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Meanderings from Jean's Desk....
Blog Archive
Feb 1, 2012: Transforming Our Thinking
Jan 2, 2012: Looking At Life From The Third Person This Year
Dec 15, 2011: There Is No Standing Still
Dec 1, 2011: Scarcity or Abundance?
Nov 15, 2011: Am I a Human Doing or a Human Being?
Oct 17, 2011: Seek Fresh Eyes To Ask Better Questions
Oct 1, 2011: Solving For A Greater Purpose
Sept 15, 2011: If Not Now Then When
August 22, 2011: Consider That Heaven Has A Better View
August 1, 2011: Though I May Not Be Gracious I Want Attention Too!
June 1, 2011: Albert Einstein And Problem Solving
Video
2009 Kenosha Business of the Year:
LMI Packaging Solutions, Inc.
Get A Coach!
I have used consultants extensively in my career and people have often asked why?
Some of the obvious reasons are that as a midsized business we often didn’t have enough work to cover a full time position, or we had needs that did not fit our core competencies, and/or it allowed us to bring in expertise at a level higher than we could currently afford.
But that is not what I choose to write about here. For most of my career I have employed consultants for a very unique, personal reason: to help me see myself more clearly; to coach me.
Throughout history, as far back as Socrates we have been advised to “Know Thyself.”
In business, as in life, it is critical that we do. I am a strong believer that we create our worlds. If that were true why would anyone create something they didn’t like? I would postulate it is because they don’t see themselves clearly and therefore think it is some outside force that is creating the problem, not them.
We all know the story of Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson. The greatest basketball player of all time couldn’t win an NBA ring until he got a coach. How could that be? Because Michael, though he knew how to play ball, was not able to see clearly the effect his playing style had on his teammates. Someone from the outside had to coach him on how to contribute to the players around him so he could fully actualize his talents and accomplish his goals.
I have always looked for coaches I could trust, and most importantly, weren’t afraid to tell me what I was doing that was contributing to my problems. I needed people who were brave enough to tell me the things that might cause other CEO’s to fire them. Each time I went on and on about what wasn’t working they bravely said to me, “You know its all about you, don’t you?” Yup I’ve heard it all. “You’re too controlling. You’re not holding the team accountable. Worse yet, you’re not holding yourself accountable. If you can’t handle this challenge then you need to step down and find someone who can for the sake of the people.”
I’ve kicked and screamed from time to time but in the end I knew they were right and if I didn’t make a change, I would continue getting the same results that I was complaining about. So I would take responsibility one more time and made the change in myself that I needed to make. Trust me it wasn’t as easy as I just made it sound. But it has provided me with a life richer than I ever imagined.
At the end of the day, LMI Packaging Solutions has been around for 43 years, and I have been at the helm for 25 of those years. I’m competitive and therefore have made as many mistakes as anyone but even so we have created a company that is making a difference in the world and especially with the people with whom it engages. I wish I could take credit for all we have accomplished. All I can really take credit for is learning for 25 years how to remove the obstacles in the way of the talented people I have employed, especially when that obstacle was me. And in doing that, year after year, they have won many rings! And I have a deep respect for the lifelong friends and coaches who cared enough about me to say the really tough things that made a difference for my life.
Anyone looking for amazing coaches please drop me a line and I will gladly share their names with you.
Can’t afford a coach? Stay tuned for my next blog on how to get the feedback you need without a coach.
Questions, comments for Jean?
If you have a question or comment, you can email Jean.
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