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May 21st, 2013
 Having been around many successful leaders in the military, in business, and being one myself, I am often asked by people how they can lead successfully. This triggers a rather lively discussion with questions such as, “Is it a particular leadership style?” or “Is it a particular skill set?”
In my experience, I’ve noticed successful leaders can vary dramatically. Some were authoritative, command and control types. Others were focused on collaborating with those they lead. Some had a high level of knowledge or expertise that helped them become successful. Others didn’t have a particular skill that set them apart, but they were charismatic and their colleagues were drawn to them. So to me, it’s not about a particular style or having a particular set of knowledge or skills.
When thinking about successful leadership, I naturally also thought about unsuccessful leaders. For me, something that is universal about the traditional hierarchy is that they “lead from their title.” When I think about titles, their purpose should be to define a person’s position in an organization, their compensation, and some perks they may receive. A title should not be used as a source of power, affect how you treat people, and ultimately, how you lead. Leading from your title may get people to do things, but they will never reach their maximum potential because they’re focused on staying in line.
Understanding how you view titles and leadership is crucial. When I think about leadership, it always comes back to the question, “If they take away your title, will they follow you?” The answer I come back to is, “If you’re an authentic leader, then yes they will.”
What I mean by being authentic is remaining true to who you are. People can tell if you’re being authentic. Just as leading from their title is often a trait of unsuccessful leaders, authenticity is a common characteristic of successful leaders. As an authentic leader, people will follow you out of respect. Even if you make a decision they may not like, they’ll still follow you and do their best, because they’ll believe your decision comes from an honest place.
To me, authenticity is why coach centric leaders are successful. Coaching starts by focusing on your core, or who you are. If a person leads from their core, their values are intact. Their focus is not clouded by a selfish need for attention, praise, or the limelight. In addition, authenticity allows you to develop the individual leadership style you’re most comfortable with, because that style reflects who you are. By leading from their core, not their title, coach centric leaders use their authenticity to motivate and inspire others to maximize their potential.
So, for anyone wondering how they can lead successfully, the first question you may want to ask yourself is, “If they take away your title…will they follow you?”
Zack Lemelle
Managing Partner, Corporate Engagement Services
Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)
iPECleadership.com
Tags: achievement, authenticity, iPEC Coaching, leadership, opportunity, workforce engagement
Posted in leadership, Zack Lemelle - Corporate Engagement Services
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February 4th, 2013
 Working smarter, not harder.
At this time in the second semester, in the midst of tackling major challenges and goals, it’s not uncommon to hear school leaders rally the team by reminding them to work smarter, not harder to increase effectiveness.
Sometimes we assume that everyone knows what working smarter is and that just might not be the case, especially if the resources at our disposal seem to be strapped.
In the book “Multipliers,” Liz Wiseman suggests that a key factor in increasing effectiveness is through “the ability to extract and multiply the intelligence that already exists in the organization.” She characterizes the best leaders as those who emphatically capitalize upon their own aptitude to instinctively multiply the genius in others around them.
Sound familiar?
Ever wondered why some leaders seem to create greatness all around them and others seem to drain intelligence and capability?
Have you ever been around someone who instantly makes you feel more capable?
Someone who you love to brainstorm with because the ideas just flow? Who energizes you?
People have extraordinary influence over each other – consciously and unconsciously. One of the most influential gifts we have, as educational leaders, is our individual and collective energy. Einstein proved that energy attracts like energy. Perhaps the reason some leaders have an amazingly positive energetic impact on the creativity of others is that they consciously demonstrate the belief that everyone has unlimited potential and the ability to create solutions.
Consciously sowing the seeds of unlimited potential.
How exactly do we sow these seeds? One simple way is by raising our awareness.
When a leader makes a conscious and concerted effort to show that others possess the ability and willingness (genius) to solve their problems, the beginnings of a culture of “multipliers” results and wayward challenges turn into opportunities.
Now that’s working smarter and not harder!
To tap into the genius of others, you need to be curious about their talents. Being conscious (aware) of how you create the space for creative dialogue, asking empowering questions, and listening more and talking less are some of the keys to becoming a multiplier.
So, ask yourself: how would effectiveness increase in your school if people wanted to use more of their discretionary effort, energy, and resourcefulness to actively search for more valuable ways to contribute? How are you empowering genius in others?
Susan Gonzales, MA.Ed, CPC, PCC, ELI-MP
Vice President, Coach Training Programs
Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)
Tags: coaching skills, education, encouragement, energy, leadership
Posted in Susan Gonzales - Vice President, Coach Training Programs, C.O.O.
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January 11th, 2013
 Yet another interesting lesson from the business world that applies just as much to our lives, as it does to business.
“Project Creep” is all about how little adjustments, extra additions, and various distractions start to come into any project, and ultimately, start to lead you off course, ever so slightly, with each additional adjustment. In this broadening of what we’re trying to accomplish, we lose focus of the primary goal and the most important steps, activities, and milestones that we must complete in order to achieve that goal.
In addition to the distraction and lack of focus, we tax our resources by stretching them too far.
How this “creep” often begins is through a great friend and sneaky enemy: rationalization!
Our ability to rationalize and create an explanation for why something makes sense is typically a great help to us — it helps us move on and keeps us from getting hung up on an issue; HOWEVER, when you need to stay very focused on a big, important project, and you need to harness all your energy in that direction, rationalization can actually defeat you and hold you back.
Whatever the big project or goal, at work or in life, we want to be aware of “Project Creep and Rationalization,” so that we don’t find ourselves way off track or having taken on too much “extra stuff” that isn’t needed right now.
Consider your own situation, right now, in your career, business, and relationships perhaps. Where might you feel like you’re not quite making the progress you want to make? And, where do you feel like maybe you’re busy and “doing a lot,” but not necessarily getting ahead?
How might “Project Creep and Rationalization” be playing a part? Assume that it is — at least to some degree.
And now, restate for yourself:
- What’s the primary goal?
- What are the critical activities that you need to focus on to achieve it?
- What activities are you presently doing that are not among the critical or not being done in a manner that’s producing the results you’d expect?
- So then, what’s going to change?
Time to drop what’s off track and not working. Enough busy work already! Pick the critical few and place your energy in those and then, watch out!
Live on Fire!
D. Luke Iorio, CPC, PCC, ELI-MP
President & CEO
Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)
Tags: attitude, leadership, personal achievement, possibilities, self-improvement
Posted in D. Luke Iorio - iPEC CEO
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January 4th, 2013
 I have a (not-too-well-hidden) confession to make: I’m a New York Jets fan.
I don’t reveal this fact to become the butt of any jokes or to gain sympathy. Just the opposite; I proudly chant my team’s identifier…J-E-T-S…Jets, Jets, Jets!
As an avid fan, I do find solace in the fact that I’m not alone. Millions of others wear their loyalty openly, prominently displayed via their Sanchez, Chrebet, and Gastineau jerseys.
Despite a less-than-stellar season, the Jets have the ability, and the wherewithal, to regain traction next year. While they have some important decisions to make in the off season, it’s ultimately about self-leadership, motivation, and living-up to their full potential.
The Importance of Leadership
You probably don’t come here to read about my football fanaticism, so here’s the thing, in a sense, in examining the Jets over the past few seasons that proves to be insightful. A brash and blustery new coach took over in 2009. Rex Ryan burst on the scene in his first press conference, promising a change in culture, a Super Bowl title, and the traditional trip to the White House that follows. Over the next two seasons, he almost delivered.
What happened? We were so close.
Well, it seems – and this may shock you – an entrenched leadership style that conveys the same message over and over again may not effectively inspire team members to elicit their best performance.
Consider the variety of leadership styles and approaches a leader can use.
There are times to be a cheerleader, times to be a coach, times to be a sounding board, times to be a challenger, times to be a collaborator, etc. An effective leader can adjust his style and approach accordingly, while helping others see fresh and new perspectives.
Since every member of the team doesn’t have the same individual motivation, adapting and modifying our message to reach all members of the team, to get everyone’s buy-in, to get out of the way and let others lead, is critically important.
Leaders Leading Leaders
Now that we know Rex Ryan will be returning to the helm as head coach next year, I look forward to seeing a dynamic and unified team of leaders. Yes, that’s plural…leaders — each player motivated to play full out, energized by the sport they love, and committed to helping one another succeed. Now that’s what champions greatness and makes great champions.
As the first playoff weekend approaches, without “Gang Green,” I’m already looking forward to next season and having my kids join me once again in our beloved team cheer: J-E-T-S…Jets, Jets, Jets!!!
Live on Fire!
D. Luke Iorio, CPC, PCC, ELI-MP
President & CEO
Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)
Tags: coach, coaching skills, expectations, leadership, motivation
Posted in D. Luke Iorio - iPEC CEO
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December 14th, 2012
 I think we’re all familiar with the game, “Truth or Dare.” As an adolescent, you may have had to admit to what you thought was an embarrassing truth about yourself or, even worse, kiss someone. Yuck! How did we not catch the cooties from this?
Today, however, I’m not giving you the Truth choice. I’m just going to Dare you. Ready?
I dare you to:
Laugh – Too often we take things way too seriously. Laughter, as the saying goes, is the best medicine. Take a dose of that medicine today and have a good, hearty laugh. It’s a great antidote for stress, crankiness, low energy, and it offers a host of physical and mental benefits.
Double Dare – Make someone else laugh too!
Compliment Yourself – As we strive, every day, to be better than the day before, we frequently lose track of how great we already are! Take five minutes and tell yourself why you are so intrinsically awesome!
Double Dare – Compliment five other people.
Help Someone – One of the best ways to feel good about yourself is to do something for another person. Today, take the opportunity to lend a hand to someone in need.
Double Dare – Help a stranger.
Learn Something – If we aren’t learning, we aren’t growing. A vital part of continually developing ourselves is to be constantly discovering new things about the world we live in. Take a few minutes and expand your knowledge.
Double Dare – Teach somebody something new.
Exercise – Just as keeping our minds sharp is important, keeping our bodies well-tuned is too. A brisk walk or ten pushups are not only physically good for you, but they clear the mind and relieve stress, as well.
Double Dare –Start a daily exercise regimen today.
Set a Goal – It can be a personal goal or a professional goal. Either way, write it down and determine how you are going to obtain it.
Double Dare – Let others know what your goal is.
Add to this List – Post a comment daring you, me, and others to challenge ourselves by submitting your own dare.
And, though I may be breaching daring etiquette, I will triple-dog-dare each of us to do these things every day!
Live on Fire!
D. Luke Iorio, CPC, PCC, ELI-MP
President & CEO
Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)
Tags: attitude, choice, encouragement, leadership, life potential
Posted in D. Luke Iorio - iPEC CEO
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