management of the nation’s diverse workforce."
Another opportunity to share and honor in who we are, is looking into joining or starting an Employee Resource Group (ERG) at your firm.
There is a growing awareness that no one should "check their
culture at the door" at their jobs. It
is our differences that strengthen… a simple fabric, a metal object, an
organization’s structural integrity – all become stronger when the weave, composition,
and values are multidimensional.
"He who loses wealth, loses much... he who loses a friend, loses more... but he who loses his courage loses all." Miguel de Cervantes
COMMENT:
Comments, ideas, or opinions on this topic? Join the conversation, HERE
The American Management
Center recently posted an article with the results from a new study commissioned by organizational consulting firm Green Peak Partners, and conducted by Cornell
University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
A high self-awareness score was the strongest predictor of overall success. "Executives who are aware of their weaknesses are often better able to hire subordinates who perform well in areas in which the leader lacks acumen," said Dr. Winkler.
J.P. Flaum, Managing Partner at Green Peak Partners, stated that
investors and search executives may need to adjust their criteria for
screening potential leaders: “Our findings directly challenge the
conventional view that ‘drive for results at all costs’ is the right
approach. The executives most likely to deliver good bottom line results
are actually self-aware leaders who are especially good at working with
individuals and in teams.”
Does this make sense to you, your workplace, or career? How are you refocusing? Would you like to see this become more
publicized?
Comments, ideas, or opinions on this topic? Join the conversation, HERE.
The Octagon COACHING Model LinkedIn Group Anniversary
TOCM Discussion Group on LinkedIn: 1 Year Anniversary.
One year since it’s launch, with almost 250 Members, and over 200 discussions, The Octagon COACHING Model has been a great forum for posting thought-provoking articles, discussion topics, and for sharing experiences and information on coaching, leadership development, emotional intelligence, resiliency, diversity & inclusion, nonprofit management, career transitions, etc.
I want to extend a big thank you to those who post regularly. I also invite any of you who are not currently members to join; and those who to are please post a comment, article, link, etc. to continue adding value to the group. Let the intellectual generosity and success stories continue!
"Among highly educated women who take time off from their careers to raise their children, women with M.B.A.’s suffer the largest percentage 'mommy penalty,' while those with medical degrees suffer the lowest proportionate loss, with female Ph.D.’s and lawyers falling somewhere in between."
Recently published in the New York Times, Stanford Professor Robert I.
Sutton, PhD. (Organizational Behavior Department) and author of "Good
Boss, Bad Boss", wrote about "How Bad Apples Infect the Tree."
"Effective coaching can lead to smoothly functioning organizations, better productivity and potentially more profit. In classrooms, better student performance can occur. Doctors or nurses can connect more with patients. So, doing coaching right would seem to be a natural goal, and it has been a major topic of research at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management since 1990."
A very interesting article published by PsychologyToday.com provided some great discussion on some of the extrovert and introvert traits we all share. Also facilitating in a matter of self-awareness and those who may differ from our own “personality” factors.
"In many cases, the 'prime cause of low morale at work,' as Samuel Culbert of the UCLA Anderson School of Management put it, is a waste of time. But the concept of a year-end review, if tweaked slightly, can actually be an incredible time saving tool. At least that’s what I’ve discovered from interviews with high-performing men and women. These people seem to manufacture accomplishments. A key reason is that they know, in any given year, what they intend to do."
Talent management and “creating an environment where that talent can grow and thrive in” is a priority for most companies. It crosses all industries, strengthens the leadership pool, and is a means to support growth, and measure progress. But where are some of the gender and diversity initiatives leading to so far in this new drive?
"According to the directory of African-American Architects, there are less than 2,000 licensed architects in the United States. That number, however, doesn’t diminish the contributions of these professionals on local and national scales. Their work has been underwritten by the accomplishments of pioneering African American architects who came before them."
"Your ability to connect with others is the critical difference between average and great results. Your style – your executive presence – affects your ability to have the impact you want in any situation, from one-to-one interactions and group meetings to stand up presentations."
2011 - Thanks and Best Wishes
Happy New Year!
I would like to take this moment to express what an honor it has been working with many of you over the past 10+ years, and getting to know you and your organizations. Together we have experienced some great opportunities, and while addressing the challenges, have even had the chance to have some fun along the way.
I want to wish you all a healthy, happy, and successful 2011 and beyond.
Tapping the Hidden Strengths of Minority Executives
Originally published in November of 2005, the Harvard Business Review article, "Leadership in Our Midst: Tapping the Hidden Strengths of Minority Executives", still holds relevance in today's work landscape.
"Minority professionals often hold leadership roles outside work, serving as pillars of their communities and churches and doing more than their share of mentoring. It's time their employers took notice of these invisible lives and saw them as sources of strength."
Read the full article and more on the research and views of Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Carolyn Buck Luce, and Dr. Cornel West on this insightful and necessary topic, HERE.
What is your company doing to build their diversity and create opportunities for minority professionals in leadership roles? Are companies leveraging their employees' outside leadership experience as leadership development?
Comments, ideas, or opinions on this topic? Join the conversation, HERE.
Growing Global Recognition: Value of Emotional Intelligence
Recently published in Leadership Quarterly, the Times of India illustrates the growing global recognition for the value of Emotional Intelligence in the following article: "Leaders understand emotions better"
"The study adds to evidence that emotional intelligence is a separate trait from other leadership qualities such as having cognitive intelligence and being cooperative, open to ideas, and conscientious."
Comments, ideas, or opinions on this topic? Join the conversation, HERE.
Centered Leadership
McKinsley Quarterly recently published a survey based on six years of developing a map of capabilities they called "Centered Leadership."
"The five key capabilities that make up centered leadership - used together - are important predictors of executives' satisfaction with their leadership performance and their life overall."
Read more on, "The Value of Centered Leadership", HERE.
Learn More About Our Related Services & Assessment Tools:
Learn how we can partner with your organization to identify, develop, and retain your talent. We will work with you to create programs that maximize and retain your talent through engagement and Leadership Development initiatives.
"If good leadership is the key to good innovation, why do so many employees comment that their bosses are the problem?"
Comments, ideas, or opinions on this topic? Join the conversation, HERE.
The Shape of Things to Come
The Octagon Coach
"Getting a Coach, Making Choices"
Last month we asked: Are you ready
for a coach? If you answered yes
to most questions - have a specific goal, are ready to listen, commit, and make
an investment in yourself - then you are ready.
Some thoughts on choosing a coach:
Reach out to your network and other groups. Is anyone working with a coach or know
someone who is.
What are your preferences: industry, functional or
international experience; male or female; cultural background.
Identify type of coaching - career planning,
communication or presentation skills, specific leadership competencies, building teams, understanding emotional
competencies or resiliency.
Explore Coaching and Executive Coaching
websites. I invite you also to
visit Our Team - we have several coaches to choose from.
Interview a number of candidates to feel comfortable
that there is "a fit" - good chemistry; a sense of trust and respect.
Fees - shop around; think about what you can afford.
Ask for a complimentary 30 minute session. Commit to 3 - 6 months minimum.
If you must go internal, talk to your supervisor,
work peers, HR department. Internal coaching can work, however, "confidentiality and self-esteem must be preserved. Trust increases when you choose your own coach." (Strategic Finance).
Recognize you are making a Choice when getting a coach, and investing time in your career and
personal development. Honor your instincts when making your
choice.
"The soul
that begins with determination has already traveled a great part of the way" St.
Theresa de Avila
NEXT MONTH:
Honoring Who You Are
RELATED ARTICLES:
Article 1.Thinking of Getting a Coach? What, Why, Who When, How?
Learn more about Free Executive Coaching and other Career and Leadership Development services offered at the recent 2010 NSHMBA National Conference in Chicago October 21-23, 2010, HERE.
10th Anniversary Contest Giveaway
We would like to thank all of the individuals who submitted entries to the 10th Anniversary Contest. Unfortunately, no winner will be announced for our premiere newsletter's contest, as the necessary amount of valid answers was not reached.
Based on the interest garnered by the contest, we are opening up another opportunity for the (1) One Free Coaching Session.
NEGRON Consulting is approaching the following milestones:
Our 1000th LinkedIn Connection
Our 250th The Octagon COACHING Model Group Member
Upon reaching either of
the milestones first, we will announce the winner of the Contest via our Blog and to the contest winner directly.
Connect with Us:
Join Our Group:
NSHMBA Chapter of the Year - Connecticut
Learn more about the Connecticut NSHMBA Chapter, HERE.
NEGRON Consulting marks its 10th anniversary as a unique management consultancy, linking diversity and inclusion initiatives with our clients' distinct needs to encourage business growth and employee leadership development. Incorporated in 2000, NEGRON Consulting provides services to the Commercial, Government and NonProfit sectors. Our six member team, led by Managing Director Michael J. Negrón, has grown over the years to serve a wide-range of industries in support of Organizational Development, and Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives, both Domestically and Internationally.
After 10 years, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our many clients, colleagues, and friends who have been an integral part of our success and mission to “leverage our differences, encourage a level of creative energy and respect, and partner with our clients to ask the difficult questions, to dig deeper and increase trust.” These relationships have been invaluable to our development and growth.
In celebration of this milestone, NEGRON Consulting is implementing significant advances to both commemorate and embark on our second decade of enhancing client opportunities. A re-launch and re-design of both the NEGRON Consulting logo and website, and The Octagon COACHING Model logo were completed with the assistance of a Graphic Designer and the newly hired Director for Brand Development, Marketing/Communications, and Web and Social Content. We also commissioned a local artist to create a sculpture that captures the essence of our work and values at NEGRON Consulting.
NEGRON Consulting invites you to explore our new website, newsletter and social media content, as we celebrate our 10 years of working together. Again, thank you for your on-going collaboration and inspiration. We look forward to furthering our partnerships and alliances!
National Society of Hispanic MBAs: Professional Webinar Series
As part of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) Professional Webinar Series for 2010, presenters Michael J. Negron and Stephanie McCray expanded upon last year's inaugural Coaching Webinar's introduction to the field of Executive Coaching.
This year's coaching webinar session focused on the growing necessity for professionals and managers to utilize Coaching. Various types of coaching were described along with dispelling popular myths about Executive Coaching, and sharing how it works, why it works and how professionals at all levels are benefitting from retaining a coach.
Comments, ideas, or opinions on this topic? Join the conversation, HERE.
Webinar Sessions:
2010 NSHMBA Webinar: The Power of Executive Coaching, click Here.
2009 NSHMBA Webinar: The Executive Coaching Advantage (an introduction
After reading about Coaching, Emotional Intelligence, and other coaching articles in the business and general press, you may feel you are ready for a coach. Answering some of the following questions, may help you get an idea if you are ready to be coached:
1. Do I have a particular goal or issue to focus on?
2. Am I willing to work with the coach to collaborate on identifying the necessary steps to
reach my goals?
3. Am I receptive to listening to what the coach has to say; being accountable?
4. Am I committed to starting, stopping or changing behaviors?
5. Can I make a minimum 3-month commitment to allow time to build the relationship
and measure progress?
6. Do I understand that coaching is not therapy?
7. Am I ready to make an investment in myself and pay a coaching fee?
Self-awareness is the key element in coaching, emotional intelligence, and resilience factor models. Answering these questions will help you know if you are ready to get a coach and work with one.
NEXT MONTH:
Getting a Coach, Making Choices
RELATED ARTICLES:
Article 1.Thinking of Getting a Coach? What, Why, Who When, How?
The upcoming NSHMBA 2010 National Conference & Career Expo being held in Chicago, IL, October 21 - 23, 2010, will be offering free Executive Coaching sessions to NSHMBA Executive Members. To qualify, each participant must be an Executive Member, register for the Executive Forum, and complete a coaching pre-session questionnaire.
You will have pre-scheduled appointments with an Executive Coach, and receive two (2) free 50 minute sessions, with the first on site at the Conference on October 21st. The second coaching session will be by phone with the same coach. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago.
NEGRON Consulting Managing Director, Michael J. Negrón, would like to express his appreciation for the recent nominations in the 2010 Brillante Award categories of Member Service Excellence and Entrepreneurial Excellence. It is an honor to be considered for such a significant distinction, and the efforts of the nominating committee members is deeply appreciated.
After months of research, planning and development, NEGRON Consulting is pleased to announce the re-launch of its website, www.negronconsulting.com. The new website delivers timely, well-organized information to a diverse Commercial, Government and NonProfit audience. It is easier to navigate and allows greater interaction with the public. On the site, users can find current and informative content on the work of NEGRON Consulting.
The website includes a number of new features including expanded services, assessment tools, FAQs, newsletters, past event photos, social media, and subscription content. Users can now subscribe to the NEGRON Consulting monthly newsletter for regularly updated informative content and events.
In the next weeks and months, NEGRON Consulting will continue to improve its website. We invite you to come back often to check out the latest developments.
We hope you enjoy our new website and find it useful and informative. Your suggestions and ideas are welcome - please contact us at info@negronconsulting.com
NEGRON Consulting commissioned a local Connecticut artist, Rob Bunting, sculptor and engraver, to create a sculpture reflective of our company's values, our work in diversity and inclusion, emotional intelligence and coaching, executive & organizational transitions, and the continual nature of change and movement.
Members of NEGRON Consulting communicated some of our history, the work we do in diversity and inclusion, and in coaching to Rob Bunting. Leaving the interpretation completely up to the artist, we were extremely happy with the resulting piece of art. It has captured the essence of both our history, and our passion for on-going movement and evolution of our work and the world we live in.
To celebrate our 10th Anniversary, NEGRON Consulting has officially changed its primary logo and color scheme to highlight our team's and clients' focus on diversity and inclusion, and our collective passion for strength, flexibility and growth. This represents a change in our logo for the first time since our founding in 2000, to a full graphic and name logo.
Taking some of its inspiration from the sculpture created for the 10th Anniversary of NEGRON Consulting, The Octagon COACHING Model's new Logo was a collaboration of ideas from Justin Negrón, Director of Brand Development, and Graphic Designer, Miyuki Iwasa. "Reflecting upon our ever-changing environments, we wanted to better represent the transformative shifts and fluidity of becoming more self-aware," said Michael J. Negrón. "Our shared goals as consultants and coaches are to grow both professionally and personally, both of which are key elements of The Octagon COACHING Model and our company as a whole."
This is also the first major logo change since the The Octagon COACHING Model's inception in 2003. In keeping with the core 8 dimensions, it is now updated to incorporate both the shape and color schemes of the commemorative sculpture, and the upcoming book design changes for the TOCM Self-Guided Coaching Workbook and Card Deck.
10th Anniversary Contest Giveaway
In commemoration of our 10th Anniversary, NEGRON Consulting will give one (1) free Coaching session to the 10th individual who correctly answers the questions below.
Fill in the blanks and complete the resulting word. The contest is open for one week, September 20 - 26, 2010. Include your full name, E-mail address and your responses via E-mail, HERE.
Michael J. Negrón joined Dr. Anita Rowe, Dr. Lee Gardenswarz, and Dr. Jorge Cherobosque, for a week long EI and Diversity conference at the UCLA Conference Center, January 2009. The training provided Michael and NEGRON Consulting with the Tools to develop and present EI and Diversity worshops.
If interested in having a 1/2 day, full day or multi-day EI and Diversity workshop or presentation, or learning more, please contact us at: info@negronconsulting.com
Summer:
Michael J. Negrón, NEGRON Consulting Managing Director,wrote Book Review; Published in The Business Journal of Hispanic Research (NSHMBA), June 2009. For a copy of the Book Review for "Emotional Intelligence for Managing Results in a Diverse Word: The Hard Truth about Soft Skills in the Workplace" (Dr. Lee Gardenswartz, Dr. Jorge Cherbosque, Dr. Anita Rowe) please click, Emotional Intelligence & Diversity (PDF)
Fall:
Michael J. Negrón presented a NSHMBA Webinar with Stephanie McCray and Donna Maria Biancero, titled "The Executive Coaching Advantage", September 2009. This served as an Introduction to Executive Coaching as part of the NSHMBA Professional Webinar Series.
Michael J. Negrón conducted a Officer Leadership Workshop on Emotional Intelligence & Diversity at NSHMBA National Conference (Minneapolis, MN), October 2009.
Lynn Alvarez Doupsas, Speaker at School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University (NY, NY); New York Career Series designed to provide a forum for students to discuss career trends with professionals based in New York City in their field interests, October 2009.
2008
Summer:
Michael J. Negrón, Managing Director of NEGRON Consulting, designed and moderated a Best Practices Panel Discussion at the Employee Resource Group Summit hosted by NSHMBA at the Aetna Headquarters in Hartford, CT, June, 2008.
