Now that’s not fun! My Peer Coaching experience.
A little over a month ago my good friend lost his job. Ten years with the company and he received a two week severance package. Woo-Hoo!! (Sarcasm)
Trying to be of help I shared with him something I had been wanting to try…………Peer Coaching. I learned about it while reading some of Marshall Goldsmith’s work. I thought it would help as he moves forward to his next job adventure.
Here is basically the way it works:
At the end of each day (Mon-Fri) we get on the phone and ask each other 20 questions. We record one another’s answers. It’s a quick phone call. No judgments. Positive affirmations. A little bit of encouragement and support.
At the end of the week we each receive a summary of those responses. I designed my own 20 questions (they have been tweaked and changed in the last month); he designed his. Some are business; others are personal. We also decided to ask one another a tough question at the end of each day regarding our responses.
For me it’s been a Recess (a break form my normal work style) and a great accountability tool. Design 20 questions that will keep me on track to personal, relationship, health, and business success. During the day if I find myself suffering from The Bright Shiny Object Syndrome I also have a place I can refer to; to get me grounded; my 20 questions.
So how has it gone?
OUCH!
My life has been like an airplane in a holding pattern for some time now; circling the airport and getting me dizzy. I’ve been dealing with the health issues of a family member and it has consumed more time than I ever would have imagined. In reviewing my summary responses from the last month there are a lot of what might be considered “negative” responses or responses where I continue to take no action.
My immediate thought: This is not fun at all. This is stupid. Run! Get the hell out of this arrangement as fast as possible.
My second thought was that of ego: My good friend, the one who thinks I have it all together, is going to see how “the real Rich” is not so together.
But then I realized I wrote my latest book, got it edited and will be releasing it shortly.
Diary of the Happiest Employee on Earth: 52 Provoking Thoughts for Creating a Great Workplace will be available mid to late October.
So while I didn’t pedal as many miles on my bike as I would have liked; nor spent the time I would have hoped on program and product development I can celebrate the accomplishment of writing the book (and being a good relative).
Is Peer Coaching for you? Is this a way to keep employees and volunteers engaged and excited? Is it a way to boost employee morale?
What do you have to lose?
But more importantly how are you going to celebrate the successes? After all, what started out as me helping a friend has offered amazing insight into my own world.
Is it 5:00 yet?
RICH DIGIROLAMO works with organizations to create happier work environments, strengthen work teams, design new programs, and create better relationships with customers and peers.
