The Tribes are forming

Two Coaching Business School Intensives delivered. Two unique experiences. Two distinct groups with their own dynamic. I am realising, after this trip to Canada, how important the “tribal experience” is to the coaches and how important it is that they have a tribal elder/leader who has the wisdom to teach, train and consultant, the patience
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Size doesn’t matter

I was really worried yesterday – because after the “party” at last week’s Toronto Intensive (22 of us never stopped laughing for 3 days), the prospect of working with 5 clients for 3 days was daunting. The room was very quiet, few questions were asked during the morning. I was using lots of energy and
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Are you struggling or making an effort?

I was called to task on my use of language the other day. A coach was asking me how easy/difficult it was to fill the two coaching programmes (or schools) that we offer. I replied, “after 10 years it is still a struggle.” The distinction came later. “Chris, when you tell me its still a
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Efficient or Effective?

Big “aha” moment in yesterday’s Intensive. Its an old saying that: “Efficient is doing things right. but effective is doing the right thing right.” I have always been efficient – ever since 1980 and my first time-management course. 1. make a list of all you have to do; 2. A/B/C the list; 3. do the
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Stop calling yourself what you call yourself

This was the best moment of Thursday’s Coaching Business School workshop (for me). Stop calling yourself a coach, a dentist, an accountant, a graphic designer. “I’m a professional problem-solver with a specialisation in small business management, in smile-enhancement, in financial control, in business image. If you were to hire me to solve one big problem,
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Perfection paralysis and the shoe shine girl

Yesterday lunchtime I visited with the shoe shine girl beneath the Royal York Hotel. Inevitably, she asked “what do you do for a living?” “I run a business school for dentists in the UK and I’m here working with other potential business school owners on how to build their schools.” “Wow”, she responded, “We could
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First day in Toronto

As usual, I woke at 4.00am this morning and spent my first morning in North America pootling about my room and preparing for the 3-day Coaching Business School intensive. This is a departure from my usual routine on single day workshops, working very “narrow and deep” with a small group of clients. I’m as interested
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Buggeration factors

Sometimes I wonder whether I have picked out by the Almighty for special treatment. Today I arrived at Milan’s Malpensa airport to catch my 10.30am flight to Toronto. I fly business class whenever I can and have mentioned before that allows me to be the best coach I can be when I arrive at my
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Trusting your team

I have recently been revisiting The Tao Te Ching, the writings of Lao Tzu. and on the subject of team leadership……. When the Master governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists. Next best is a leader who is loved. Next, one who is feared. The worst is one who is despised. If you
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Working solo

I do experience extreme bouts of commercial loneliness. Times when even though Team CB are a fantastic support, friends encourage and clients inspire, it just seems like a very solitary existence to run one’s own business. Family try to help – but often their advice starts with “well I told you that would happen” (correct
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