Family New Year’s Resolutions

This year make family New Year's resolutions. A fun way to start the new year just to talk to your family about what New Year's resolutions each person would like to make. I have found that if you make resolutions as part of the family, everyone is much more likely to succeed. Here is the process.

1. Ask each family member what they are most proud of during 2012.

2. Ask each person what they are most hopeful about achieving in 2013.

3. Ask each person what they would like to see as a family goal for 2013.

4. Write down these goals and share them with the family members, either as an email or better yet, as a nice written document.

5. If your family is not all in one place, do this exercise via email or the phone.

Coach Rob Pasick

Email: rob@leadersconnect.com

Website: www.robertpasick.com

Finding Your Unique Combination of Talents

Research has shown that discovering your unique combination of talents is a key to finding your occupational sweet spot. Here are some methods I use with my clients to help them discover their unique combination of talents.

1. Take the Strength Finders test from Gallup. (See the book Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham & Donald Clifton)

2. Send an email to friends and family asking them to share with you their perception of your key strengths.

3. Take the Best Self exercise from the Positive Organizational Scholarship website at the Ross School of Business.

4. Reflect on your personal history.

5. What type of activity have you always gravitated toward and been successful at?

6. What skill sets have you developed through education and work experience?

7. Perhaps most importantly, describe what you are not good at. Where have you consistently failed, been   frustrated, or have frustrated others?

When you have completed this process, try to summarize your findings in one brief paragraph.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Finding Your Passion In Life

I learned many lessons last week from the participants in my workshop at CEO Connect on “Finding Your Occupational Sweet Spot”. You can view this workshop by clicking on the link below. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some of the key lessons learned from this workshop. The first circle is about finding your passion. Ask yourself these questions to help you find your passion:

1. What do you seek to regularly learn more about through reading, television, conversations, etc?

2. What newspapers, magazines, or websites do you subscribe to and what section do you read first?

3. Where do you contribute your time and your money?

4. What interests do you currently have that you also had before the age of 18?

5. About what cause or topic do you feel you have “fire in the belly”?

6. If you won the lottery, what activities would you continue to do even if you didn't need to do them for the money?

7. On the days when you are excited about going to work, what is it you are looking forward to doing?

I would appreciate your feedback from the video of the workshop and if you have other ideas about “finding your passion”, please share them with me.

Link to CEO Connect: http://www.robertpasick.com/ceo-video-gallery/

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Finding Your Sweet Spot in Life

In my workshop on Friday, December 7, you will have the  opportunity to figure out your sweet spot: where you want to be in your career and maybe in your life. After all, we should not be separating our career from the rest of our lives. Here are some tips to better integrate your career and your life:

1. Recognize that if you are in a partnership, you need to plan your career, parenting, and other responsibilities collaboratively.
2. You need also to clarify your values and goals as a couple. What are your collaborative goals regarding:

                 -finance?

                 -lifestyle?

                 -relations with family and friends?

                 -recreation?

                 -health?

      3. You need to create a collaborative vision for what will make you happy and provide             meaning in the short-term and long-term.

If you would like to attend the CEO Connect event, click on the link http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4873210905. Also please feel free to bring your significant other.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

More On Finding Your Career Sweet Spot

On Friday, December 7, I am offering a workshop on finding your career sweet spot. I will help participants explore the intersection between their passion, unique talents, values, and financial needs and desires. Here are some key questions to consider in each category:

Passion:

1. What activity brings you the most joy in your life?

2. What do you love to do so much that you would do even if you weren’t being paid for it?

Unique Talent:

1. What do you do better than most everybody you know?

2. What are you succeeding at now that you have been  succeeding at since you were a teenager?

3. What are you not good at?

Values:

1. Describe an organization that would enable you to uphold your ethics and societal values while simultaneously enabling you to maintain your desired work-family balance.

Financial:

1. How much money do you need to be paid to sustain your desired lifestyle?

If you would like to attend the CEO Connect event, click on this link: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4873210905.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

How to Successfully Manage Transitions

I recently wrote an article which describes my transition from clinical psychologist to executive coach over the last 15 years entitled “Swimming with the Sharks”. It is in the November/December issue of the Psychotherapy Networker.

Here are my thoughts about the steps required to make a successful transition.

1. You have to reflect carefully upon what you want to achieve.
2. You have to visualize what success will look like and write down the vision.
3. You have to translate your vision to a set of goals.
4. You have to act upon your goals.
5. You have to accept that no matter what you will   yourself to do, you will encounter challenges, defeats, and disappointments along the way.
6. To overcome these obstacles, persistence, persistence, persistence.

Change happens no matter what. Why not try to make it the change you want rather than the change that just happens?

To read the article, click on this link http://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/magazine/currentissue/item/1836-swimming-with-the-sharks.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Ken Dallafior’s Seven Cultural Beliefs to Ensure Success

Ken Dallafior, Executive Vice President of Group Business and Corporate Marketing—Blue Cross Blue Shield, gave an insightful and inspiring presentation at CEO Connect. Here are his seven cultural beliefs he tries to instill in all of his employees: 

1. Act Now. I commit each day to act with urgency to beat the competition.

2. Reach Out. I build partnerships across the enterprise to achieve outstanding corporate results.

3. Own It. I take accountability for our results and   constantly ask "what else can I do?"

4. Let's Talk. I see, listen and share to foster an open and honest exchange.

5. Be Radical. I implement innovative solutions for stakeholders as part of my daily work.

6. Embrace Lean. I beat the competition by maximizing efficiency - being leaner, faster and better every day.

7. Be Aligned. My daily actions align with, and focus on, achieving corporate results.

The video of Ken’s presentation can be found at the link below this clipboard.

Coach Rob Pasick

Email: rob@leadersconnect.com

Website: www.robertpasick.com

Grade Yourself As A Coach

Ken Dallafior (Executive Vice President of Group Business & Corporate Marketing, BCBSM), who is our speaker at CEO Connect on November 9, believes that when it comes to leading, it’s all about coaching your people. Here is an assessment to grade yourself on how effective you are as a coach. Please score on an A to E scale.

1. I am scrupulous about coaching each of my leaders on a regular basis (not only at performance review) ____

2. I give my leaders new assignments which stretch their talents ____

3. I regularly give honest positive and negative feedback __

4. I provide them the tools they need to play the game  well ___

5. I set an example through my own behavior ____

6. I find ways to encourage them to believe in themselves ___

7. I am willing to admit I was wrong and they were right __

8. I take time to know them as people ____

9. I know I need them because without them we’d never win the game ___

10. I know that as a coach, they must play the game, not me ___

11. I have their backs at all times ____

Please click the link below, if you would like to attend the CEO Connect breakfast with Ken Dallafior.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Ken Dallafior’s Keys to Effective Leadership

November 9, Ken Dallafior will be our speaker at CEO Connect. Recently Ken has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Group Business and Corporate Marketing for Blue Cross Blue Shield. Ken will be speaking about how coaching is a key component of leadership. As a former Detroit Lion, he understands the relationship between coaching and corporate leadership. Here are his key lessons for how to apply coaching to leadership:

1. Remember: it's the players who have to carry out the action. The coach cannot play the game.

2. Give consistent, repetitive messages.

3. Coach each player as an individual, recognizing differences in terms of what motivates each person.

4. Emphasize: One team, one agenda.

5. Never forget, the key objective is to win.

Sign-up to attend the next CEO Connect and hear more about Ken's approach to leadership.

Coach Rob Pasick

Email: rob@leadersconnect.com

Website: www.robertpasick.com

Do You Understand Big Change When You See It?

At times we miss the truly momentous events that shape our lives. The Healthcare Reform Act (Obamacare) may well be one of these historical events. This week at CEO Connect, a panel of experts will be explaining what this Act means and how it will likely impact you and your business.

1.     Think how aware you have been about momentous changes that have impacted your life and your business.
2.     How prepared were you for the impact that these events had on your self and your business?
3.     How prepared are you today for the changes that will occur as Obamacare is enacted (even if Romney wins the election, parts of Healthcare Reform will still be enacted)?

  

Please click the link below, if you would like to attend the CEO Connect breakfast on Healthcare Reform.

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4521828912

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Why You Should Always Be Thinking About Your Next Job

Some of my clients are happy with what they are doing.  Some are not. In either case, they know that in today’s economy, job uncertainty is a constant companion. While they know they should be always thinking about their next job, somehow they never find the time to “get around to it.” They are too busy with their current job to plan what they want to do next. Here are some tips for planning your next job when you are so consumed with your current job.

1. Create a file, notebook or list where you post your thoughts, questions or resources about what you might do next.
2. Schedule conversations with friends or family about your next steps.
3. Have casual conversations with people who might be connections for your next job.
4. Consult a career coach.
5. Devote some days off to do networking and thinking about your next steps.
6. Do some contingency planning: if you were let go tomorrow, what would you do? How much of this can you do now?

 I will be presenting on “Finding Your Occupational Sweet Spot” at the December CEO Connect.

Coach Rob Pasick

Email: rob@leadersconnect.com

Website: www.robertpasick.com

Tough Talks

I recently gave a presentation to Ann Arbor Junior League titled “Tough Talks: Using Emotional Intelligence to Manage Emotions, Stay Calm, and Thrive Under    Pressure”. I emphasized the following points:

1. No matter what, having the tough talk rather than stewing on the conflict, is always the best practice.

2. Since there are always two sides to every story:

             -Listen well to both sides.

             -Consider having a meeting to bring together  the people with different opinions.

             -If you are stuck, consider bringing in a third  party to mediate the disagreement.

2. To get to the “truth”, ask questions rather than share your “wisdom”.

3. Know you can never totally be objective, everyone has his or her biases. Learn to know your own well.

4. Remember the border between truth and lies is permeable and constantly changing. Just when you find the truth, it’s easy to lose it.

What are your best practices for having a tough talk?

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Does Your Work Align With Your Values?

In choosing an occupation, your values should matter. Here are some questions to consider to see if your current work situation aligns with your values.

1. Does society value what you do?
2. Does your work support your personal and family health and well being?
3. Does your work consistently put you in compromising positions where you have to take actions which conflict with your values?

This is a difficult topic to understand, I’d be interested in your thoughts on the issue of values and work.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Who Has Helped You Succeed?

Last week at CEO Connect (see attached video), in addition to our discussion on executive coaching we had a fascinating conversation about mentorship. This week I encourage you to look back and ask yourself who in your life has helped you succeed? Candidates include a parent, a relative, a teacher, a coworker, a friend, etc. Odds are somewhere along the line you have been mentored by an individual who cared enough about you to take the time to help you develop. This week:

1. Contact people who have mentored you and thank them for their contribution to your   success.

2. Reach out and offer to mentor someone you care about.

3. Find a mentor for yourself.

4. If you are looking for a mentor or to be mentored, let me know and I will try to match folks up.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Could You Benefit from Executive Coaching?

I have just finished writing an article for the “Psychotherapy Networker”. It’s about executive coaching, which I will be presenting on at this week’s CEO Connect breakfast (let me know if you would like an invitation).

Here are a few indicators that you might benefit from executive coaching:

1. You are grappling with a significant career decision.

2. You are having trouble with a person at work     (co-worker, partner, etc.).

3. You want to enhance your leadership skills to be able to move to the next level.

4. You have an obstacle to success which you just  cannot overcome.

If you want to learn more about executive coaching: what it is, how to select a coach, how to assess the   impact of coaching, join me, Barbara Allushuski (President & CEO of Blue Heron Talent) and Steve Gill, Ph.D. (Executive Coach) at this week’s CEO Connect breakfast.

Please share with me your experiences working with an executive coach.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Leadership Lessons From the Maestros of Autumn

September: Baseball ends in a flurry; football kicks off in a rush; the art season commences in a    flourish. What leadership qualities do football coaches,  baseball managers and symphony        conductors have in common?

1. All have to take a group of individual prodigies and blend them into a cohesive team, which wins and loses as a whole.

2. All have to calculate the odds and take risks: no risks, no glory.

3. All have to operate within the glare of the spot-light.

4. All will be second guessed by Monday morning quarterback/critics who know more than they do.

5. All win some, lose some, and “hopefully” wake up Monday morning to start all over again.

What lessons have you learned from the maestros of pigskin, hardball and melody?

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

What Important Task Have You Been Putting Off?

We all do it. While we think we are busy doing “Must do activities,” we are putting off dealing with something really important. Often, it’s not a work related task. It may have to do with health, key relationships or finances. This week identify an important task you may be putting off. Here are a few tips on how to get to what you have been avoiding:

1. First determine what it is. Maybe you’ve forgotten, so you may need to ask your friends, family or coworker to remind you.
2. Write down what it is you have to do and tape it to your mirror.
3. If it’s complicated, do the first step. For example if you have to call an old friend who’s been ill, look up his or her phone number and write that down.
4. Assign yourself a deadline and share your commitment with someone else.
5. If you’re still avoiding doing the task, put off doing something you like, such as watching your favorite tv show, until you have done the task you have been avoiding.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Give Back

“We are such spendthrifts with our lives,” Paul Newman once told a reporter. “The trick of living is to slip on and off the planet with the least fuss you can muster. I’m not running for sainthood. I just happen to think that in life we need to be a little like the farmer who puts back into the soil what he takes out.” I’ve seen many examples of folks giving back to their community. Have you done enough yourself, to “put back what you have taken out”? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. What am I doing today to give back?

2. As you become more successful, what is your dream about how to give back to society?

3. How will you plant the seeds today to replenish what you have been given in life?

4. How will you teach your children the importance of giving back?

5. What example are you setting for your children and coworkers about the importance of giving back?

I’m interested in hearing your stories of ways you have been inspired by people “giving back”. 

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

You can find more tips in Balanced Leadership.

Write Someone Up This Week...And Make Their Day!

Employees fear being “written up”, but what if you wrote someone a positive “write-up”? Wouldn't it make them feel great? Here are a few of my ideas...and I’d love to hear your ideas as well.

1. Write someone a recommendation on Linked In.

2. Write something positive to put in their file.

3. Write a hand written note of appreciation.

4. Buy them tickets or a gift certificate to  convey your appreciation.

5. Extend this idea from an employee to a friend or family member.

Please share your ideas about positive ways to “write someone up”. Let’s start a movement to promote positive “write-ups”.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

How To Resolve A Dispute

Here are some guidelines from Kenneth Feinberg, one of the world’s foremost dispute mediators, on how to resolve a dispute:

1. Know the facts

2. Be dogged about trying to reach an equitable solution

3. Keep an open mind

4. Be creative in getting to “Yes”

5. A very important, basic proposition: Put yourself in the other person’s shoes

Additionally from Dr. Rob’s personal experience with dispute resolution:

1. Check your emotions at the door

2. If you feel that your emotions are trumping your clear thinking, take a time out. After composing yourself, write down what you want to achieve and what the other person wants to achieve.

3. Also, write down your emotional impediments to being able to get to “Yes”

Please share your best practices on how to resolve a dispute.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Criticism: You Don’t Like It, But You Can Learn To Handle It

A few tips to handle criticism:

1. Hear it clearly: be sure you understand what the criticism is

2. Hold back Mr. Defensive who runs in to counter the criticism

3. Also hold back Mr. Counter Attack: criticism is not necessarily an attack on you

4. Apologize without using the “yes…but”     response

5. Commit to correct the behavior

6. Knowing how tough it is to handle criticism, consider avoiding criticizing others

I’m interested in hearing what advice you have to handle criticism.

Coach Rob Pasick

Email: rob@leadersconnect.com

Website: www.robertpasick.com

Dr. Rob Interactive

For the past several months, I’ve been sending out my Monday Tips. These tips have been my ideas but I realize there’s far more wisdom from others who read these posts. This year I plan to highlight contributions from my readers. I would be interested in items like: your five rules for living, best tips on managing a particular       challenge, etc. I look forward to seeing your suggestions for Monday Tips.

Here is an example from David Ross, Founder and CEO of Micro Video in Ann Arbor. Dave has been a successful investor for most of his life. Here are his three rules on investment risk:

1. Don't take big risks for small potential gains.

2. Don't risk more than you can lose.

3. Understand the probabilities.

With the economic pressures so intense today, I would appreciate receiving other ideas on how to manage money. I will include them in a future post.

Coach Rob

rob@leadersconnect.com

www.robertpasick.com

Old Dog, Lucy’s, Tips for Surviving A Hot Summer Day

Dr. Rob's old dog, Lucy's, tips for surviving on a hot summer day:

1. Get up when you feel like it.

2. Stretch first thing.

3. Get someone to take you for a long slow walk.

4. Eat a low-carb breakfast.

5. Go for a swim and be sure to chase the ducks.

6. Take a nap in the shade.

7. Nuzzle near somebody you love.

8. Go for another swim but leave the ducks alone.

9. Keep drinking lots of liquids (alcohol only for non- dogs).

10. Watch the Northern Lights…and sleep well.

For more tips see  http://www.readthespirit.com/book-for-dog-lovers/ or like Conversations With My Old Dog on Facebook.

Coach Rob Pasick

Email: rob@leadersconnect.com

Website: www.robertpasick.com