In my post from September 28, 2018, I wrote about the Stages of Development and its impact on my thinking, living, and working. Since that post, I’ve continued to work on better understanding the theory behind this work and how best to apply it to my coaching and helping leaders develop and improve. In fact, …
Continue reading Live Your Best Life (Stages of Development) – Part 1
Breakdowns - When Life Doesn't Go the Way You've Planned Last post, I wrote about breakdowns at work – when things don’t go the way you’ve planned – and what to do about them. We examined a mythical case study about the ABC Manufacturing Company and their total failure with supplying parts to Boeing. It …
Note: The following is a fictional case study used for the purpose of illustrating one of the most frequent causes of company breakdowns and is not meant to portray any organization or person. "A breakdown is an interruption to the anticipated flow of living; the inability for standard practices to work." (Alan Sieler) Things don't …
2013 Black Rock to Rehoboth Beach Ride (seated, left to right: Geoff, Glenn, Jay, and Ralph; I have no idea who the guy is standing) The Big Surprise In 2013 I was participating in the Black Rock to Rehoboth Beach 125-mile bike ride. I had ridden this ride with my buddies several times before and …
The work and wisdom of Julio Olalla has been a significant influence in my work and life. Julio emigrated from Chile to the United States and worked with Fernando Flores, the founder of ontological coaching. In 1991 he founded the Newfield Network - a community of learners trying to make the world a better place …
On October 29, 2019, we convened our first “Meeting (extra)Ordinary Leaders” conference at the Ware Center in Lancaster, PA. One of the purposes of this event was to allow for leaders from diverse fields to expand their networks in a meaningful way. Many networking events fall short of expectations because throwing people into a room …
Continue reading Marketplace of Ideas (Open Space Technology)
“Come to the edge of the cliff,” he said. “We are afraid,” they said. “Come to the edge of the cliff,” he said. “We are afraid,” they said. “Come to the edge of the cliff,” he said. They came. He pushed. They flew. -- Guillaume Apollinaire Full Admission: I’m a Big “Chicken” I can't imagine …
Continue reading Fear of Heights (Can You Spell “Acrophobia?”)
Part 4 of 4 Geoff: Any thoughts on how leaders should develop their personal competencies? Matt: Like I said before about building principals needing coaches. I think every leader needs to find a coach or mentor that they are learning from. I’ve been blessed to have our working relationship over the years. Part of growing …
Part 3 of 4 Geoff: Why did you become a leader? Why did you agree to do it? Matt: For me it was the passion for the work that we do, being passionate about the experiences that schools provide for students and realizing that the best way to maximize that impact is through leading others …
Part 2 of 4 Geoff: Your goal wasn’t to become Deputy Secretary. How did you become Deputy Secretary? Matt: I told my wife when I first got into education that all I ever wanted to be was a teacher, that I didn’t have greater aspirations than that. And then one door after another continued to …
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