The world is full of coaches. How can we possibly sort through the myriad claims of breakthrough thinking and assistance to find the critical insight and challenge we really need?

Today's leaders are increasingly faced with new challenges and few find themselves fully prepared to deal with the accelerating and mind numbing complexities, global realities and people issues, which have become ever more demanding, and which cannot be solved with the once "tried and true" processes of the past, even the recent past. Most leaders have certainly earned their positions over many years. But, as one saying goes, "What got you there, may not keep you there."

When Sam, a 38 year old pharmaceutical executive, was promoted into a "bigger job" everyone who knew him believed he was the perfect choice for this challenging and highly visible position.

From all outward appearances Sam had the perfect skill set and temperament for the role and six months into it he was meeting all his targets. However, internally, Sam felt quite differently. During our first meeting to explore the possibility of having me as his coach, he said he just wasn't feeling "like himself." Generally he was excited about any new challenges he took on. He had always been eager to jump in and "make things happen." That wasn't happening this time and he just couldn't figure out why. He was confused and more than a bit worried that this ambivalence would start to show up in his performance.

ARTICLE CONTRIBUTORS

Richard Chagnon is an organizational consultant with EASI·Consult®.
Noeline Thomson-Bee is an organizational consultant with EASI·Consult®.
Don Payne is Vice President, Executive Development with EASI·Consult®.

ABOUT EASI·CONSULT®

EASI·Consult® coaches have extensive experience working with managers, directors and officers within Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. and organizations worldwide.

Welcome to the Spring 2010 issue of EASI·Consult's e-newsletter. We are excited about the opportunity to share information and perspectives regarding the work we're engaged in, along with features that draw upon the experiences and knowledge of those we work with.

We have all, to some degree, been navigating through some treacherous waters over the past few years. And, we have learned a lot about the value of resiliency, persistence and courage. We have also learned more about the value of strong, enduring personal relationships and how they enhance our confidence as we work to help organizations build talented and engaged work teams. To this end and in addition to our quarterly e-newsletters, we plan to distribute e-bursts throughout the year as important topics come to our attention. Our commitment to "just in time" information is critical as we continue to support the work of our colleagues and clients. We sincerely hope the information we provide will be timely and helpful.

We invite you to comment on the content to help us focus our efforts on the topics that will have the greatest positive impact. Please direct your feedback and suggestions to newsletter@easiconsult.com.

And remember, "Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive, because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive, because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive, because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny." (Mahatma Gandhi).

—EASI·Consult®

	Emotions Revealed by Paul Ekman. A pioneering psychologist's guide to how we can learn to identify emotions - both our own and those of the people around us - and manage how they influence our behavior.
	The Differentiated Workforce by Brian Becker, Mark Huselid and Richard Beatty. Based on two decades of research and experience working with hundreds of companies, this book shows readers how to translate talent into strategic impact and a unique advantage that competitors cannot replicate.
	Leading Out Loud by Terry Pearce. Provides readers with concrete methods for improving their own communications by guiding them through the internal work necessary for creating an honest and compelling vision. This book also demonstrates how readers can find their authentic voice and articulate their message with confidence.