While
the coaching process is about you, this page is about me. Before you invest time
and money with a coaching relationship, you ought to know some things about me.
I'm
a good listener...
My
friends tell me that I'm a good listener. Being able to listen is an important
part of being a coach as conversation is the key activity of a coaching relationship.
Have you ever noticed not all conversations are mutually rewarding? Comedienne
Fran Lebowitz said that "conversation has two parts, talking and ...waiting."
I have had conversations with people that operate with the talking and waiting
philosophy. What can be more frustrating than not being heard by the other party?
I
want to hear your story. We'll have a history-free, fresh start with no pre-conceived
notions by either of us. Co-workers, long-time friends, family, and spouses can
all appear to be good listeners. Their appearances can be deceiving, however.
They may be hearing but they aren't always listening. The personal history relationship
between you and others can produce distracting background noises that prevent
hearing. You and I will have no history to clutter our dialogue. Let's examine
your situation, identify the players and the plans and get you in your game.
I
walk my talk.
I hire a coach, too. I believe in what
I sell. It works.
I tell the truth.
Even when it hurts.
Our
House...
I
live near Lockport, a small town in western New York state. My
wife, Betsey, and I have been married 22 years and we are parents of six children.
The children range in age from 8 to 20. We have a small farm of 28 acres with
6 horses and a menagerie of dogs and cats, ducks, rabbits and a goose. E-I-E-I-O
spoken here.
I
Love Business...
It
happened one day and I took notice. My friend said in conversation,
"Doug,
let me ask you, You're a businessman, what about......" I don't recall
the rest of the question but I'll never forget that I had arrived! I was a businessman.
I liked the sound of that word, "businessman." I had to dig out my images
of what a businessman is. He is a guy who is saavy, experienced, respected, tough,
but fair.
I took
inventory of what stuff I did know. The list began to get long. WOW! My curiosity
and enthusiasm about business over many years had paid off. Opportunities to learn
were taken advantage of and had produced a deep reservoir of business knowledge.
I'm proud to offer my clients my experience and knowledge about business.
My
passion ...
I
wanted to be a cowboy at a very young age. ( see businessman
daydreams )
I worked very hard selling my parents on the idea that a horse
would be a wonderful thing for me. They believed in me and, lacking any experience
with horses, presented me with a horse on my 13 th birthday. My passion for horses
has stuck with me ever since.
It
took many years for me to understand how passions affect us and how they feel.
Horses are one of my passions.
I
can look at horses for hours, talk about yours, brag about mine and actually enjoy
the great amount of physical work and time dedication they demand. The sensation
I get every time I ride is contentment. It's the feeling that I wish everyone
gets to experience regularly.
What's your passion?
