Blog

The Power of Focusing on What Matters: Journey Through Change

Whether it’s the changing seasons, a room makeover, or a personal transformation, reinvention holds universal appeal. We’re drawn to stories of change because they reveal not just the “what,” but the “why” and “how.” Recently, I had the privilege of helping a client navigate significant workplace changes. While change can be invigorating—like a home renovation or the crisp transition to fall—it can also feel overwhelming when it’s unexpected or beyond our control.

This client faced unanticipated leadership changes and shifting priorities that upended their sense of stability. Initially, they felt powerless, overwhelmed by external factors they couldn’t influence. Coaching became the foundation for focusing on what mattered most. We honed in on their internal locus of control: aligning priorities, building resilience, and taking small, intentional steps to lead their team through uncertainty.

Like the best transformations, this shift started with a clear vision and purposeful action. By reframing challenges as opportunities, the client inspired their team to stay connected, collaborative, and aligned with shared goals.

As we prepare for seasons of change, focusing on what we can control makes all the difference. If you’re ready to transform how you lead through change, let’s connect—I’d love to share how coaching can support your journey.

Reflection on: Tapping into the Wisdom in the Room

Over the years, I’ve come to understand that no matter how skilled or experienced an individual is, the best work is rarely a solo effort. Some of the most rewarding projects I’ve been part of had one thing in common: a deep reliance on the collective wisdom of the people in the room. It’s been through collaboration that I’ve seen good ideas become great, and solid work evolve into something exceptional.

Lessons from Embracing Collaboration

To be clear, collaboration isn’t just about dividing tasks or having more hands on deck. It’s about creating an environment where every person can bring their unique perspective to the table—whether that’s a fresh take on a strategy, deep expertise in a particular area, or simply the ability to ask the right questions at the right time.

Key Reflections on Tapping into Collective Wisdom

  1. Creating Space for Open Dialogue
    • I’ve found that some of the best ideas emerge when people feel truly heard. Early in my career, I realized how vital it is to create space where team members can share their insights openly. Whether it’s a formal meeting or a casual conversation, encouraging dialogue without fear of judgment can lead to breakthroughs that might otherwise be missed.
  2. Feedback as a Continuous Process
    • There was a time when I thought feedback was something you sought at the end of a project. Consider the value of embedding feedback throughout the process. Regular check-ins allow for course corrections, and they often reveal insights that can strengthen the final product in ways that couldn’t have been anticipated.
  3. Recognizing and Leveraging Expertise
    • One of the most rewarding parts of working with others is realizing the depth of expertise within the team. There’s a richness in diversity of thought and experience; sometimes the best contribution a leader can make is to step back and let someone else’s expertise lead. It’s this shared leadership that raises the bar on the final product.

A Collective Effort Yields the Best Results

If there’s one thing I’ve seen work again and again, it’s that collaboration isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for creating the best possible work product. By truly valuing the perspectives and expertise of those around us, we unlock a level of quality and innovation that we could never reach on our own. The next time you’re faced with a challenge, ask yourself: How can I tap into the wisdom of the room to elevate this work?

Balancing Fun and Focus: Leading with a Light Touch in Summer

Summer brings longer days, warmer weather, and a general sense of relaxation. For leaders, this seasonal shift poses a unique challenge: how to maintain productivity while embracing the light-heartedness that summer naturally encourages. Here are a couple of ways to strike the right balance between fun and focus during these months.

Adapt your Leadership Style to the Season

Summer is a great time to adapt your leadership style to better meet the needs of your team. Leading with a light touch doesn’t mean being less effective; it means being attuned to the season’s dynamics and adjusting your approach.

Be responsive to the changing needs of your team, whether that involves adjusting priorities, being flexible with deadlines, or offering additional support. Use the slower pace of summer for personal reflection and growth, seeking feedback from your team and identifying areas for improvement.

Plan now for the Post-Summer Transition

Maintain momentum by stepping into summer with a plan for the transition back to a more typical work routine. While you decide whether to share it with the team, having that plan in place will help you adjust over the course of the summer and keep progress moving forward.

Embrace Flexibility with a Purpose

Flexibility is key during summer, but it should be purpose-driven. The goal is to show trust in your team’s ability to manage their time while ensuring that productivity remains high. If you already offer flexible work hours or remote work options, talk with your team about how their lives change during the summer. Do they have children out of school, but who don’t have camp yet? Is their boat in the water? What would help them make the summer days more manageable and enjoyable, while they are achieving their professional objectives?

Clear communication and setting expectations are essential for this flexibility to work, empowering your team to enjoy a better work-life balance while staying focused on their objectives.

Infuse Fun into the Workday

Incorporating fun into the workday can boost morale and strengthen team bonds. Simple activities like outdoor team lunches or virtual coffee breaks can break up the day and foster stronger connections. Additionally, introducing friendly competitions or challenges, such as a summer fitness challenge, can energize your team while aligning with your goals.

The key is to ensure that these activities are inclusive and low-pressure. Participation should be voluntary, and the emphasis should be on enjoyment rather than competition. By creating opportunities for fun, you maintain a positive atmosphere, which can enhance productivity and focus.

Set Clear Goals and Celebrate Achievements

While summer is often seen as a time for relaxation, it’s crucial to keep your team’s momentum up instead of re-engaging or re-starting next quarter. Ask them what objectives they would meet over the summer and help them stage manageable tasks. This helps maintain momentum and provides a sense of accomplishment as each milestone is reached.

Regularly acknowledge the progress made and discuss upcoming goals in team meetings or through weekly updates. Celebrating achievements is particularly important during the summer.

Encourage Vacation and Downtime

Encouraging your team to take time off is vital during summer. Well-rested team members are more productive and engaged. Support your team in planning their vacations and ensure that workloads are managed so that everyone can fully disconnect while away.

Model this behavior by taking time off yourself. When you demonstrate the importance of downtime, it reinforces the message that self-care is integral to productivity.

Maintain Open Communication

Establish a clear communication plan, such as regular team meetings or daily check-ins, to keep everyone connected.

Be transparent about your availability and encourage your team to do the same. In addition to formal communication channels, maintain informal touchpoints to keep the sense of connection strong within the team.

Implementing your Post-Summer Transition Plan

Reintroduce structure before it’s implemented. So your team members are clear about upcoming changes. Reinforce goals and priorities for the remainder of the year to ensure everyone is aligned and focused.

Consider organizing a team event to mark the end of summer and set the stage for the new season. By acknowledging the seasonal shift and preparing for it, you can help your team transition smoothly and maintain their motivation.

Conclusion

Leading with a light touch in summer is about finding the balance between fun and focus. By embracing flexibility, infusing fun into the workday, setting clear goals, encouraging downtime, maintaining open communication, adapting your leadership style, and planning for the post-summer transition, you can create an environment where your team thrives both personally and professionally.

Most Workshops Don’t Work

How We Make Them Worth your While

Workshops and connection are the most effective way to build teams, enhance skills, solve problems. And most of us have been to engaging, fun workshops that don’t actually meet those marks. Why do many of these workshops fall short of expectations?

First, there’s the issue of too much theory and not enough practical output. Many workshops are heavy on concepts and light on application. While understanding theories is important, employees need to know how to apply these ideas in real-world scenarios. Workshops that don’t include hands-on activities or practical exercises often leave participants feeling unprepared. Balancing theory with actionable steps that can be immediately integrated into daily work is key.

Then, there’s the lack of accountability. Often, participants are engaged and enthusiastic during the workshop, but once it’s over, there’s no follow-up. Without a structured plan to apply what they’ve learned, the knowledge gained quickly fades away. It’s crucial to establish clear goals and regular check-ins after the workshop to ensure the lessons are implemented and progress is tracked.

We tackle these common pitfalls with a unique approach. First, we implement a robust follow-up system with clear, measurable goals and regular check-ins to ensure workshop skills are put into practice.

Our workshops are highly interactive, focusing on practical application through real-life scenarios, role-playing, and hands-on activities. We customize our programs to address your organization’s specific needs, making the content relevant and impactful.

We use various engaging methods, such as group discussions, breakout sessions, interactive technology, and collaborative projects, to keep participants motivated.

By addressing accountability and practicality while tailoring our approach to your needs, Pond View ensures our workshops are transformative and drive real results. Ready to transform your team’s potential into performance? Contact us today to learn more.

Summer Reading

Summer is the perfect time to relax, recharge, and gain fresh perspectives. Our minds have a chance to wander and make connections, making it a great time to learn something new.

Here’s a curated list of books that have helped many change the way they approach work. So, grab your sunglasses and find a cozy spot, because these books are sure to inspire and empower you.

Recently Published Gems

1. “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown (2018)

Brown delves into the human side of leadership, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, courage, and empathy in creating strong, innovative teams.

2. “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek (2017)

Sinek explores how leaders can create a culture of trust and cooperation, drawing on examples from successful organizations and real-life stories.

3. “The Infinite Game” by Simon Sinek (2019)

This book challenges leaders to adopt an infinite mindset, focusing on long-term success and sustainability rather than short-term gains.

4. “No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention” by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer (2020)

Hastings and Meyer provide an inside look at Netflix’s unique corporate culture, which emphasizes freedom and responsibility to drive innovation.

5. “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know” by Adam Grant (2021)

Grant encourages leaders to embrace the art of rethinking, learning to question assumptions and stay adaptable in a rapidly changing world.

Timeless Classics

1. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey (1989)

Covey’s seminal work provides a principle-centered approach to personal and professional effectiveness, emphasizing habits that lead to success and fulfillment.

2. “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins (2001)

Collins identifies key characteristics that differentiate truly great companies from good ones, offering insights into effective leadership and organizational transformation.

3. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie (1936)

Carnegie’s classic offers timeless advice on building strong relationships, effective communication, and influencing others positively.

4. “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink (2009)

Pink explores the science of motivation, arguing that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the true drivers of high performance and satisfaction.

Conclusion

This summer, make the most of your open mind, and enhance your leadership skills with these insightful reads. Happy reading!


Feel free to share your favorite leadership books or your thoughts on any of the listed ones in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other to lead with excellence and empathy!

The Power of Coaching: Overcoming Self-Doubt

In today’s competitive world, self-doubt can hinder personal and professional success. Coaching helps individuals identify and challenge their limiting beliefs, transforming negative self-talk into a positive and empowering mindset. This shift in perspective is crucial for building confidence and overcoming feelings of inadequacy.

Coaching also emphasizes setting realistic, achievable goals. By breaking down aspirations into manageable steps and celebrating small victories, individuals build momentum and motivation. Additionally, coaches encourage the development of supportive networks, providing guidance, encouragement, and validation, which are essential for reducing self-doubt and fostering a sense of belonging.

Real-life success stories highlight the transformative impact of coaching. For example, I recently worked with ‘David’*, an entrepreneur who doubted his ability to scale his business. Through coaching, David developed a clear strategy, focused on achievable milestones, and built a support network of fellow entrepreneurs. This process not only helped him overcome his self-doubt but also led to significant growth and success for his business.

*Examples in this blog post have been anonymized and are used with the clients’ permission.

The Power of Coaching: Enabling Leadership

In today’s dynamic business environment, effective leadership is crucial. If we’ve met, you’ve likely heard “The shadow of the leader is long”. So many new to leadership don’t recognize the impact an action, direction, or even an offhand remark can make. And when they become aware, the sheer responsibility can feel overwhelming.

Coaching serves as a personalized tool to help leaders develop self-awareness, enhance emotional intelligence, and refine their strategic thinking. By working with a coach, leaders gain valuable feedback, improve their communication skills, and build resilience, enabling them to navigate uncertainties with confidence.

Real-life success stories highlight the transformative impact of coaching. PVC clients like ‘Jane’, who developed effective communication strategies, resulting in greater alignment and performance within her division. Or ‘John’, who refined his strategic thinking, resulting in his team forecasting the next challenge, and putting mitigation plans in place, instead of reacting and spending resources unexpectedly.

These examples illustrate how coaching can lead to personal and organizational growth. By investing in coaching, you can unlock your full potential, inspire your teams, and create lasting positive change within your organization. My wish for you is that you embrace the power of coaching to elevate your leadership skills and achieve excellence.