“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Barry

“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

—Confucius, Chinese philosopher

Image from Flickr by dalbera=

When I first read this quote, it immediately made me think of the Level 5 leader described in Jim Collins’ best-selling business book Good to Great.

Collins describes a Level 5 leader, who is often associated with good companies becoming great companies, as someone possessing the following primary qualities:

Extreme personal humility
Intense professional will

Perhaps some of these Level 5 leaders were students of Confucius, who guided them to their compelling modesty and unwavering results.

Exercise:

How can you take the coaching of Confucius and Collins by letting your actions, today and every day, speak louder than words?

“The gratification comes in the doing, not in the result.”

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Barry

“The gratification comes in the doing, not in the result.”

– James Dean, American actor

Image from Flickr by Terry Madeley

My son, Dan, is a very special person for many reasons. From the time he was a little boy, he was always fascinated by many forms of mechanical and computer related activities. Dan would literally lose himself in the process of building things with K’nex, Legos, and various other objects or building kits.

He even wrote, illustrated, and self-published his first animal book at age 5. In high school, Dan participated in the robotic club and in college, he was a member of the programming and video game design club, where he would sometimes work 48 hours straight over a weekend to help create a new game.

Today, Dan is a top computer programmer working for one of the most respected health care software development firms in the world.

His vocational and even some avocational software design and programming efforts bring Dan great gratification in the “doing.” This has been and continues to be his passion.

Exercise:

What vocational and avocational activities bring you the greatest gratification and satisfaction in the “doing”, not simply in the result?

How can you do even more of these activities to enhance your professional and personal life?

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Barry

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

—Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

Image from Flickr by dustpuppy

One of the challenges facing some of my business and executive coaching clients is the issue of internal conflicts and the lack of alignment within their organizations’ leadership and management ranks.

You can imagine the energy drains and loss of momentum that result when these groups don’t focus their collective efforts on their customers, markets, and even their competition.

Exercise:

What efforts could you take to align and unify your organization, communities, and even your family, to stand together to fully realize your collective goals?

Through these efforts, you will not only become one, you may even experience synergy, when the results achieved are far greater than the sum of each part.

“It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement.”

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Barry

“It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement.”

—Mabel Newcomer, economics professor

Image from Flickr by joeflintham

Today’s quote makes me think about the words “effective” and “efficient.” Many people today aim to quicken their pace at lots of daily activities – including eating, work, and most forms of interpersonal communication.

A critical downside of our multi-tasking, fast-paced society is that we are often focused on doing things efficiently, without being sure we are accomplishing what we intend to achieve.

Exercise:

During your day, take a few moments to ask yourself the following question: Is what I’m doing (or about to do) moving me toward my desire?

By focusing on where you truly want to go, you won’t mistake activity for achievement.

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.”

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Barry

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.”

—Thomas Morell, English librettist and scholar

Image from Flicker by svenlohmeyer

Organizations often engage coaches to support the growth and development of their key people. They see these engagements as investments that can pay huge dividends as they create a culture of coaching.

Of paramount importance to these efforts is the fact that these key leaders and managers are setting an example for their teams, by demonstrating their own coachability and openness to change.

Exercise:

Who in your personal or professional life sets a great example for you to follow?

What can you do to set an even better example for others in your life?

“Values are critical guides for making decisions. When in doubt, they cut through the fog like a beacon in the night.”

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Barry

“Values are critical guides for making decisions. When in doubt, they cut through the fog like a beacon in the night.”

—Robert Townsend (attrib.)

Image from Flickr by briant87

I am reading A Lapsed Anarchist’s Approach to Building a Great Business, by Ari Weinzweig. He is the co-owner of Zingerman’s, located near the University of Michigan’s campus in Ann Arbor.

This book contains a wide variety of essays that show how Zingerman’s became what Bo Burlingham from Inc magazine refers to as “the coolest small company in America.”

Townsend’s quote speaks to the very heart of what makes Zingerman’s, with now over 500 employees, a great place to eat and work.

Exercise:

Google Zingerman’s to do a bit of research into how their values guide their decisions and why they are famous for “the Zingerman experience.” You can even use their mail-order business at zingermancommunity.com to get a literal taste for yourself.

“Sometimes in the winds of change, we find our true direction.”

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Barry

“Sometimes in the winds of change, we find our true direction.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by epSos.de

Here in Michigan we pay particular attention to the weather. January was the snowiest in history and the temperatures were as cold as I’ve ever experienced. The weather forecast includes a metric called “wind chill” or “the wind chill factor, which is a combination of the actual temperature along with the wind speed, to provide a measure of how cold it actually feels.

Today we are all experiencing the winds of cultural and political change at a far brisker pace – personally, professionally, and perhaps even globally.

Exercise:

In the coming days, how can you either lean into or go with the winds of change to find your true direction? Consider the possibility of adding your own breeze to sweep you toward your destiny.

“Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity…”

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Barry

“Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.”

—Don Miguel Ruiz, Mexican spiritualist author

Image from Flickr by Brisbane City Council

We have all heard the phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword.” Our words have the power to tear down and destroy – or in the case of truth and love, to bring the world together.

We rarely hear the word “impeccable”. It points to an exemplary standard of excellence seldom seen today, and yet it can be the basis of character that we can all aspire to (and choose to follow in our leaders).

Unfortunately, more often than not, we see only rare glimpses of this impeccability – and even then, the actions we observe fall short of the mark. Take heart, however, in the fact that truth and love are two of the most powerful forces in humanity, and that fundamentally, we all strive for them every day, despite our shortcomings.

Exercise:

How can you and will you raise your own standard of impeccability of your word to forge all the wondrous benefits that truth and love provide?

A simple way to begin is with a promise you make to yourself and others. Feel free to let me know your intentions in this area and the results which you discover.

“Rain and sun are to the flower as praise and encouragement are to the human spirit.”

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Barry

“Rain and sun are to the flower as praise and encouragement are to the human spirit.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by solarisgirl

As a former science teacher, I am fascinated by the process of photosynthesis – that plants can use sunlight to make their own food seems nothing short of a miracle.

Man—and virtually all animals—eat these plants as our way of sustaining life. Yet we are feeding only the body portion of ourselves – leaving our souls and spirits a bit empty.

Exercise:

How can you feed others the important nutrient of praise and acknowledgement, and surround yourself with others who will offer it to you in return?

The Quotable Coach

Tag Archives: Barry Demp Coaching

“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

—Confucius, Chinese philosopher

Exercise:

“The gratification comes in the doing, not in the result.”

“The gratification comes in the doing, not in the result.”

– James Dean, American actor

Exercise:

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

—Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

Exercise:

“It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement.”

“It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement.”

—Mabel Newcomer, economics professor

Exercise:

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.”

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.”

—Thomas Morell, English librettist and scholar

Exercise:

“Values are critical guides for making decisions. When in doubt, they cut through the fog like a beacon in the night.”

“Values are critical guides for making decisions. When in doubt, they cut through the fog like a beacon in the night.”

—Robert Townsend (attrib.)

Exercise:

“Sometimes in the winds of change, we find our true direction.”

“Sometimes in the winds of change, we find our true direction.”

—Author Unknown

Exercise:

“Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity…”

“Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.”

—Don Miguel Ruiz, Mexican spiritualist author

Exercise:

“Rain and sun are to the flower as praise and encouragement are to the human spirit.”

“Rain and sun are to the flower as praise and encouragement are to the human spirit.”

—Author Unknown

Exercise:

“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

—Confucius, Chinese philosopher

Exercise:

“The gratification comes in the doing, not in the result.”

– James Dean, American actor

Exercise:

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

—Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

Exercise:

“It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement.”

—Mabel Newcomer, economics professor

Exercise:

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.”

—Thomas Morell, English librettist and scholar

Exercise:

“Values are critical guides for making decisions. When in doubt, they cut through the fog like a beacon in the night.”

—Robert Townsend (attrib.)

Exercise:

“Sometimes in the winds of change, we find our true direction.”

—Author Unknown

Exercise:

“Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.”

—Don Miguel Ruiz, Mexican spiritualist author

Exercise:

“Rain and sun are to the flower as praise and encouragement are to the human spirit.”

—Author Unknown

Exercise:

“Leave a little behind.”

—Dr. Cornel West, philosopher and academic

Exercise: