coaching – Success Strategies

10 Thoughtful And Practical Gift Ideas For Women Leaders This Mother’s Day

The Perfect Gift for Her

Some gifts are big. Others are small. But the ones that come from the heart are the best gifts of all.
Tinku Razoria

Celebrations, Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Selfcare Days…. no matter the occasion, it is always hard to find the ideal gift for the perfect mom, sister, co-worker, best friend to encourage or simply to say Thanks to one who did a kind deed. Here are 10 thoughtful and practical gift ideas for women leaders.

Gifts for Her

Professional Development Books: Gift a selection of books on leadership, personal development, or career advancement. Choose titles that align with the recipient’s interests and goals, such as “Ditch It, Switch It“, “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg or “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown.
Journal or Planner: A stylish journal or planner can help women leaders stay organized, set goals, and track their progress. Look for a high-quality notebook with inspirational quotes or customizable sections for reflection and planning.
Online Course or Workshop: Invest in an online course or workshop that aligns with the recipient’s professional development goals. Whether it’s leadership skills, negotiation tactics, or public speaking, there are plenty of options available to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Executive Coaching Sessions: Provide the gift of personalized coaching sessions with a professional executive coach. This one-on-one support can help women leaders overcome challenges, set strategic goals, and accelerate their career growth.
Membership to Professional Networks: Consider gifting a membership to a professional organization or networking group tailored to women leaders in their industry. This provides opportunities for networking, mentorship, and access to valuable resources and events.
Tech Gadgets or Accessories: Surprise her with a stylish and functional tech gadget or accessory that enhances productivity and efficiency, such as a smartwatch, wireless headphones, or a sleek laptop bag.
Self-Care Package: Put together a self-care package filled with pampering essentials like scented candles, bath salts, herbal teas, and skincare products. Encourage women leaders to prioritize their well-being and recharge their batteries.
Mindfulness or Meditation Tools: Help women leaders manage stress and promote mindfulness with gifts like a meditation app subscription, aromatherapy diffuser, or a set of meditation cushions.
Personalized Leadership Assessment: Invest in a personalized leadership assessment tool or 360-degree feedback survey to help women leaders gain valuable insights into their strengths, areas for improvement, and leadership style.
Inspiring Artwork or Decor: Choose a piece of artwork or decor that inspires and motivates women leaders in their workspace. Whether it’s a motivational quote print, a vibrant painting, or a decorative desk accessory, find something that resonates with their aspirations and values.

These gift ideas for women leaders combine practicality, inspiration, and personalization to support their professional growth and well-being.

Which gift pulls you in? Is there another or a few that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Connect now to gift that personalized gift of Executive Coaching or personalized leadership assessment today. It is the gift that keeps on giving.

Cheers!

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Excellence In Public Service Award …

This award for Excellence in Public Service took me by complete surprise! It’s such an honor to be recognized for the work done in our communities at home and abroad.

Hmmm… 🤔 as I wondered why, it caused deep reflect…

As an author of several books, the topic of leadership, success and its impact on America and the contribution of successful Caribbean American immigrants (eg Colin Powell) in media, politics, education, aviation, entertainment, intrigued me. As such I invested years interviewing top leaders in organizations. That research has been a valuable Coaching resource that helped inspire, motivate and empower aspiring leaders.

I reflect on my work within pharmaceuticals, healthcare and the hospitality industry with HR Leaders where I spent a decade contributing to bold initiatives that made a positive impact on organizational leaders through identifying speakers making vast change to society.

I also pondered my work with the Institute of CAribbean Studies in Washington, DC through the platform of White House champion of change Dr Claire and Dr Nsombi, I invested time to lead a team to find talented individuals under 30 years old, making outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, advocacy, entrepreneurship… essentially rising stars who at a young age have impacted our wider society in their communities. Over the years since the 30 Under 30 program’s inception, many have gone on to do great things.

Let me not forget my involvement in ministry, where I have also written books on encouragement, worked on health fairs, Coached career development, traveled globally to speak on personal development and its impact on leaders afar.

Yes, as I look back, I am pleased and humbly accept this distinguished award from the Writers of Color, South Florida. A Group led by Dr. Ralph Hogges, Dr. Benjamin Cowins and Dr. Delores Smiley.

Cheers to fellow colleagues Dr Susan Davis and Dr Thea White for your partnership.

Service is in my DNA. I will continue.

One love

Achieve In Months What Might Take Years On Your Own …

Don’t let mental blocks control you. Set yourself free. Confront your fear and turn the mental blocks into building blocks.
Dr. Roopleen

Whether you feel stuck in your career, overwhelmed as a supervisor or simply want to maximize your performance, coaching could be the key to achieving in months what might take years alone. The top signs you will benefit from working with a coach are discussed in the video.

You feel stuck and unable to move forward.
You are struggling to Balance work, life and personal commitments.
You are in a Leadership role but feel out of your depth.
You are going through significant life or career transition.

Invest less than 10 minutes to watch this video and discover the power of coaching for yourself! The returns could change the trajectory of your personal and professional life.

New Entrepreneurs Growing Pains: 5 Factors To Consider

Entrepreneur Growing Pains

Joy was excited about launching her business and she did! Now six months later, she has been finding it difficult to survive financially. With rising debt and living expenses, she is unable to make ends meet. She reached out for coaching to tackle her inner stress while pondering if she had made a mistake.

This situation is common to many first-time entrepreneurs. Statistics show that many small businesses fail during the first year. Most ponder giving up or staying the course. The decision between working on their new business or getting a job often depends on various factors. Here are a few:

Financial Stability: If an entrepreneur’s financial situation is precarious and their business isn’t generating immediate income, getting a job might be necessary to cover living expenses and support the business financially.
Business Stage: Early-stage businesses might require time and effort before becoming profitable. In such cases, working on the business while having a part-time job or a source of stable income could be a feasible option.
Learning Curve: New entrepreneurs might benefit from working in the industry they’re entering. A job can offer insights, experience, and networking opportunities that can be invaluable for their business.
Time Commitment: Running a business demands a significant time commitment. If the business requires full-time attention to get off the ground, working solely on the business might be necessary initially.
Risk Tolerance: Some entrepreneurs prefer to dedicate all their time and energy to their business, even if it means financial strain initially, while others might opt for a more gradual approach to reduce financial risk.

In many cases, a hybrid approach—working part-time or freelancing while gradually growing the business—can strike a balance between financial stability and business development. It allows entrepreneurs to sustain themselves while dedicating time to their entrepreneurial venture.

Ultimately, it’s crucial to assess individual circumstances, weigh the pros and cons, and make a decision that aligns with both the financial needs and the growth potential of the business.

Are you a new entrepreneur experiencing first year growth pains? Which of the above will you adopt and apply to your situation? Are there any others that you have considered? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Jobs That Will Disappear In The Next Decade …

Things change. Nothing remains forever

As a leadership coach who has help many transition their careers in business and entrepreneurship, I was curious when I came across MSN’s Andrew Herring’s story on careers that will disappear in the next decade. Here I share.

Is Your Job On The List?

Drivers. Not sure if I am ready to be driven around by driverless cars, but ready or not, it’s coming.
Customer Service Reps were the ones we couldn’t live without. These days we have to since we cannot get a ‘human‘ on the phone. Besides, who wants to speak with anyone anyways in this text era?
Factory workers. No surprise here considering automation.
Travel Agents. They are more travel smart but airlines direct sales to our emails, we keep forgetting their value.
Bank Tellers. Can’t recall the last time I went into a bank line. Drive through, online check negotiations and direct deposits from employers, this is believable.
Proofreaders. I still like this especially as an author but lots of software available, so this is not so far-fetched.
Receptionists. Wonder who will I see when I walk into brick-and-mortar businesses? Hotel check-ins, direct to agent services, I guess?
Bookkeepers. Who uses them anyway when Ai keeps track and easily track expenses, reconcile and fast generate reports?
Data Entry Clerks. Check what your phone scan feature can do. Yep, it can easily read handwriting and convert it into digital text. Absolutely convenient.
Telemarketers. I think my 91-year-old uncle will miss answering the phone angrily. It seems the calls never stop these days.

So, there you have it. Ensure that the job of your dreams still exists before you invest in it. Otherwise, are there any jobs missing from the list? Or should any be removed? Please share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

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Elevate Your 2024: Join Our Exclusive Goal Setting Retreat!

Grab a Friend and Get ready to level up 2024 at the Goal Setting Retreat, where we’ll dive deep into setting & crushing your goals while enjoying fun.

Get ready to level up 2024 at the Goal Setting Retreat, where we’ll dive deep into setting & crushing your goals while enjoying fun.

2024 Goal Setting Retreat for Empowered Leadership

Buy One Bring a Friend 50 Percent off and join us for the 2024 Goal Setting Retreat for Empowered Leadership! This intimate small group in-person event will take place on Saturday, November 4, 2023, starting at 9:30 AM (EDT), at the lovely Hutchinson Island.

Are you a seasoned corporate Leader, professional, entrepreneur or desiring a change to take your career to the next level? This retreat is designed to empower and inspire you to set ambitious goals and achieve extraordinary results. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, this event is for you!

OBJECTIVES include reflection & assessment; defining your vision; goal planning & strategy; overcoming challenges and staying motivated; tracking progress and adjusting.

During this retreat, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from experienced mentors, get clarity and valuable insights into effective goal setting strategies. Gain insights from shared personal experiences and get practical tips to help you unlock your full leadership potential.

Get ready for a day filled with interactive, engaging discussions, personal reflections, learning stories from the field, networking opportunities, and rejuvenating fun on Florida’s sun, sea, and sand. You’ll leave feeling motivated, energized, and equipped with the tools to create a clear roadmap for success.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to invest in your leadership journey. Reserve your spot today and get ready to set yourself up for a successful 2024!

PS: Does not include Hotel Accommodation

Words To Use Instead Of “Very” …

Life changes very quickly in a very positive way if you let it
Lindsey Vonn

The word “Very” is often overused, articulated Tina O’Rourke in a public writers forum. Personally. as an author you may feel the same way. Here’s s list of replacement words you can adapt instead.

Cheers!

Social Media: Here’s How I Use Strategically…

Social Media is a “build it, nurture it, engage them, and they may come and stay.”
Seth Godin

Want time to fly? Start scrolling. Want to develop skills? Grow professionally? Network? Search for answers, trends? Get Social. It is the answer for most things. But be intentional. Here I share how I use the different medium

LinkedIn is used for Professional connection. To learn and grow personally and to keep in touch with professional association networking opportunities. As a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), ICF South Florida, HHRABC Hospitality Association, Florida Writers Association (FWA), this platform keeps connections updated on industry happenings.

Instagram

Instagram I use to motivate, and inspire. On a daily basis i share inspirational quotes to encourage those seeking purpose, driving confidence and encourage followers to grow and develop and to never give up on their goals. It’s also used for entertainment as I love all things dance. I also support other writer who post book events and happenings there.

Facebook

Facebook began as a place to keep in touch with friends far and wide. Birthdays, anniversaries, and all things celebration reside there.

TikTok, Twitter

Two different platforms. I post on Twitter through my blog but don’t reside there. When I want a laugh, I head over to TikTok or sometimes for book Toc ideas to boost my book marketing and writing prowess.

Essentially social media provides that online networking opportunity for all things virtual. It’s a necessary tool provided it’s used sparingly. Want time to fly? Just start scrolling and before you know, an hour or two passes by in a flash.

I am Curious…. On which platform do you visit the most and what is your purpose for using it? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Writers Abandoned Manuscripts: Suzanne Bennett’s 7 Ideas For What To Do With Them…

Writers always produce more than they share with readers. Even bestseller authors have abandoned manuscripts. This article will give you some ideas on what to do with them.
Writers Write

Loved these Writers Write tips for those who write and have manuscripts that just can’t get done. Suzzanne Bennett shares 7 Ideas of what to do with abandoned writings. Here I share my favorite 3.

Create a space. Call it ‘graveyard,’ ‘slush pile,’ or ‘bits n bobs
Salvage the Wreck. The ‘To Salvage’ file contains revamped manuscripts that you still consider terrible, but where you hope to find a few nuggets of gold.
Revisit your Graveyard in times of need. Whenever you need inspiration, go to your pile of manuscripts, and start reading. You might just find a darling that once was ‘killed’

These were my favorites. Do you have abandoned writers? What can you do with them? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Everything Everywhere All At Once?

Reflecting on its application to life, can we do everything and be everywhere all at once?

I was in San Francisco with my girls celebrating my sister’s birthday when the movie everything everywhere all at once came out. We went to see it. The theater was filled mainly with college students and those in their late teens or early twenties. My own young adult college student loved it. The movie had a few walking out early. With it’s multiverse focus, it was long and seemed to end about three times with the theater dwindling as the movie progressed. We stayed to the very end. It’s emotional theme was filled with laughter, some crazies, and a few tears especially at the end. To this day my youngest still adored that movie.

Life’s Application

But as I reflect on its application to life, can we do everything and be everywhere all at once? Really hard, even tiring and strenuous. Sure grounds for emotional imbalance and high stress.

Business coaches will tell you to focus on one thing at a time. Being everywhere all at once depicts lack of focus and going nowhere. Apply this concept to your goals. Sometimes you may have to reflect on all your life experiences to get to where you want to go. If it’s studies, you have to choose a major. If it’s career, you have to choose one or one will choose you (if you’re to survive) and chances are you may end up miserable. Not to mention relationships. You have to choose. You have to decide who your friends will be. Who will you be with long term to start a family and build a life?

Our society today seems all over the place. Values have gone awol. Anything goes. You can do anything provided it makes you happy. But at the end of the day, are you really happy?

Something to think about.

Cheers!

5 Signs You Can Benefit From Partnering With A Coach…

No matter who you are, no matter what you did,
no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change,
become a better version of yourself.
~Madonna

Longing to pursue a Dream? Experiencing a Strong desire to pursue that career change? Are you a New leader lacking confidence? So many of us experience one or more of these 5 Signs yet stay stuck for years.

You feel Stuck
Wanting to pursue a lifelong dream
Long to become your best self
Career Advancement and Personal Growth
Desiring to feel confident

As a Certified Professional Coach, let’s get you or someone you know unstuck today. Ask me how and make 2023 your best year yet.

Cheers!

Career Transition: Bezos Minimization Framework…

The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.
J.P. Morgan

The Regret Minimization Framework is a simple mental model to minimize the number of regrets in the long run. Jeff Bezos after a conversation with his boss asked himself what he would regret more when he was 80 years old: Trying to build something he had strong conviction in and failing, or failing to give it a try? He realized that not trying would haunt him every day (Utkarsh Amitabh HBR).

Walking away from a great job is not an easy decision. I know that because I did it. I walked away from a great career in the pharmaceutical industry. Naturally, this decision came with it’s fair share of ups and downs but when you decide to make a decision based on purpose, all you need to do is weigh the consequences. Like Bezos did, he considered himself at age 80 and thought about it in the context of regret. If you know Amazon, then the rest is history.

As a Certified Professional Coach who specializes in career transitions and people management, I have help many leaders become clear on the next step in their career journey. It may not mean that you want to venture out into entrepreneurship. It might very well be that you want to shift into a new career in the same company or another. I reflect on a client who left his career in the financial industry to venture into a new career in social work. Hmmm, pretty drastic change, right? But the change proved satisfying.

So what’s your plan? What’s your purpose? What’s your passion? Can’t figure it out? Let’s connect.

Have a success story? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!