Dungy remains a coach even after pro career

Tony Dungy has officially retired from the NFL. After 30 years in the National Football League -- three as a player, 14 as an assistant coach, and 13 as a head coach -- he is leaving behind a career during which he took his teams to the playoffs for 10 consecutive years, had the highest-scoring team in the NFL the last six years in a row, and won the Super Bowl both as a player and a coach.

But even though he's walking away from pro football, he is not walking away from the world of coaching; in Tony Dungy's life, once a coach, always a coach.

On the most personal "coaching" level, Tony will now be able to dedicate more time to his wife, Lauren, and their five children, where his discipline, generosity and ability to lead by example will inspire the next generation of Dungys.

During the years I have been privileged to know Tony through his work with our national nonprofit organization, Family First, and our fatherhood program, All Pro Dad, I have seen a man whose own character cannot be questioned. I first met Tony in his office when he was head Executive Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During that meeting to discuss launching All Pro Dad, Tony took a phone call and said he would have to cut our meeting short to pick up his son from school. Right then I knew that Tony Dungy was truly an All Pro Dad.

Of course, Tony will tell you that he is far from perfect, that he must work hard to cultivate the qualities for which he is known and admired. That in itself speaks to another trait so abundant in Tony -- humility. Like his father, Wilbur, a college professor who never even told his son about his time as part of the famed World War II Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American U.S. military pilots, Tony would rather praise others than talk about his own accomplishments. These accomplishments and accolades include receiving the President's Volunteer Service Award, being named as one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World," and being chosen for the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Source Link :- http://www.indystar.com/article/20090118/OPINION12/901180344/1002/OPINION

How to work with an executive coach

Coaches are no longer just for sports.

In fact, entrepreneurs are increasingly using them to better their business game. Like their athletic counterparts, executive coaches offer strategic insights that help their "players" win in the business arena. They also keep clients motivated when they're down and work on improving specific skills and talents.
PROFIT recently caught up with a few executive coaching experts and asked the key questions about coaching.

How do I find a coach?
First, consider what areas you'd like help with. Executive coach have different areas of expertise. Some are best at helping you identify your personal strengths and weaknesses while developing your skills. Others can provide expert advice in specific business areas such as marketing or strategic planning. Still others specialize in leadership and team-building.
Once you've determined which type of coach you want, be sure that your style and personality matches his or hers. Ask for a sample session from them, recommends Madeleine Homan, a New York-based coach who co-wrote the recently released book Leverage Your Best, Ditch the Rest. Adding, if you don't sense progress is being made or some sort of connection in the first 15 minutes then you're probably not with the right coach.
As for tracking down a coach, Homan recommends asking your peers or checking the home page of the International Coach Federation, where you'll find the "Find a Coach" referral tool.

How much effort will being coached require?
The process works only if you want the help and are willing to put in the time and effort, says Reg Ellis, a 15-year coaching veteran and senior partner of Toronto-based Ellis Associates. "[Some] people come and park in the office and go, 'Okay, so you're the coach. What are you going to do?'" notes Ellis. "They kind of wait for the pearls of wisdom or the advice. They don't realize it's work that they have to contribute to."
Time commitments vary. A coaching arrangement might be focused and involve three or four sessions over a few weeks, or it can last several years. Ellis says his long-term clients might consult with him for a few hours every quarter or a half-hour every few weeks. Homan says her client relations can last a few weeks if they're dealing with specific issues or up to 18 months for some clients. Sessions can be over the phone or in-person, but most coaches prefer the latter.

What's the cost?
$300 to $400 an hour for top-level executive coaching is typical, says Ellis. Sometimes executives pay a retainer in the tens of thousands of dollars to a keep their coach accessible for a year. Homan is vice-president of blended services at the Ken Blanchard Companies, an international management consultancy with an office in Mississauga, Ont. The firm employs eight coaches in Canada and charges $750 for a basic three-session package. Longer-term arrangements start at $1,000 a month.

Sourcelink:- http://www.canadianbusiness.com/entrepreneur/how_to/article.jsp?content=20040609_154514_3664&page=2

Stuff A Bus pajama and book drive

Winter has arrived in North Texas. The daily temperatures have been making it clear for at least two weeks. Unfortunately for some, winter means cold nights without the warmth of adequate clothing.

Without the proper clothing, children are most vulnerable to the cold and serious ailments, possibly even death.

In an effort to fight off the cold winter, the North Texas Chapter of the Pajama Program will be holding a Stuff A Bus Pajama and Book Drive from Dec. 8-12.

A charter bus from Executive Coach will be at the Ooh Baby at Stacy’s Furniture in Allen on Dec. 13 from noon to 7 p.m. as part of the Stuff A Bus program that has been a holiday initiative benefitting area children for more than a decade.

Through the Stuff A Bus campaign, more than 300,000 pairs of pajamas and books have been given to children around the world.

“The goal this year is to raise 10,000 pairs of pajamas and as many books as possible from strictly the Dallas-Fort Worth area drives,” said Rita Arn, president of the North Texas chapter of the Pajama Program. “We’re hopeful for a good turnout because we’re doing this for the children in need.”

Arn said the number of children benefiting from the drive depends on how many pairs of pajamas and books are collected throughout the week.

“There was recently a drive in upstate New York that raised 400 pairs,” Arn said. “Considering the multiple locations that we’ve got in the DFW area, 10,000 is definitely achievable.”

The Stuff A Bus program is different from other charity fundraisers because the collection is for new items and all proceeds will be divvied among the organizations that requested the sleepwear and/or books, Arns said.

In the past, the Stuff A Bus donations have benefited children at the East Texas Heart Gallery, Baylor medical services, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Collin County and Dallas and multiple homeless and women’s shelters across North Texas.

Arn got involved with the Pajama Project after watching a feature on “Oprah.”

“I fell in love with the project and it’s turned into one of my passions,” Arn said. “As a realtor, I am in the home business and I thought I could make some of these children feel safe at home if I could help provide pajamas for them to snuggle up in and a book to curl up with.”

Organizations can still sign-up to be recipients of the donated goods during the Stuff A Bus campaign at www.pajamaproject.org.

Four buses are scheduled to be stationed throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area to receive donations.

On Dec. 11, two buses from Alliance Bus Charters will be at the El Fenix Restaurant and in the parking lot of the American Airlines Center in Dallas from 2-7 p.m.

On Dec. 11-12, a bus from Eagle Tours, Inc. will be at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth from 2:30-7 p.m. Billy Bob’s is located at 2520 Rodeo Plaza in Fort Worth.

Also on Dec. 11, a charter bus from Executive Coach, Inc. will be at Ooh Baby at Stacy’s Furniture in Grapevine from 2-7 p.m. On Dec. 12, the buses will be at the Ooh Baby at Stacy’s Furniture in Allen from noon to 7 p.m. to collect donations.

In the Waxahachie area, a charter bus from Lone Star Coaches will be at the offices of Dr. Laura Morgan, located at 201 Ferris Avenue, on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Source Link:- http://www.allenamerican.com/articles/2008/12/04/allen_american/news/70.txt

Business Coaching

People sometimes struggle in the field of business. Most especially the newbies. They need some advise on what they are going to do in some circumstances or when problem arises. So this is the time a business executive coach is needed. Most new businessmen don’t have a well written strategic plan and business plan. A business coach could help and guide them through a process to develop those plans.

When you want to start a business but don’t know where to start, business coaching can help you get started. Business coaching will provide you support and some advice to help you recognize ways in which you can improve the effectiveness of your business. By getting a good personal coach, you will be guided in creating and following a structured and strategic plan in achieving your goals and eventually help you grow your business.

But not only newbies need business coaching. Long time business owners sometimes need a business coach. You know that business is a very competitive world and sometimes there is no time for you to seek out or look things the better way. When you feel that your business is performing badly, you can always ask a business coach for some advise. Business coaching are categorized into different practice areas such as leadership coaching, executive coaching and corporate coaching and could be to an individual or group. A business coach can help you identify areas which you need to improve the effectiveness of your business.

Business coaching is also needed even your business is successful. They say in the field of business, trends are fast changing. It’s really a big challenge in keeping up with the new technology, rules and regulations. A business coach will provide you a guide to address these changes in a proactive, instead of reactive way. They can assist you in finding ways to ensure a more reliable cash flow and show you how to make bigger profits and be competitive.

A business coach could serve as your motivator especially when your team is performing badly. A team building activity is provided to motivate them to achieve goals. Considered by others as a thought partner when importanat decisions are needed. Business coaching provides assistance and learning support to an organization.

Source Link:- http://www.paszport.zgora.pl/business-coaching/

Executive Coach Ellyn Traub Is Featured Author in New Book with Business Gurus Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard

Traub is a featured contributor in the current release of Roadmap to Success: America’s Top Intellectual Minds Map Out Successful Business Strategies. Traub, an executive coach, author, instructor and business speaker, joins fourteen other national experts, including international business gurus and authors Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard.

Roadmap to Success: America’s Top Intellectual Minds Map Out Successful Business Strategies is the latest in Insight Publishing’s highly successful series of motivational business books. Each contributor offers their secrets for success, including insights on setting and achieving goals. More than ever before, given our fast-paced world and the current economy, businesses need cutting-edge knowledge on how to achieve success.

Traub’s portion of the book focuses on effective business communication, a key component in achieving success in business. “Communication is a very complex process, involving a sender and receiver(s), with many sources for potential errors,” Traub said. “A simple message is not that simple! It’s more than just words.” Traub discusses how all facets of communication, including internal and external communications, impact the health of an organization.

Carmel-based High Performance Leadership, Inc. was founded by Ellyn S. Traub, MS, CPBA, CPVA, CPTA, CPDA and Six Sigma Green Belt, in 2000. Traub rescues attorneys, CPAs, healthcare professionals and small and large business executives from the feelings of overwhelm and frustration they often experience in their busy lives. She identifies underlying issues affecting organizations and provides solutions via individual, group or corporate coaching.High-Per Hints, the company’s bi-monthly newsletter featuring business tips for professionals, is distributed globally.

Source Link:- http://indy-biz.com/2008/11/18/executive-coach-ellyn-traub-is-featured-author-in-new-book-with-business-gurus-stephen-covey-and-ken-blanchard/

Huskies Notebook: Diversity hopes take hit with coaching changes

The past three meetings between Washington and UCLA have been celebrations, with two of the nation's most prominent black coaches -- Tyrone Willingham and Karl Dorrell -- going head to head.

The games marked the only conference clashes of two black coaches in the country.

On Dec. 3, UCLA fired Dorrell after he went 35-27 in five years. On Oct. 27, Washington let Willingham go with a year left on his contract.

A week later, Kansas State decided it would not be welcoming back coach Ron Prince, who is black.

That fast, the number of black head coaches in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision dropped to four -- representing just 3 percent of the FBS' head coaches and marking the lowest total in 15 years.

The Black Coaches Association released its annual report card Wednesday and concluded minorities are getting more interviews, but still are not getting enough jobs in college football.

UCLA replaced Dorrell with Rick Neuheisel, but did interview defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker, who is black.

Saturday, Willingham will coach his third-to-last game at Washington as athletic director Scott Woodward is searching for his replacement.

"(Diversity is) always a big issue, whether I was in my vice president job or head of the athletic department," Woodward said. "Diversity is very important and key to the way we run our department."

When asked if he will interview a minority candidate, Woodward said, "We usually do, but we're going to hire the best person available -- and there will likely be minority candidates in that pool."

After then-athletic director Todd Turner hired Tia Jackson to coach the women's basketball team in April 2007, Washington was the only Division I program in the country to have black coaches at the helm of the football and men's and women's basketball teams.

That is likely to change despite Woodward's comments. The projected lists of candidates do not include any minorities, but Woodward has been completely silent about what that list really looks like.

Willingham can only hope the number of minority head coaches goes up -- both from a personal standpoint and from a cultural one.

"We've battled this for some time -- the issue of African-American coaches at this level," Willingham said. "And at no point has it been where it should be. The representation is far short of where it should be, and that hurts all of us.

"When you have talented people that have the ability to help us do the things we'd like to do better, you are missing that. And that's a shame."

Willingham, who is the president of the American Football Coaches Association, said something like the NFL's "Rooney Rule" would be beneficial.

Established in 2003, the Rooney Rule -- named after Pittsburgh Steelers owner and head of the league's diversity committee Dan Rooney -- requires that every hiring franchise interview at least one minority candidate.

"That would be the first step, and it would be a lot harder to do at the collegiate level, but there are ways to do it," Willingham said. "All you are asking is for the opportunity to sit down at the table, and that benefits us all."

The NCAA, however, has no authority to impose a standard hiring procedure.

"The NCAA does not hire coaches," said Charlotte Westerhaus, NCAA vice president of diversity and inclusion.

"The athletic directors are responsible for hiring and thus responsible for the hiring process and results."

Black Coaches Association executive coach director Floyd Keith said, "In the world of college football, the facts and statistics reflect an unmistakable bias and a systemic problem that has yet to be fixed. My deep concern is, 'Why are the college football hiring practices out of sync?' "

Source Link:- http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/huskies/387783_husk14.html

Put Me In Coach

It’s a hot, sunny day in Los Angeles, but I’m sitting in air conditioning-crazy Starbucks, freezing my frijoles off and looking for answers. Since my life coach hasn’t shown up yet, I look elsewhere — to the LA Times astrology pages.

Pisces: You may think you know why someone does what he does, but you can’t be sure. Therefore, stay within your own boundaries and concern yourself with your own interests.

Ah, my own interests — this is what I spoke about with Doug Miller, my life coach, the last (and first) time we met up. I’m seeing him for two reasons: as research for this story on life coaches and to see if said life coach can help me figure out my next step.

For the last few years I have cobbled together a career as a freelance journalist and copywriter. Now, at 37, I am looking to make a change after hitting a tipping point — getting work was taking way too much work. So I am considering going back to school to train for yet another gig which would allow me to sit around and ask people questions (psychotherapist) or maybe a full-time writing-related position (a fun prospect, with the exception of having to wear pants to work).

To be honest, I have never in my life been more excited to meet with an unlicensed professional.

But before we get to that, some backstory on the whole life coaching thing. The concept grew out of executive coaching, in which pros worked with CEOs, teaching them how to achieve their business goals. Now decades old, executive coaching is an accepted part of the business world, and Ivy League schools like Columbia have training programs for aspiring business coaches.

Much like therapists, different life coaches employ different styles, but most pull from a mix of disciplines ranging from psychology and sociology to career counseling and mentorship. Apparently, cherry-picking the best bits of diverse philosophies isn’t just for Unitarians.

In addition to business coaches and general life coaches, there are also dating coaches to help you net Mr. or Ms. Right, wellness coaches to help you articulate and stick to health goals, and spiritual coaches to help you find your higher purpose. Without a governing body or regulations and standards, the coaching world is the Wild West of self-help: hang a shingle, corral some clients and you’re ready to rock someone’s world.

Source Link:- http://www.commongroundmag.com/2008/11/tunein0811.html