Is sustainable leadership about organizational capability, or individual capacity?

There are so many questions around this topic.  How do we define sustainable leadership?  This is one of the key questions we’ll put on the table at our upcoming ICCO Symposium in Chicago, September, 11th, 12th and morning of the 13th.

Join us there.  For more information http://www.coachingconsortium.org/events-0507.html 

One of the case presenters at the LA Symposium in February was concerned about getting the corporate culture and values message deep into the organization, at the level of front-line workers. This is a topic that resonates widely, I believe. In a sense, that is the whole problem of corporate culture change. Even if the executive team spends hundreds of hours in coaching, strategy, branding, and values-identification, how do the results get put into action, both in their everyday work lives and in the actions of the person who sweeps the floors?Too often I have seen enthusiasm at the “top” but cynicism at the “bottom.” What are the most successful strategies for promoting employee engagement and how can success be measured?

In the ICCO case, the presenter concluded after intense coaching and consulting that the organization needed to tell the stories that embody the culture. How and why does story telling work? One answer may come from brain research. We know that human “mirror neurons” fire when we see someone else perform an intentional action (such as reaching for a cup of coffee) in exactly the same way that they fire when we ourselves perform that action. In a certain sense, we respond to the reality of another’s actions as if it were reality for us. Could it be that we respond to the reality of another’s story as if it were reality for us? Could this be an important link in the co-construction of a cultural reality? Does this not put the emphasis on human relationships and interaction rather than tools and techniques as the means for culture change?

Posted by:

Linda J. Page, Ph.D.
President
Adler International Learning
Board Member, International Consortium for Coaching in Organizations

“What an amazing experience! I was totally engaged and excited from the first moment to the last.  Coach or client, an event not to be missed” - Garry Schleifer, President and CEO, Concept Synoptics Inc.; Publisher of Choice Magazine

“As a case presenter, the coaching I received jumped started me toward an action plan.  I feel I moved through things that would have e taken two to three months to get through in a traditional format. ” -  Dr. Charlene McLauchlan, Sales Manager, West Team Monsanto

 ”The future of coaching ion organizations consists of an integrated approach that includes a leadership focus connecting the individual, the team and the organizational culture.  The ICCO provides a system thinking approach focusing on coaching and consulting as it produces needed change in our world.” - Janet Matts, LLC

“Case study work was an amazingly effective process.  It brilliantly illuminates the value of coaching in an organization in tandem with consulting.” - Pamela Richarde, President, Inner Vision Enterprises; Former President of the International Coaching Federation

“Brilliant idea bringing the companies, coaches and coach training schools together for shared learning.” - Carol Courcy, VP,  The Newfield Network

“Such a rich experience.  Nowhere else can one who is serious about their own development, committed to process, change and learning, find the support to experience all of the above in such a non-judgmental and curious environment.  It just takes your breath away.” - Marilyn Young,  Business Owner

“ICCO offers a forum for intellectual renewal about ideas, methods and cutting edge practices that support coaching in organizations.  I expect to see ICCO grow significantly in its importance in the field of organizational coaching.” - Dorothy Siminovitch, Chair International Gestalt Coaching Program

“My experience was extraordinary!  I will never forget the insight and wisdom received from this outstanding group or professionals.  Thank you for the caring, and growth opportunity that I can never put a dollar value to.” - William Keck, Area Director, Aegis Living

“The mix of participants is both the richness of the symposium and its uniqueness.” - Paul Larson, Western Region Coaching Practice Leader, Right Management

“I got exactly what I needed from the coaching: a major shift in my perspective which will take time to process.  It was an excellent experience!” - Norman Hering, Executive Director, Oak Children’s Center

“The power of support and empathy given to the client was visible over and over, case after case.” - Benoit Vincent, Chief Technical Officer, Taylormade-adidas Golf

Talking with colleagues after a coaching conference a couple of years ago, we wondered “What’s next in the world for coaching? Where does it fit with the future of organizations? What does it mean to be good stewards of this new field of coaching?” Where could we find to talk, really talk about these questions?

At the first ICCO Symposium last year, I found the answer. ICCO brings together corporate and other organizational leaders, coaching researchers and educators, and executive/organizational coaches–not just coaches talking with coaches. We meet in a small-enough-to-be-personal salon-type setting. This is dialogue in its true depth of meaning, and it is a chance to share the vast and various experiences we all bring. It feels so satisfying and stimulating, as compared with listening to experts present, however valuable their information is. At every Symposium–and I decided I would not miss one if I could help it–I feel I am taking the pulse of organizational coaching. We are building a network of relationships that can shoulder the task of stewardship we envisioned those years ago.

 —- Linda Page, Ph.D.
President; Adler School

Chair, Alliance of Psychotherapy Training Institutions
Founding Board Member, Graduate School Alliance for Executive Coaching
Board Member, International Consortium for Coaching in Organizations
Board Member, Association of Coach Training Organizations
Member, International Coach Federation Education & Research Committee

Welcome to ICCO!

I’ve been looking forward to having a site where we can share what’s happening at ICCO.  As someone who’s been coaching for a very long time, in ICCO I’ve finally found a place I can call ‘home’ where I can have rich generative dialogue with all stakeholders of coaching at a level beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.  We hope you love what you see, join us and help us achieve our individual and collective levels of excellence.

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Most of all, make yourselves welcome.  We hope you stay for a long time to come and share your thoughts, insights and ideas for our organization.  Join us  if you’re not already a member of the ICCO and experience first hand how much of an impact we can have in your growth and the growth of your profession.

Best!

The Board of ICCO