Want to know what we’ve been talking about? Here’s the 2008 programs. What did you miss!?

December 2008
Highlights from the ICF Conference

RACA President-Elect Denise G. Kasper attended the 13^th Annual ICF Conference in Montreal and will provide a synopsis of the key takeaways. RACA President Bob Scudder will review the achievements of RACA during 2008. Denise’s presentation will focus on how the media looks at coaching as well as the different coaching needs for Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y to help attendees understand how to connect with these population segments. These differences include the way beliefs, values, and motivations affect learning, leadership styles, use of technology, loyalty to employer and style of coaching. About Your Presenter:

Denise G. Kasper is a Director of Human Resources at Capital One Financial Corporation. She is a graduate of the Georgetown University Coaching program and is an ICF-certified coach. Before moving into human resources, Denise worked in non-profit management in Texas and Michigan. Denise teaches Organizational Behavior at Virginia Commonwealth University and has an MBA from SUNY Buffalo. She earned her Masters in Education and Bachelors from the College of New Jersey.

November  2008
Coaching for Fundamental Change
Special Guest Speaker: Don Blohowiak, ACC, Founding Principal, Lead Well Institute, Keswick, VA Topic: Coaching for Fundamental Change

Coaches can help most clients to adjust their behavior — temporarily. How can coaches help make the difference between a client modifying behavior superficially, with low commitment, and creating a lasting shift in their way of being based on internalized change? A re-ordering of the client’s belief system. What are the key distinctions between new behaviors that emerge from a coach’s encouragement and those born of a truly evolved belief system? How does a coach assist a client to explore such changes without “going too psychological” on the client?

Don Blohowiak, ACC, Executive Coach, Founding Principal, Lead Well Institute Don is an ICF-credentialed executive coach based in Charlottesville, VA. Following a successful career as a corporate executive, Don founded Lead Well Development in 1995. He has provided leadership development services to some of the world’s leading organizations including Johnson & Johnson, FedEx, and the U.S. Marine Corps. The author of several management books and hundreds of articles on leadership, Don is at work on his Ph.D. in behavioral science at Fielding Graduate University and serves on RACA’s board. For more information, see Don’s website: http://www.LeadWell.com

October  2008
Topic: The Power of TED* for Coaches
Presenter: David Wolmeldorff, Bainbridge Leadership Center

Many clients unconsciously enter into the coaching relationship hoping that their coach will be a Rescuer from the Dreaded Drama Triangle (DDT) and its dynamic interplay between the roles of Victim-Persecutor-Rescuer. Many coaches all too easily find themselves playing the role of Rescuer – largely because they do not have an alternative frame for relationship dynamics – for themselves OR their clients.

The Power of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic) offers an alternative set of roles and dynamics. Coaches can raise the level of their service to their clients by facilitating a shift in life orientations, from a problem-focused, anxiety-based, and reactive Victim Orientation to a Creator Orientation that is an outcome-focused, passion-powered, and creative way of being. The Creator Orientation opens the way for cultivating a new “triangle” or roles and relationships that serves as the antidote to the DDT. These roles are that of Creator, Challenger/Catalyst, and Coach/Facilitator.

David “Emerald” Womeldorff, author of The Power of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic) will introduce TED* to members and guests of the Richmond Coaches Association and facilitate a short experiential exercise for making “shift happen” between the Orientations.

As a result of the session, attendees left knowing:

 

• The important distinctions between the Victim Orientation and the Creator Orientation toward life;
• How to recognize the victim, rescuer and persecutor roles and relationships of the DDT; and

• How coaches can help shift the conversation out of the DDT and into TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic) and its roles of Creator, Challenger/Catalyst, and Coach/Facilitator.

 

About the Presenter:
David Womeldorff is a consultant, facilitator, executive coach, educator, speaker, and writer. He is also the founder of Evolutionary Management and cofounder of the Bainbridge Leadership Center on Bainbridge Island, WA. David is currently involved in the delivery of the Executive Integral Leadership Program, an innovative program offered by University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business Executive Education. He has served in leadership capacities on numerous nonprofit arts, community, and human service boards. David currently serves on the advisory board of The Leadership Circle and is former board member of the Bainbridge Graduate Institute, which offers a groundbreaking MBA in Sustainable Business

September 2008
Topic: Somatic Coaching: Accessing the full wisdom of the body.
Presenter: Mark Mooney, VP Strozzi Institute

In this workshop, we explored the value and use of Somatics in coaching. The word somatic comes from the Greek word soma – which translates as the living body in its fullness. We introduced the practice of making somatic assessments that, when mastered, allows the coach to be able to assess the self in relation to the shape of their client’s body. This allows both the coach and the client to more deeply access and use the full wisdom of the body in building a coherent presence in life and in the world.

Those attending came away with:

1. The ability to center as a practice
2. An understanding of the value of Somatic Coaching
3. An understanding of the process of Somatic Coaching
4. An understanding of Somatic Assessments
5. An understanding of Somatic Practices

Mark Mooney, Vice President Public Programs, Strozzi Institute

Mark is a certified Master Somatic Coach, a teacher in the Leadership and Action courses in the U.S., Europe and Asia, and provides individual coaching and business consulting.

He is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, has managed several small businesses and owned his own manufacturing business. He has been studying with Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Ph.D. for 15 years and has been a teacher at Strozzi Institute for 10 years. He holds the rank of black belt in Aikido.

July 2008  
Topic: The Power of a Positive No
Moderator: Ann Deaton, Ph.D., PCC, Founder, DaVinci Resources Program Description

Many people consider it challenging to say ‘no’ in multiple areas of their lives. Coaches can enable clients to understand the difficult aspects of saying ‘no’, and help them think about what they want to say ‘yes” to, and how to feel good about saying ‘no’.
July’s program will focus on the book, The Power of a Positive No – Save the Deal, Save the Relationship – and Still Say No by William Ury. The discussion is designed to benefit program participants even if they have not previewed the book. You can preview the introductory chapter through William Ury’s web site at http://www.williamury.com/media/pdf/pos_no_intro.pdf.

Ury, cofounder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, teaches you how and your clients can take the next step toward getting what you want. It all begins with the most powerful and perhaps important word in any negotiating situation: no. Saying the wrong kind of ‘no’ can destroy what we value and alienate others. Saying ‘no’ the right way – to people at work, at home, and in our communities – is crucial. Attendees will be able to apply their insights immediately upon leaving the workshop.

Moderator Ann Deaton is the founder of DaVinci Resources, a coaching and consulting company, and former President of RACA. She specializes in coaching with individuals and organizations experiencing significant change and growth. She has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin . She is on the faculty for The University of Texas at Dallas Executive Coaching Program and teaches courses such as “Transformational Leadership” and “Emotional Intelligence” for the University of Phoenix .

Cut and paste this link into your browser if the link above doesn’t work: http://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-No-How-Still/dp/0553804987

June 2008
Topic: Coaching from the Client’s Perspective

Details on June Program
Presenters: Moderator Tom Davidson and guest client/coach pairs
Program Description Find out what clients think about coaching! Coach/client pairs will make up a panel to address questions about the coaching relationship in a moderated discussion. The moderator will have follow-up questions, and the audience will be able to ask questions as well. The discussion is designed to allow us to explore the coach-client relationship from both perspectives, particularly how the client views the value of the relationship. The program committee expects that participants will be able to approach their coaching practice with new or deeper insights from the client’s perspective, identify best coaching practices or sharpen their skills, and learn what may add to or detract from the process for their clients.

May 2008

Topic: Speed Coaching for the Coach
Facilitator: Denise Kasper Each of us as coaches has much to share with our fellow professionals. This program will allow attendees to share our best used practices as well as learn from one another. There is even an opportunity to obtain coaching on a challenging situation. Attendees will be paired three times in discussion with partners. Please come prepared to talk, listen and learn. A sampling of our conversation starters is below. More details to come at the meeting. See you on Friday, May 9th!

• What is the most powerful question you ask that you find helps move clients in the coaching journey? What makes this question so powerful?
• What is your favorite tool and what makes this tool so powerful with clients?
• What situation are you presently facing with a client that you could use some coaching on for yourself? (Describe and get coaching)
• How do you stay fully present during your client meetings?
• When, where, and how do you give advice or recommendations, (or do you) when you know you should be letting the client drive the discovery?
• How do you balance listening to the client’s story with moving the client forward? How do you cut off the conversation while supporting your client’s need to “get it all out?”
• How do you keep track of time without appearing to be distracted during a client session?
• What offer could you make to your partner in today’s conversation? (Could lead to more networking outside the meeting.)
• What request could you make to your partner in today’s conversation? (Could lead to more networking outside the meeting.)

April 2008

Topic: Using Sales Magnetism to Build Your Business – An Approach to Marketing and Sales that Aligns with the Principles of the Coaching

Presenter: Laura Posey, Co-founder, Dancing Elephants Achievement Group

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Laura Posey explains that “Sales Magnetism” is an approach to sales and marketing that allows you to concentrate your efforts in such a way that great clients are literally drawn to you. Based on honesty, integrity and ethical practices, it is the antidote to traditional, high-pressure sales tactics and expensive advertising campaigns. Participants will learn to generate income without having to “sell.” Participants can expect to better understand ways to:

1. Focus their marketing efforts for maximum impact and minimal expense.
2. Sell ethically, honestly and effectively.
3. Attract the best customers for their practice.

Laura will help you discover what unique characteristics, features and abilities you bring to your clients and help you create a marketing system that fits your personality style and works for you.

About the Speaker:
Laura Posey brings much passion to her work. She is a “firecracker” who likes to create and get things done. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her sales and management contributions to different organizations. She co-founded Dancing Elephants with a focus on helping small businesses and entrepreneurs to improve their sales, and her clients have included individual coaches.

Laura’s extensive sales career has covered the gamut from insurance to cars. She broke into sales in high school by selling cutlery door-to-door. Laura is the co-author of Six Secrets of Sales Magnets. In this book, she discloses the differences between average, good, and great salespeople and shows readers how to become part of the top 5% of salespeople in their field. Laura is hard at work on two more books and can’t wait to see which one comes out first. Her mission is for each of her clients to earn a healthy six-figure income in fewer than 40 hours per week. Laura graduated summa cum laude from State University of New York (SUNY), and she received her MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005.

March 2008

Working with Clients’ Feelings: Using Mindfulness and Guided Imagery in Music to Enhance Coaching Effectiveness
PRESENTER: Allen Stewart
LOCATION: VCU’s New School of Business Building, 301 West Main Street, Room B3189
PARKING: Available in the New Parking Deck across the street – enter on Jefferson Street between Cary and Canal Streets. Bring your ticket with you to the meeting for validation.

Emotions are often the key to shifting our clients into new possibilities. Even though clients try to work in a logical world, they often live in an emotional state that can create a large part of what often holds them back. Enabling clients to work skillfully with their emotions is a critical component in their moving forward. In the same way, avoiding feelings can hold clients back, so putting them in touch with what they are actually experiencing can similarly have huge benefits.

The presentation provides additional perspective on approaches to working with mindfulness, feelings, and Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) to enable new possibilities for clients. Guided Imagery and Music helps clients set clear intentions for what they want to explore and what may be keeping them stuck, then it leads them into a non-ordinary state of consciousness. In this relaxed state, clients have greater access to their current feelings, or ones they may have been avoiding, and to their right brains. Often, surprising answers and solutions emerge from a relaxed, non-ordinary state of consciousness when clients are trying to achieve their goals in business, relationships, or personal growth.

Awareness and labeling of feelings using mindfulness is another profound tool for transformation and achievement. The part of the mind that labels the feeling is not the part that gets carried away by the feeling. Thus using mindfulness to connect with this witnessing presence can help clients to break free from old patters of thinking and reactivity. Allen will be offering a brief demonstration of a GIM approach to working with clients and will also provide a mindfulness exercise. He will explain how he integrates this mindfulness and feeling work into his strength-based coaching practice.

About Allen Stewart:
Allen Stewart is a coach with more than six years of training to enable his clients’ fulfillment of future possibility. He holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Guilford College and a master’s degree in contemplative education from Naropa University , and he spent three years in residence at the Great Mountain Zen Center in Lafayette, Colorado . He is also trained in Guided Imagery and Music. Allen draws on this rich background of experience to empower each of his clients to grow to the fullest extent possible in mind, body, and spirit. Allen is a 2nd degree black belt and has over a decade of experience teaching and practicing martial arts, chi gong, and meditation. Allen’s hobbies include meditation, writing, and rock climbing.

February 2008

TOPIC: The Implications of Adult Development Theory on Coaching
PRESENTER: Frank Ball, Co-Director, Leadership Coaching Certificate Program, Georgetown

In this session, Frank will explore Robert keegan’s work on adult development and learn how knowledge of his work can powerfully influence the effectiveness of leadership coaches.

There is no doubt that all coaching is developmental and aimed at contributing to a client’s adult development. Understanding exactly where clients are in their developmental life span can shift both the “what” and “how” of coaching conversations. The goal of developmental coaching is to work with clients at their level and where they make meaning of their personal or organizational experiences based on their current developmental stage.

The February RACA presentation will explore the notion of developmental coaching and how it can present new possibilities for your coaching work. We will begin with a brief summary and introduction of Adult Development Theory based on the work of Harvard’s Robert Kegan. With that as background, the major portion of the discussion will address these three questions: What are the major developmental challenges of clients at each level?

How can the coach determine with some accuracy a client’s developmental level?

What is the impact of the coach’s own developmental level of how he or she coaches?

Several real life coaching examples will be used to illustrate the impact of developmental knowledge on the coaching conversation. Sources of additional information and other resources will also be provided. This will definitely be one you won’t want to miss!

About Frank Ball, M.A., MCC Frank Ball has been an independent executive coach and organizational consultant for over ten years. Prior to starting his own practice, he was a manager and leader in a number of large organizations, including the US Marine Corps and the CIA, for more than two decades. His specialty was building new units and re-tooling existing units to perform new functions. He has designed and delivered large-scale leadership development programs in a number of organizations. These days he works with leaders within organizations to build their own and their organization’s capacity to achieve better results through the exercise of leadership that is respectful, creative, and productive.

Frank holds a BA in Economics from Davidson College , an MS in Financial Management from George Washington University , and a Certificate in Organization Development from Georgetown University . He completed the year-long Professional Coaching Course presented by New Ventures West and shorter, more focused courses presented by the Newfield Network and the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland. He has been designated a Master Certified Coach by the International Coach Federation.

Frank works to be fully supportive of his clients while also being gently confrontive. He is able to confront them with things that they might prefer not to address and do it in a way that makes it feel safe.

January 2008
TOPIC: Team Coaching: The Next Coaching Challenge
Presenter: JOHN TESTEMENT, rOADMAPS CONSULTING

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
You have mastered one-on-one coaching and your clients love you. And now you have been asked to work with a team. What do you do now? Can you apply what you have already learned from individual coaching or is it altogether different? How do you kick it off, keep them all engaged, enable real learning, and delight your client? John will address these questions and more in this interactive program on group coaching. He will share what has worked (and not worked) for him in working with teams for over 14 years, and will actually engage us in a team challenge event to experience the process first hand. Whether you are coaching a group as part of a training program, facilitating a team building event, or working with an intact work team, you will come away with some great new approaches to team coaching.
About John Testament:

John Testement founded RoadMaps Consulting 14 years ago to work with individuals and teams in achieving high performance. He has coached senior leadership teams of Fortune 500 corporations, facilitated team building events with over 200 participants, and has coached dozens of Learning Teams as part of leadership development programs. John has provided individual coaching to corporate leaders including CEOs, VP’s, and Directors, as well as small business owners and non-profits. He holds an MBA, MAABS in Leadership and Consulting, and is a Certified Professional Coach.