E- Zine - August 2005

WELCOME to the PROTOCOL PLUS MONTHLY E-ZINE

IN TODAY'S ISSUE:

Tips to Outclass Your Competition – The Magic of Team Collaboration

A man was lost while driving through the country. As he tried to read a map, he accidentally drove off the road into a ditch. Though he wasn’t injured, his car was stuck deep in the mud. So the man walked to a nearby farm to ask for help. “Warwick can get you out of that ditch,” said the farmer, pointing to an old mule standing in a field. The man looked at the haggardly mule and looked at the farmer who just stood there repeating, “Yep, old Warwick can do the job.” The man figured he had nothing to lose. The two men and Warwick made their way back to the ditch. The farmer hitched the mule to the car. With a snap of the reins he shouted, “Pull, Fred! Pull, Jack! Pull, Ted! Pull, Warwick! And the mule pulled the car from the ditch with very little effort. The man was amazed. He thanked the farmer, patted the mule and asked, “Why did you call out all of those other names before you called Warwick?” The farmer grinned and said, “Old Warwick is just about blind. As long as he believes he’s part of a team, he doesn’t mind pulling.” Adapted from Some Folks Feel the Rain…Others Just Get Wet, James W. Moore.

Put two people in a room and there’s bound to be tension and even conflict. To achieve harmony and effectiveness in a team, there must be:
  • Clear goals – Everyone on the team must understand the purpose and direction of the team and buy into that purpose.
  • Clear roles – It is vital to have clear roles and responsibilities, and respect for each role.
  • Clear leadership –There must be clear authority and ownership by the leader to go the extra mile.
  • Clear communication – There must be support and trust so team members feel safe to express themselves openly.
Create the real magic with the strengths of your team members to accomplish results quickly and efficiently. To bring out the best of every employee and optimize your goals, call 405-341-3216 for team coaching.

The Coach’s Corner – No wonder we suck!

When you were a child, did your parents or teachers ever say phrases that made you feel ashamed, embarrassed, inferior or controlled? Inhibiting phrases like “Act your Age,” “Be happy with what you have,” “Boys don’t cry,” “Do it right the first time,” “Don’t ask stupid questions,” “Get your head out of the clouds,” “God will punish you for this,” “I hope you have children just like you,” “That’s just the way it is,” “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” “What makes you think YOU can do that,” “You can’t trust anyone,” “You’re such a dreamer – get real,” “You’re you own worst enemy.” These phrases, although usually well intended, are misinterpreted as limiting and carried into adulthood as dream killers. Are you still carrying the words you heard as a child as “gospel?” Make a list of the inhibiting phrases you heard as a child and look at how these words are affecting your life as an adult. You can break the cycle of these words just by re-visiting them and looking at them as an adult.

Now take a look at the language you use today. Are you projecting limited belief phrases on your children, spouse, employees, or friends? Change your phrases to encouraging, supportive phrases like “I’m impressed with…” “You’re right on the mark with…” “You can be proud of yourself for…” “You’ve made my day because…”You can do anything you set your mind to.”

Coaching questions:
  • What were the inhibiting phrases I heard as a child?
  • How have I internalized these phrases?
  • What are the inhibiting phrases I use today?
  • What is the greatness I see in others?
  • What is the greatness I see in myself?
As your coach, we can take a look at small limiting thinking, move beyond it and put you in charge of your own destiny. There are many possibilities in your life and a masterful coach will help you explore these possibilities. Call today for your no-obligation, coaching session. This 30-minute confidential session will give you the experience of coaching. To schedule your session, call 405-341-3216.

Quotes of the Month

"Live out of your imagination, not your history"
         --- Stephen Covey

"The past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope”
         --- Stephen Ambrose

Ask the Expert - How to deliver difficult feedback

Back to News & Articles