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Note from Sue
 For
some reason old song titles seem to be popping in my head lately for
newsletter themes. I don’t know if that means I’m preparing for my
next career as a “Name That Tune” expert!
Many of you will recognize The Who’s theme from the rock musical
Tommy in which this song is sung to a deaf, blind and mute child. My
topic for this newsletter is “listening” and this song title
sprang to mind as I think of the many times I’ve spoken with clients
about their challenges in both being heard and in truly hearing
others.
As we move into the frenzied days of final holiday shopping and
hectic visiting schedules…it is an apt time to remind ourselves to catch our breath and listen—to
ourselves and to one another. I certainly know that I fall prey to
challenges in both of these aspects. I’m working hard at slowing
down to listen to myself and those around me right now. (I have to
admit that the pacing can be quite a challenge for someone
accustomed to the rush of adrenaline.)
It has struck home to me lately that while I often work with clients
on seeking and giving feedback, I’m been a bit of a shoemaker’s
child on this score. So, heads-up everyone… in January I will be
seeking feedback from clients and colleagues on my coaching and
consulting impact as well as “how I am seen to be”. This will
help me with continued refining of my personal brand and that of my
business. I am eager to listen closely to those around me and I look
forward to using what I learn to enhance my services, my skills and
my positioning in the market.
I’m paying attention to the wisdom of my colleague Michael Bungay
Stanier, who says in the first of his Eight Irresistible
Principles of Fun, “Stop Hiding Who You Really Are”. Listening
to feedback enables people to calibrate whether they are seen as who
they really believe themselves to be. (Incidentally…if you haven’t
seen Michael’s award-winning internet movie you must visit
www.eightprinciples.com
and see what all the fuss is about!)
Speaking of irresistible fun (how’s that for a smooth segue??), I
invite you to see some pictures of folks having fun at the 10th
Anniversary party for Development by Design on November 9th.
What I particularly loved about this evening was how closely people
who had never met before were connecting and truly LISTENING to one
another. I felt very blessed to be able to say thanks to so many
wonderful clients and colleagues.
Click here for a few photos.
I invite you to read my feature article below called, “Listening
to be Heard” and think of the many ways listening effectiveness
is impacting your life and work. I’d love to hear from you on this
topic (no pun intended!).
Sue Edwards
President
Development-By-Design
www.development-by-design.com
www.clearingthe90dayhurdle.com
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News & Upcoming Events
May 10th and 11th, 2007
Career Professionals of Canada
2007 STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS Conference
Stage West Hotel, Mississauga, Ontario
Sue’s Presentation - Clearing the 90-day
Hurdle: Leveraging Coaching to Support New Leaders (scroll
down to CM3)
Click Here
Quick Links
My colleague Carrol Suzuki, Suzuki & Associates, quoted in March 2006
G&M article:
Click Here
Sue's Blog post on Listening - When
You Join a New Organization...Zip Up!!
http://development-by-design.blogspot.com/
Collaborative Website:
www.leadersofcolor.com
Leadership Onboarding Process
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Feature Article -
Listening to be Heard
I am fascinated by ironies. In my work with executive
coaching clients, I find that they frequently discover that their
long-held beliefs about leadership directly contradict their actual
experiences. Frankly, they would do better to flip many of these
beliefs on their heads. And so it is with being heard.
Click here to read full article |
