The Name Game - Players Needed

After 3 days of transition time with Jackie, I realized in my excitement of trying to fill my mind with so much content, I had not covered a basic question - how will I introduce myself? what title will I put on my business card?

Because Jackie and I had been immersed in the global coaching space during our time together I noticed Jackie's Asia Pac "counterpart" (no one is really her counterpart globally - she is in a league of her own) calls herself the Asia-Pac Coaching Leader. This title has a nice ring to it, yes?? Asia-Pac has taken so many pages (perhaps all pages) out of Jackie's coaching playbook, this was one play it made sense for us to steal.

Jackie Bayer, America's Coaching Leader.

This title speaks to the legacy Jackie is building and the thought leadership she provides everyday. This title is Jackie's brand, no doubt. When I inherit this title, I will always be reminded of the big shoes I am filling (in Jackie's case, white go-go boots - who knew she was a lead dancer in a band??)

So this begs the question: If Jackie is the America's Coaching Leader, can we be the America's Coaching Team (ACT) ? It's a leading question on my part, I know. I like that it is simple and crisp and I like that I can easily recall the acronym. I like that it names us as a team (I know there has been great conversation around us as a "group" or a "team").

OK - I admit it. I just broke the rules of every leadership transition book I have ever read- I am advised to sit back and watch - don't make any big moves too soon - I just can't help myself. Having said this, please know that I genuinely appreciate that you have already played the name game and perhaps are very attached to the Professional Coaching Group, "PCG" name. So if nothing else, this is a good test for our brand, our identity and a great education for me.

Here is my ask. Share (POST) your uncensored reaction. I believe this dialogue will help us all articulate what's in a name and appreciate the strength of our brand - no matter where we land. Thank you for playing.

Inspiration

This morning I was in need of a little inspiration. My alarm went off at 6am after a sleepless night spent with a teething cranky toddler and a puking dog. So I lay there and I thought about a couple of things I read/saw yesterday that were very moving.

One was a letter to all Canadians from one of our political leaders who just passed away after a shockingly short battle with cancer:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/08/22/pol-layton-last-letter.html

The other was a video clip that was sent to me from my Korean adoptive moms group:
http://www.flixxy.com/korea-talent-choi-sung-bong.htm

I thought about how a feeling of purpose makes anything possible and allows people to persevere through hardship. It reminded me of one of my favourite quotes:
"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy." — George Bernard Shaw

So Jack, Choi and George hauled my butt out of bed, less tired and more joyful.

Which brush?

From Jim:

We are all artists...are we choosing our brushes intentionally?

Last week as I was preparing for an initial conversation for a new client. I had interviewed a number of people to get perspective prior to the meeting. I thought I had a name for our issue and of course since I hadn't spoke with my client I was wrong. Based on the feedback from those I interviewed I thought some of the concepts from Gallwey's "The Inner Game of Work" might make sense, so I dove back into the book. He certainly emphasizes the power of questions. As I was reading the book I was reminded of the Mineral Rights model from Fierce Conversations. As a result, I went into the conversation with an open mind and desire to use the Mineral Rights framework. As I walked through the model I was reminded how powerful some of the questions I learned from Fierce are, such as, "What if nothing changes and we are sitting here in six months talking about this issue, how does that make you feel?", "Where are your fingerprints on this issue?", "What does ideal look like?", and "How can you best close this gap?".

My learning from this experience was this...I have learned how to paint with many brushes over the years, I need to remember that I have many brushes in the jar and not forget to look at all of them and choose intentionally as I begin to paint.

This is real

I'm meeting this week in Seattle with Janice to choreograph the transition. Jim suggested she begin to join me on our bi-monthly check-ins. Other ideas?

I dreamed I was piloting a big boat last nite and the windshield was covered with closed blinds. Someone to my right was giving me directions and I slammed into the pier because I couldn't judge the distance. I promise I will open the blinds before I hand Janice the wheel!

follow up to musings

Seeing your comments to my airport musings made me a little embarrassed for "letting it all hang out", as we used to say in the 60's. I'm sure there are some of you who are more private who were shocked by my candor. But two things: 1) the purpose of this blog was to be open about our thoughts and feelings regarding this transition and 2) as you coach our retiring partners be aware that they may be having similar, powerful fears that they aren't articulating.

I was in the airport coming back from a meeting of the Executive Coaching Council for the Conference Board--a group of 22 multi-national companies that are on the leading edge of coaching practices. We are on the front edge of that edge! Altho I didn't create it alone, there is a lot to be proud of at EY. I contrast that to my post-retirement nightmares of doing Sudoku puzzles in my sweats while checking Facebook postings hoping for a virtual conversation.

It really helped to name my fear. I was afraid that when I left this amazing group of creative, caring and passionate people, I'd surrender those personal qualities with my laptop. Thanks for your thoughtful remarks. (I agree with Vera that Jim is one hell of a writer!) Having named the fear, it lost its grip. I won't stop being who I am. I'll just apply those things to a different "canvas". Might even be fun to see what's next!

Thank you. And don't believe for a minute that I'm done with the fear. :)