elainesuess, Author at Beyondbeing Executive Coach

The Importance of Breathing

I returned from a week in Maine in early September. I mostly stayed “off the grid,” enjoyed $8 lobster, time with friends, and the beautiful scenery. The trip was fantastic, and it made me think about rats.

Rats have been fueling research studies for quite some time. I’m not much in the habit of talking about them, but I would like to share a study with you.

In this particular study, our long-tailed friends were put to the test finding cheese in a maze (if you can imagine).

A Maze Ing

Here’s how the study worked:

R1 was put into a maze to find cheese. Read more

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Use the Positive Opposite

I was golfing the other day and was within view of the green (at last!). However, with all the rain, the bunker had become a lake.

Either way, there was an obstacle in my way, and I needed to get past it to the green!

I reached into my golf bag and put my hand on my trusty pitching wedge and pulled it out. I figured this was going to be the winning club that helped me reach my destination. With club in hand, I stepped away from the cart.

I took a look at the green, looked at the “lake,” and stepped up to address my golf ball.

Talking To Myself

Now, here’s a question for you – what would you have been thinking as you stood next to the ball?

Here are a few choices to try on for size: Read more

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Brilliant Blunders!

Ira Flatow hosts a radio show called Science Friday on National Public Radio. As you can imagine, it airs on Friday (yes), and it’s about Science (that’s right).

Weird Science

Some of the topics in recent weeks have included: Insects May Be The Taste of The Next Generation, Resetting the Theory of Time, and The Perils of Plankton.

I don’t know about you, but I find most of this stuff fascinating. Curiosity, after all, is my greatest character strength, as reported by the VIA institute on Character.

I promise, however, that I’m not writing this particular post about bugs, time, or the stuff of the oceans. The latest Science show however, is a whole. other. thing. Not only does it pique my interest but it also includes great lessons for leaders!

Brilliant Blunders

Today, Ira Flatow interviewed astrophysicist and author Mario Livio. His recent book, Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin To Einstein, “explores the colossal errors committed by scientific greats, from chemist Linus Pauling’s botched model of DNA, Read more

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Oh Yeah, Leading Joyfully!

Today is one of my favorite days of the year – it’s Easter! It’s not about chocolate and jellybeans, but about the meaning of the day. And tomorrow is opening day for the Cincinnati Reds – two momentous days, one right after the other on the cusp of a new month. Now, I’m not minimizing Easter, but there’s a connection here, and it’s JOY!

Ah, The Sports Section!

Last month I was reading an article about the Reds in the Sports section of the paper. Me reading the sports page is not completely unheard of, but I’m much more likely to go for the business section to see who’s doing what, and how our great city is advancing.

Regardless, I found myself in the Sports section drawn to an article about leadership. In the article, coach Dusty Baker said pitcher Sean Marshall was going to be one of the real leaders of the team this year. He noted that it wasn’t he who chose the leaders, but Read more

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Are You A Fixer Or A Coach?

Recently, I’ve had conversations with business owners and leaders about the challenges they have helping employees solve problems. These conversations led to discussions on the difference between consulting and coaching, and what this means for leaders.

In simplest terms, consultants are often hired to help companies solve problems, and are brought in to provide answers to those problems. Coaches approach problems and challenges in an entirely different way; recognizing that most times, the client or employee already knows the solution but doesn’t see it.

As A Leader, Where Do You Stand?

Most leaders have a choice to make each day.

Consultant or Coach?

Fixer or Developer of People?

Two of the leaders with whom I spoke mentioned recent, specific instances when they acted as Fixers. Employees approached them with problems, and the leaders fixed the problem.

In our conversations, both leaders realized Read more