Resources

This is the place to come for free tips, advice, useful links and other resources. Every quarter Coach 4 Executives will be updating this section with practical, new information. If you'd like to receive notification of this direct to your inbox, please complete the very short registration form opposite. We welcome contributions from our members, and information on events, books, and other helpful bytes which you believe will be of interest.

This quarter we have three articles which could prove invaluable:

• The GROW model
• Guidelines for Effective Delegation
• Time Planning and Organisation
• Team/Peer Coaching

For useful links click here

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The GROW model

This is a very effective model to resolve issues and problems that face individuals and teams.

• G = Goal - Identify the goal and exactly what you want to achieve by when.
• R = Reality - Focus on the facts, what is the current reality?
• O = Options - What are the options open to you/your team?
• W = Way forward - what action steps do you need to take now?

As part of the business coaching programme this model has proved to be a great success. Would you like an introductory demonstration for your team? Contact us today.

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Guidelines for Effective Delegation

Delegation is highly effective when you have the following:

• A positive and mutually involving working environment where your leadership style is democratic, consultative and participative.
• The willingness to put in sufficient time and effort to make delegation clear with precise instructions enabling it to work effectively.
• Using situations to delegate which do not use your greatest competences and abilities.
• The confidence & trust in your direct reports to assume delegated responsibilities and accomplish required activities.
• The ability to motivate and inspire your direct reports to greater personal performance and allow them to take responsibility.
• The skill to provide sufficient authority when you are delegating and to define and communicate the parameters of this authority.
• The clear priorities and deadlines for completion of tasks and progress reports.
• The ability to relinquish control so that your direct reports take ownership of the tasks delegated and have the freedom to act and take decisions.
• The ability to take calculated risks and reduce these by careful monitoring (Delegate rather than abdicate!)

Jackie Arnold - Executive Coach
Adapted from "Executive Coaching" by Peter Stephenson.

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Time Planning and Organisation

One of the areas I find my clients wanting to address is the question of general organisation and planning.

Often due to pressures of work, executives are "fire-fighting" and instead of taking the time to plan, they rush from one crisis to the next.

Sound familiar?

I have a problem with the term "time management" as it is actually not possible to "manage" time. However, a few minutes at the start and end of a day, can save hours and make your day so much more productive. I can speak from bitter experience.

Here are my top 10 time planning strategies:

1. Set aside 10 clear minutes at the start of your day to plan your most important and urgent tasks.
2. While you are actually completing these urgent tasks, keep your door closed and inform people that this time is for you and your specific role. (2 hours at least per day).
   An open door policy is 'admirable', but you need time for your own job as well as supporting others.
3. Set up a clear system for your PA to handle e-mails.
4. Create 3 folders in your inbox: A) Urgent B) Important C) Less Important. Ask your PA to transfer all e-mails into these folders. Check A) at the start of the day. Check B) just before you have lunch. Leave C) until you are travelling or at a time to suit you.
5. Help your PA to delete as many e-mails as possible by placing them in the deleted file. He/She can then see what to delete in the future. (Get an effective SPAM filter).
6. When you have dealt with all your urgent tasks, plan the next in order of importance. This will only take 5 minutes.
7. Take another hour to suit you, at the end of the day, to plan for the next 3-4 days.
8. If you are saying "I cannot devote one hour to planning" - I would suggest that this is the only way to do your job efficiently.
9. Plan the time to plan! Take your diary and put in these essential times to clear your mind and plan ahead. You will be very much more efficient.
10. Be very strict with yourself and others about your boundaries around time and planning.

Other tips to follow in future issues:

• Saying "NO", Life/Work Balance
• Cross Cultural Communication
• Handling the media
• Meetings and Presentations
• Team building and motivation

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Links

Links to follow shortly.