Over the last several years there’s an assumption I’ve heard over and over:  “It’s Got to be Me….It’s Got to be Me” (feel free to sing the Frank Sinatra tune in your head when reading this). I frequently talk with clients who’ve developed productivity crushing habits by taking too much ownership for executing routine tasks.

Story of the Day: Today was rescue day at the large pond near me.  The fire department spends a day practicing their icy water rescue skills.  I watched as a “victim” thrashed around in a hole of frigid water with only very thin ice to support the rescuer.  To my amazement, the fireman skillfully managed

I work with clients across many areas: Prospecting Referrals Marketing/Branding Client Service Operations/Risk Teams Communication Success in Change Productivity Leadership In some areas I have more expertise than my clients.  In others, my clients have more expertise.  So what value do I bring?  How do I coach clients to success, What’s my secret? A critical part

We have a crisis of distraction going on these days!  In the confidential conversation of coaching, clients frequently confess this overwhelming feeling of “ADD”:  “I used to feel effective”, “I don’t know what’s wrong”, “Why can’t I get anything done!”, “I work so hard, but feel so unproductive and overwhelmed”.  I hear this all the

This week I had 3 connections on motivation.  First, I talked with a client leader who asked me how to motivate her team.   Second, I talked with another client leader who was really demotivated and wanted help (see Story of the Day).   Third, I watched a talk on motivation by a business consultant

I send only occasional newsletters to limit email volume.  So the ones I do send need to be good!  The most recent newsletter had a technical glitch and linked readers to the wrong article.  Ironically, the newsletter was about how to brand yourself successfully.  Clearly, technology that works is an important part!  How embarrassing! This unexpected

I’ve been talking to lots of advisors eager to communicate their value to clients.  It’s hard to create a successful brand.  Even harder, the good old days are gone and what worked in the old days is gone too.  Here’s the financial world of before: Limited – Access was limited to professionals Controlled – Activity

I had a great conversation recently with a seasoned CFP.   We talked about coaching and practice-development programs.  Both support advisor success, but deliver very differently.  It’s like the difference between buying a fitness DVD and hiring a personal trainer. A good fitness DVD is filled with expert information and is appealingly  concrete.  You see

This week I had the privilege of hearing some magic words.  A client offered tremendous praise and appreciation for our work together.  We celebrated great success:  happy and productive.  It was wonderful for both of us! That got me to thinking about how my financial advisor clients have the same goal as I do.  We

Money has less power than we think!  McKinsey released new research on employees, money and loyalty. The results provide an important lesson for us today!  They found 2/3 of all organizations have cut employee rewards. Sadly, most did not replace money and perks with other motivators. Big mistake! The research also confirmed that money is