Navigating a Leadership Leap: Lessons from my Transition to AFGSC/A4 SEL

Stepping into a higher leadership role, like my recent transition to the AFGSC/A4 SEL position, can be both exhilarating and intimidating. I've learned that success in these transitions isn't about knowing everything upfront, but about actively embracing the learning process and seeking growth.

Radical curiosity is essential for successfully navigating a new leadership role. Don't be afraid to ask questions - lots of them. Admitting what you don't know isn't weakness; it's strength. By showing a genuine desire to learn, you build trust and create opportunities for meaningful mentorship.

Communication is your compass. Reach out to your leadership proactively. Send that email asking about expectations, priorities, and how you can best support the team's mission. Understanding the broader organizational goals helps align your efforts and demonstrates your commitment.

Listening becomes your superpower. Practice deep, intentional listening - not just hearing words, but understanding the nuances behind them. It lets you see what's really going on and connect with people to build stronger, more collaborative teams.

Remember, your previous experience is valuable, but it's not a roadmap for everything. Stay humble, remain adaptable, and be willing to learn from every team member, regardless of their position.

Leadership isn't about knowing everything; it's about creating an environment where continuous learning thrives. Embrace the uncertainty, ask questions, and stay curious.

Your leadership journey starts with a single step - and a willingness to grow. 

Walk a mile

At the beginning of the year, my goal was to walk 3K steps a day. Being in an office with telecons makes it difficult to walk throughtout the day.  Most of my 'steps' were in the evenings.  In May - I set my intention to walk 1 mile every day.  I did not put restrictions on whether it had to be 1 mile straight as I know sometimes my schedule and weather would not allow.  I also made it a point to walk at work in the mornings when possible.  While there are obvious health benefits, the main reason was to build a healthy Habit. 

Though some months were harder than others due to injury, illness, weather and other distractions, I've stayed semi- consistent. January & July were rough because of Covid & Shingles, respectively.  Nevertheless, I've averaged 21 miles per month since January.   

My walking journey has transformed over the last 9 months.  

In the beginning, I would walk and worry - stressing about all the things to do for the day or things I hadn't gotten done.  I worried about "what's next" in my life and career.  I worried that others were judging me for walking so much, so often or around the same route day after day.  I worried that I looked silly walking too fast or too slow.  I worried about my kids, my mom and my mental/physical health. I walked to excape away from the hustle and bustle of work and commotion in the cubicles. I walked - but it wasn't a 'healthy habit'.  

Eventually I started taking pictures during my walk of different things I found interesting or cute.  A bird sitting on the park bench, the squirrel hiding behind the tree or the flowers blooming on the trees.  It was nice to post pictures on my RunKeeper to remind myself of the simple things I encountered.  

However, over the last month, I feel revived by my walks.  Practicing mindfulness and meditation most days, I listen to the birds sing or the scream of the B-52 engines (yes, it is surprisingly a familiar lullaby).  I'm noticing more about myself, my body when I walk- such as if my posture is poised or painful, relaxed or rigid.  Along with pictures I now collect souvenirs from my walks.  Sometimes its a colorful flower or a perfectly shaped leaf.  Othertimes, I've found acorns big and small.  I notice the morning dew on the blades of grass or the moss growing on the side of the old Louisiana tree.  Watching the birds chase each other, and sometimes the squirels, is entertaining as is watching the summer storm clouds swirling in the distance.  I notice the beauty and the destruction.  There are several old building that have been demolished in the last few months.  It's intriguing witnessing the process and wondering about the families that used to live in these homes that are being torn apart.  I think about the cycle of life and how what may be someones fond memory of their first house, is reduced to a pile of dirt and cleared away.  The leaves are starting to fall off the trees and it's fun to think back to when the ground was cold and brown, then turned lush green in the Spring time.  Soon it the ground will be hard and cold again with Fall and Winter around the bend.  The animals don't seem to mind.  They go about there business, collecting leaves and acorns.  I love when I get to hear the chirp of a baby bird, the pecking of a wood-pecker, or the hoot of an owl early in the mornings. 

My walks are not always rainbows and butterflys (figuratively) but I am struck with how my mindset and focus has shifted.  Before, it was somewhat difficult to 'get out of my head'.  Although I still have stray thoughts and worries, they are less often and it seems easier to let the thoughts 'go'. 

I won't credit my mindfulness, solely to my walks... I have done a lot of mindset work this year.  I've listened to audiobooks about Stoicism and Simon Sinek's podcast "A bit of Optimism" and read books about midfulness and meditation.  I've also made a habit of journaling at least 5x a week and meditating (haven't done so well with this habit...yet).  

The books and podcasts have been great for learning about slowing down and why it's important. However, I've known most of the information for years.  It wasn't until I practiced it during my daily walks that it has clicked and become simple.  During that time, I'm able to just 'be' - focus on the here and now rather than thinking about to-do lists or missed opportunites.  Theres still stray thoughts and emotions but I feel more in control.  Most of all, I can experience life and enjoy my time outside alone.     

So I challenge you - go Walk a Mile. 

My Value Statement

 

My top value is making a difference. This means influencing others through leadership, making an impact through small acts of service and connection, and fostering positive change. I believe we all can make a difference through our unique skills, experiences, and opportunities. It is our human responsibility to leave the world and its inhabitants better than we find it. Through service and compassion, we can make a difference. Being of service and helping others through my leadership and coaching is an honor.  

How to Coach a Client Through Creating a Vision Statement

During a recent coaching session, we focused on creating a personal vision statement. The session was positive and supportive.  However, I recognize that I didn't explain the vision statement process clearly upfront, which led to some confusion.  To help, I developed the below "How to".  

As a coach, you need empathy, structure, and inspirations to help clients craft a vision statement that reflects their goals and aspirations.

Step-by-Step Coaching Guide

Step 1: Establish Rapport and Trust

Start by connecting with your client on an empathetic level. Validate their feelings and acknowledge their busy schedule. Building rapport is essential for creating a comfortable environment where the client feels safe sharing their vision.

Step 2: Encourage Visualization

Help your client visualize their ideal future. Encourage them to close their eyes and imagine the details of what it looks like, how it feels, and what specific elements are present. For example, if their goal is to create a relaxing patio space, prompt them to visualize the layout, furniture, and ambiance.

Step 3: Ask Open-Ended Questions

Use open-ended questions to clarify your client's vision and keep the conversation focused. Ask questions such as:

·       What makes this vision meaningful to you?

·       What do you want to achieve with this space or project?

·       How will this vision impact your life and well-being?

These questions will help your client explore their goals more deeply.

Step 4: Define Key Elements

Assist your client in identifying the key elements of their vision. Encourage them to write down the specific aspects that define their ideal future, such as the features of their patio, the activities they will engage in, and the feelings they want to experience.

Step 5: Provide Structure and Clarity

Explain the vision statement process clearly and concisely upfront. Use a structured approach to guide your client through the steps, ensuring they understand each part of the process. This will help avoid any initial confusion and project confidence in your coaching.

Step 6: Offer Examples and Options

Share various examples of vision statements to inspire your client. While sharing your personal vision statement can be helpful, encourage them to explore a wide range of styles. This will empower them to create a vision statement that truly reflects their individual preferences.

Step 7: Empower and Challenge

Empower your client by encouraging them to take ownership of their vision statement. Gently challenge any self-admitted struggles they may have, such as inconsistency, and help them develop strategies to stay committed to their goals.

Step 8: Connect to Core Values

To make the vision statement more inspiring, help your client connect it to their core values. Paint a compelling picture of their future self, highlighting how their vision aligns with what is most important to them. This will keep them motivated and focused on achieving their vision.

Step 9: Incorporate Daily Reinforcement

Suggest that your client writes down their vision statement and reads it daily to reinforce their commitment. Alternatively, they could create a vision recording that they listen to regularly. These practices will help keep their goals at the forefront of their mind, driving them towards success.

Coaching a client through creating a vision statement is an enriching process that requires empathy, structure, and inspiration. Use this guide to empower your clients to craft a vision statement that serves as a powerful guide towards achieving profound transformations. By visualizing their ideal future, asking meaningful questions, connecting to their core values, and incorporating daily reinforcement, you can help your clients create a vision statement that truly reflects their aspirations.

 As I reflect on my coaching journey, I invite fellow coaches to share the experiences, insights, and challenges.  How do you approach guiding clients through this process?  What strategies have you found effective in empowering clients to visualize their ideal future?  

Practice Coaching - Day 10

I just finished week 6 of my training through CTEDU, have started coaching "practice clients" and have already learned so much - I'm turning here to reflect on the experience.  

I've had the amazing opportunity to meet two fellow female Chief Master Sergeants who graciously took the opportunity to take time/space for my coaching practice while furthering their self-exploration and goals.  

Session 1 was introductions and designing an alliance.  I was Super nervous going into the meeting but felt immediately connected with "J".  It was a great session, and I think we both left feeling excited for this new journey.  I left that same day (Friday) to travel to Missouri for the weekend.  It was a much-needed trip with "my girls" and returned Sunday night.  Needless to say, Monday I was exhausted.  Unfortunately, that's when I had my session 1 with "R".  I felt the same bond with her that I did was J although I was off.  I was distracted and tired and didn't feel in tuned with the client.  I also think connecting via telephone for the 1st session really threw me off.  

Through both experiences I realized that preparation is Key.  Getting myself to a good space mentally and emotionally is a Must.  A 5-10 minute "prep" time before sessions could prove invaluable so I can review past notes/sessions, along with powerful questions and agenda setting.  

Session 2 with "J" was exciting.  We explored influence and seeking validation.  My main "focus" was to set the space, use the TIME agenda and get through all 7 elements of coaching.  Success! While some of it felt a little forced / unnatural to ask the questions, I think it was well received and effective.  I practiced active listening, reflection, emotional validation, challenging assumptions and empowering the client to take ownership of their development.  

Not including check-in/setting the space, Account/progress on action steps and summarizing/clarifying questions - I asked 14 questions.  

"J" is a wonderful client with a growth mindset and uncanny ability to truly reflect/respond to the questions I asked.  Overall, it was a productive coaching session with good rapport and insightful exploration. I think "J" gained valuable self-awareness and actionable steps towards positive change.

This past week I started using Calendly which is a helpful tool for scheduling meetings along with OtterAi to transcribe and summarize the sessions.  Additionally, the below excerpt came from GPT when I inquired about my questioning and possible trends.  One possible blind spot is that I didn't explore potential power dynamics and how that might affect the client's influence.  

Overall, the first 10 days of Coaching have been great.  The training program through CTEDU is going well and I'm already learning so much.  I think I'm off to a fantastic start.  I have a passion for coaching, commitment to my clients and a dedication to continuous learning.  I hope to continue to reflect on my experiences and integrate feedback so I can continue to grow as a skilled and impactful coach.  

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Here are some key trends in the questions and the techniques they demonstrate:

1. A Blend of Directive and Non-Directive Coaching:

• Non-Directive: Many questions are open-ended, allowing the coachee to explore their own thoughts and feelings (e.g., "How did that make you feel?", "What would you like to talk about?").

• Directive: The coach also provides summaries, reframes situations, and suggests potential solutions, demonstrating more directive coaching (e.g., "So I'm going to summarize...", "we could get to an acceptance...", "giving them the space...").

  • This blend suggests the coach adapts their approach based on the situation and the coachee's needs.

2. Focus on Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness:

• Many questions delve into the coachee's emotions and how they connect to their actions (e.g., "How did it make you feel?", "What are you bringing to the team?", "who do you want to be?").
• This emphasis on feelings suggests the coach values emotional intelligence as a key driver of behavior change and workplace success.

3. Connecting Action to Values and Identity:

• The coach consistently links desired outcomes (influence, validation) to the coachee's core values and desired identity (e.g., "Why is this important?", "validation of your value", "who do you want to be?").
• This technique promotes intrinsic motivation by aligning actions with what truly matters to the coachee.

4. Iterative Process of Reflection and Action:

• The questions guide the coachee through a cycle of reflecting on past experiences, identifying areas for growth, exploring solutions, and planning concrete actions.
• This iterative approach fosters continuous learning and development.

5. Potential Blind Spot: Power Dynamics:

• While the coach encourages giving others "space," there's limited exploration of potential power dynamics in the coachee's workplace relationships.
• Depending on the context, further exploration of these dynamics might be beneficial.

Overall, the questions reveal a skilled coach who employs a thoughtful and adaptable approach. They prioritize emotional intelligence, connect actions to values, and guide the coachee towards sustainable change.