Christmas Carol Coaching - Help to Get Ahead at Holiday Time!
I've always been fascinated by situations where art imitates real life and right here is a perfect example, which links Christmas and business & personal development. If you want to read about a serious piece of dodgy people management (bordering on potential litigation); a man all adrift with the world and himself; shown how to do it by three visionary experiences (and with a brilliant example of supportive team-building thrown in); and then the ultimate Christmas 'shift'? These are all brilliantly described for your pleasure in a seasonal read of 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. Here, Dickens brings out all of these wonderful examples and takes us through the life of Scrooge, ending in an exemplary and joyful outcome for a guy whose life is changed for the better, forever (despite years and years of baggage). From an opening of how not to treat your 'team' ('You'll be wanting a whole (Christmas) day (off) tomorrow, I suppose?' - and I particularly like the image of the poor clerk keeping warm with a candle!); through the solitary Christmas Eve meal; surviving the initial appearance of Jacob Marley as his front door knocker (what is the light given out by a 'bad lobster in a dark cellar'?), the reader then experiences Scrooge taken through great examples of coaching by visits from the three 'ghosts' ? exploring, in turn, his lost childhood, an example of how to really motivate and celebrate with your team of employees (the wonderful 'boss' Fezziwig) - and an understanding of what you may miss in your life if you don't act now. Spot the analogies for yourself in a read that will take you a mere afternoon by a cosy fire - maybe with some mulled wine thrown in! And once you've considered this Dickens novel, how many other works of fiction could be considered part of the Coaches' world? I've found over the years, through my love of reading, that there are many people skills issues highlighted or to be construed from the world of fiction (not forgetting film ? what brilliant management skills metaphors in 'A Bugs Life' or how to motivate an unruly bunch as Mel Gibson did in 'Braveheart', to name but a couple). In almost every book you read, or film you watch, if you look out for the broader context, there are riches to behold. Many of these are worth enjoying and where appropriate, sharing with colleagues and friends, just to put another angle on a situation. Do have a break and enjoy 'A Christmas Carol' at this seasonal time of year - oh yes, and have a great holiday too! Enjoy the book and feel free to let me know of any other examples you might care to share that I'd want to read myself! Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Making Change Work
Shaky Foundations
Think Before You Talk
What you say to other people can make or break you and it can happen without you even knowing about it. That old saying "loose lips sink ships" is oh so true in business. If you like to gossip as most people do, learn to listen rather than participate. Oh, you're saying to yourself that yes maybe you do talk about the job or your co workers, but never to anyone who's involved outside your work.
The Dog That Didnt Bark
A few weeks ago, after consultations with others in an association I represent, I made a partnership pitch to another organization with similar interests. If the idea comes to fruition, it will radically change our organization.
Managing Employees Is A Little Like Herding Cats
Q: I started my small business about a year ago and it's grown steadily. I like having my own business, but I'm having a tough time managing people. I have 5 employees now and it seems like I spend half my time making sure they are doing what they're supposed to be doing and the other half of my time doing things they didn't get done. Things were much easier when I was a one man shop. Any suggestions?
-- Paul C.
Its All About The Customers, Baby
If you want to ensure a steady stream of customers in your business, you must always remember why you're in business in the first place.
Bolster Credibility with Investors--Avoid These Phrases in Your Business Plan
Remember Papa John's commercial on TV with the slogan "Better Ingredients, Better Pizza"? Well its nothing more than puffery: general, non-provable, inane claims. The problem is puffery is not only acceptable it's often expected. Phrases like "the biggest," "the best," "the cheapest," and so forth are so over used most people simply ignore them.
Innovation Management ? Eliciting Dominant Ideas
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.
Dont Wait for Tax Time to Look at the Bottom Line
A curious thing happens to entrepreneurs in the spring of every year. They wake up one day and realize they had better figure out how much money they made last year so they can pay their taxes. But wait, shouldn't a business owner already KNOW how much money he or she made last year, last quarter, or last month?
Survival of the Fittest: The Road to Human Extinction
I was watching a TV program some months ago about a biologist working in Central America who was dedicated to protecting the panther species from extinction. During the program I heard him make a comment that upon reflection I found had embedded in it seeds of wisdom that not even he was aware of.
A Corporate Facelift With Sound Bytes
If Baby Boomers can get botox and tummy tucks, then why don't companies receive facelifts to improve their image as well? The telephone is the lifeblood of any business. Use it respectfully. Don't leave your clients on-hold to listen to radio static or elevator music. With digital recording and delivery of sound files, professional production of on-hold advertising is both economical and necessary for a positive image. That's right ? it's imperative that the first impression a client receives of your business (even though they may never visit) is how they're treated on the telephone. How many times have you called a business to hear "Thank you for calling ABC Dental Office please hold" before you can get a word in edge-wise." In many cases , what they have on-hold is your first impression of that company.
Operating on Perpetual Overload?
Check Out Your E-Habits
The Art of Motivation and Need Fulfillment
Industrial/clinical psychology and applied psychiatry have made tremendous strides in understanding human behavior. New discoveries and applications toward understanding human behavior are being announced with increasing frequency in these inexact sciences. Still, it is possible to become reasonably proficient in the art of motivating others. While this skill is indeed complex, the average supervisor, through a comprehensive understanding of motivational elements (the dynamics of motivation, motivators, and motivational techniques), can become an effective leader of others in the workplace. With patience and applied practice, this skill can be obtained within a relatively short time span.
The Three-category Approach to Performance Management: Effort, Ability, or Environment
Performance Management is the act of managing personal or organizational performance. What can complicate this process are all the factors that can arise where a textbook process meets the situations and people that exist in your world. As an effective director, manager, or supervisor it is your job to ensure the success of the organization by achieving of all key performance indicators.
Leaning Toward Change
Seduced by the publicity surrounding the impact of Lean on organizations, it's no surprise that people new to Lean, upon hearing or reading such information, are anxious to implement a continuous improvement initiative in their organizations.
Six Sigma Training 101 ? Better Management Basics
What is Six Sigma?
Coaching Can Get The Boss In Shape
Who tells the boss that they can improve their management or leadership? How do they look at themselves objectively and identify what areas they can improve and the benefits of doing so?
Few Things Are More Destructive Than An Insecure Boss
Few things are more destructive to a career than a boss who is insecure.
Unfortunately, it is a near certainty that most people will encounter one or more such persons along the way.
Toxic Bosses
What's everyone's favorite topic around the water cooler? Bad bosses! You know, the ones who make life in the office unbearable? Here are some of the more common varieties you'll find.
Lack of Operations Manuals Stunting Your Growth?
Lack of Operations Manuals stunting your growth?
New Job, New Culture: Do You Fit In?
It seemed like a good decision at the time. A 10-percent raise, an easier commute and a chance to move up the corporate ladder.
|
