The Thoughtful Leaders Blog
Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on May 7, 2012
“I decided to start anew, to strip away what I had been taught.” Georgia O’Keefe
I have found – in my own life and work as well as in the lives and work of my clients, colleagues, and friends – that so often it is what I “know” that gets in the way of what I have to learn.
I may “know” how to approach a task or a person, and I may be completely wrong. But my “knowing” stops me from being open to possibilities and new ways that may work better. I may “know” the cause of a problem or situation, and again, my “knowing” closes my mind to new truths and other ideas. I may “know” the best way to write or paint or connect with others, and again, my “knowing” may limit my abilities. What I’ve been taught, what I’ve “known” all along, may get in my way over and over again.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on April 30, 2012
“Of course that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.” Dennis Miller
I am convinced that there would be less conflict in life – even in the world – if more of us were willing and able to admit that we might be wrong. Whenever I get most stuck with colleagues, clients, or family members, it is invariably because both parties (noticeably myself included) are convinced that they are right. That their opinion is “Truth,” and that this Truth is the only real and valid truth.
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Posted by Lisa Kohn on February 2, 2012
 I wish I could say that I thought of this leadership approach myself, but I can’t. One of my clients a few years back shared this with me, and I’ve been passing it on ever since.
It is an adage to live and lead by. So often what we tell others about ourselves is exactly what we wouldn’t want others to think. “I don’t know how I’ll get this done,” we offer. “I’m swamped and don’t know what to tackle next,” we share.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on January 9, 2012
“You don’t have to suffer continual chaos in order to grow.” John C. Lilly
We have been taught since we were young, “No pain, no gain.” I no longer adhere to that approach.
The world is filled with organisms that grow without pain and chaos. People grow, cities grow, businesses grow, flowers grow – all, at times, without chaos and pain. The world shows us that it is entirely possible, and yet when I share this concept with my clients, they find it enlightening.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on January 2, 2012
“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” Mark Twain
Sometimes I think that nothing gets in our way as much as our certainty. We argue with others incessantly, steadfastly insisting how right we are on a specific topic, even when they have proof as to another answer. We maintain that our view of a situation or a person is the Truth, and simply refuse to consider that others may view things differently. Somehow we’re simply sure, and nothing can convince us otherwise.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on October 10, 2011
“How well we communicate is determined not by how well we say things, but how well we are understood.” Andrew Grove
How often do you have absolute surety that you’ve clearly, specifically stated what it was you needed to share. That you’ve posed simple questions, offered explicit directions, clarified unambiguous expectations, and communicated everything that you needed to. And that any misunderstanding is therefore completely and totally the fault of the people who simply didn’t hear what you so carefully said.
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Posted by Lisa Kohn on September 15, 2011
I have a “hot button” – people beating themselves up. When my coaching clients or others in my life start beating up on themselves, when they sell themselves short or see themselves through cloudy, negative glasses, I have a hard time not overreacting. I call them on it. I point out the truth. I come up with “homework” to help them shift their views. I challenge the fallacy of their perspective. But they keep on beating themselves up.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on September 12, 2011
“I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving.” Oliver Wendell Holmes
As a coach I am graced with being able to watch the movement of my clients. It is truly a blessing and offers great perspective – perspective I might not have if I were only observing my own self and life.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on August 1, 2011
“Sometimes I go about pitying myself, and all the while I am being carried across the sky by beautiful clouds.” Ojibway Indian saying
Years and years ago a very good friend of mine helped me enormously. I was talking with him, I suppose endlessly, about a situation I was facing. I was complaining, I suppose also endlessly, about how hard it was and how confused, lost, and hurting I was. My friend had listened to me discuss this same subject many times before, and I guess he realized that I wasn’t moving through the issue. I was stuck. So he turned to me calmly and directly, and said, “Get off your pity-pot.”
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on July 25, 2011
“There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands.” Richard Bach
As much as I’d sometimes rather complain about my circumstances or the cards I’ve been dealt, I’ve come to realize that each stumbling block and challenge in my life really can be viewed as an opportunity. Each of my darkest moments has brought me something. I look back at some of my bleakest, most difficult times and can now see the gifts that I’ve received.
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View Robyn McLeod's profile
You are certainly correct. I’m sure about this!
Thanks for your comment Sue. I’m certainly glad to hear your thoughts! Lisa