Bruce D Schneider's Blog

Once a Coach, Always a Coach

At iPEC, we believe that coaches should walk the talk. That means that they should live the process they espouse, and not just from time to time… as a lifestyle. We train people to BE coaches, not just to DO coaching.

Think about this: if you were a therapist and you walked into your video store and began a conversation with a familiar clerk, would you do therapy? Of course not. If you were a carpenter would you shore up the counters before you left? Not a chance. But if you were a Core Energy Coach (iPEC’s coaching system), you’d be a coach 24/7, and with everyone in your life. In other words, coaching, being a system that allows you to fully be who you are, forms a framework for every conversation or interaction you ever have.

After people take our training, I often hear them remark that they aren’t sure how they survived in their lives without the Core Energy Coaching training. The skills, tools, techniques, and methodology are great, but more important is the entire philosophical approach that grounds people in a way to see themselves, the world around them, and the people in their world.

I’ve been a therapist, consultant, mentor, sports coach, and more, and yet, all those were things I did. A coach is who I am. And a coach is who I will always be.

Why are Coaching Skills Key to a Leader’s Success In Today’s World?

In a way, it's funny, that the most important aspect of leadership is great communication, and it's the least practiced. Leaders, especially those in organizations, are usually experts at their product or service, but lack the true ability to motivate and inspire others to greatness. That lack of ability doesn't come from a lack of desire, but a lack of coaching skills.

Coaching helps leaders inspire and motivate others in a variety of ways, including: communicating effectively and efficiently, meaning, clearly getting across their message in the shortest period of time; increasing buy-in for a particular project, task, or goal; breaking resistance; creating accountability and the desire to report successes, not problems; developing rapport and relationships; helping to create plans that make sense for all participants; and much, much, more.

And it's not just the coaching skills that are needed, but the framework, philosophy, and structure behind the skills.

Without making this too much of a commercial, that's why a lot of leaders are now participating in iPEC's Life Potential's Training. This course gives them the foundation not just to coach, but to BE a coach, which makes them even more effective in what they do and how they do it. What's interesting to me is not just that many leaders are taking this training, but that these people are finally realizing the gap between where they are and where they want to be. It’s very exciting to know that so many people are looking to improve their personal and professional lives, and believe that coaching is a great way to do that.

The original question was related to success, and I want to say something about that: Success is defined by each person, and regardless of the definition, taking a coach-approach at on the job or in the house will ensure that your success is imminent.

                                          

iPEC Coaching
Bruce D Schneider, Founder
www.IPECcoaching.com

We all lead, either by choice or default.The question isn't whether or not you are a leader, it's how well you lead. Energy Leadership: Transforming Your Workplace and Your Life From the Core.

Why did you create iPEC?

People often ask me why I founded the iPEC organization, and my answer usually surprises them, as I had no intention of creating a coaching school. In fact, all I wanted was a group of coaches to help me continue my mission of raising world consciousness, one person at a time.

Like many entrepreneurs, I knew that I couldn’t and shouldn't try to do everything and be everything to everyone. I knew that I had an amazing coaching process (the Core Energy Coaching process), that was getting tremendous success for clients, much better than the successes I was able to help people get through therapy, consulting, or mentoring. It took me decades to create the Core Energy Coaching process, and knowing that I had something very, very special, I wanted to expand it, and yet, I was only one person.

So my idea was to send prospective coaches to, at that time, one of the few coach training programs available, and then, I'd add my process to the "basics" and move forward with my dream team--a powerful coaching group.

To make a very long story short, all my research told me none of the existing training programs met my standards. Those school's "basics" were not nearly enough, and so even though I originally planned to augment an existing training for those I wanted to become part of my team, I soon realized that 90% of what I wanted them to learn was missing. So I decided to formalize my system and create iPEC as a coach training program. That was about 10 years ago, and, as most people now know, iPEC is recognized as one of, if not, the world's most prestigious coaching programs.

iPEC took on a life of its own and exploded around the country, not really allowing me the time to develop the group I wanted. Since graduating thousands of coaches, my initial dream has come as least partially true, though, as so many gifted people from all walks of life are now using the Core Energy Coaching process to share their unique gifts and make a huge difference in the world on their own. However, recently, we've come full circle, as we’re now getting a lot of work for graduates, which is what I had intended from the beginning.

Even though we train people to know everything they need to know to run a successful coaching business on their own, my current goal is still the same as my original goal - to work directly with hundreds of iPEC coaches as partners; to share, grow, and lead people to greatness and higher consciousness… in the process.

Perhaps the Most Important Coaching Skill for Life...

If it's not the most important aspect of communication, listening certainly comes close. We all know how to speak, but few know how to really listen. Deep listening is at the heart of the Core Energy Coaching process, and it's a skill that really takes some knowledge, practice, and time to master. Without proper training, I've found that most people don't listen well, if at all. If they aren't speaking, then when someone else is talking, they are just thinking about what they are going to say next and waiting for an opening.

Just think about what it would do for you if you were a master at listening. For one thing, you'd learn a lot. I always say that I learn a lot more when someone other than me is talking! Also, when someone feels heard by you, the connection will deepen, and you will become a better leader, partner, spouse, friend, or parent.

And, how would you like for someone to really listen to you?  To hear what you’re saying and understand more about who you are?  I’m sure you’ve heard that one of the best ways to see change in others is to model that change yourself.  Well, that’s what this is about. You learn to listen, and then those you listen to will listen to you.

Our Life Potentials Training and Coaching Training programs provide a ton of skills, theories, and processes. But the most important thing we teach is that the most essential coaching skill for effective communication, and perhaps for life, is the ability to listen, deeply.

Start today by focusing on being fully present when someone is speaking, and clearing your mind of distracting thoughts.  You’ll be surprised at what you hear. 

Try it – and I’d love to hear your experiences.  Share them by posting a comment here. I promise, I’ll listen!

Why Leaders Need to Have Coaching Skills...

There are two types of leaders, those who create inspiration and those who create perspiration. Just because someone is a leader doesn't mean he or she is an effective leader. I've coached many business owners, and for the most part, I've found that their people skills are just awful. I find that quite amazing, considering that each one of the people I coached were really in the "people" business. They worked with, and sold to, other people, and not knowing how to communicate effectively was the major factor working against these leaders.

So why didn't they know how to connect, honor, motivate, and inspire others? Well, it's simple. No one taught them how. They were taught how to become proficient in a skill, product, or service, but not how to deal with others. What these business owners needed were coaching skills – but up until recently, there was no trade training available that taught “everyday” people how to coach others in their lives.

Several of my clients came to iPEC’s coach training program, and found that their entire world changed. The relationships in their company improved - they didn't keep losing great people and they enjoyed working with their staff each day. Their relationships with their clients improved. In fact, due to the personal nature of what coaching promotes, their clients became fans, and referred other clients. But most important were the changes in their relationships at home, and the growth within themselves.
I always knew that coaching skills were important for coaches – but until seeing the significant changes that my clients made in their lives and businesses, I hadn’t fully grasped the importance of these skills for every one of us. And that’s how the idea for Life Potentials Training was conceived. Though not everyone has the desire to become a professional coach, coaching skills are essential for everyone!

Be it service, product, or the business of raising a family, you too will improve what you do by learning how to coach and therefore, becoming an inspiring leader. You see, the question isn't whether or not you're a leader…it's how well you lead. 

"I Am the River" Inspirational Video -- a Must See

Debuted as part of iPEC's new Life Potentials Training, "I Am the River" is an inspirational video that shows that we all have a choice as to how we approach life. Watch, be inspired, remember who you truly are, and don't wait to bring your potential to life.

At one time or another, we each wonder who we really are. This video will help you remember.

Click here to view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8YrhfAXC64

Edison’s failure

Failure is a judgment about how things were “supposed” to go. Having a fear of failure is an assumption that, miraculously, one can create something without any trial and effort.

Edison created thousands of successful ways NOT to make a light bulb until one worked. He never gave up and neither should you. The thing Edison lacked was fear of failure, or, for that matter, a belief in failure!

When thinking of a task or challenge, try to shift the fear to excitement in knowing that the only possible failure is not trying.

Bruce D Schneider, Founder
iPEC Coach Training
www.IPECcoaching.com

We all lead, either by choice or default.The question isn't whether or not you are a leader, it's how well you lead. Newly released! Energy Leadership: Transforming Your Workplace and Your Life From the Core.

Formula 409

I’ll bet very few people know that the name of the product Formula 409 was derived from the number of attempts to get it to work correctly. That’s right, it was the 409^th attempt!

People who are the most successful in life-mastery, and, therefore, the most fulfilled, are those who passionately approach everything they do in life. The rewards are not just financial, but more about a feeling of purpose. This feeling of purpose is one of our greatest available gifts in this world.

No matter what you are doing, do it with as much passion as you can muster, and who knows what you might accomplish? Perhaps we’ll be seeing from one of you Formula 410!

iPEC Coaching
Bruce D Schneider, President
www.IPECcoaching.com

We all lead, either by choice or default.The question isn't whether or not you are a leader, it's how well you lead. Newly released! Energy Leadership: Transforming Your Workplace and Your Life From the Core.

Why would anyone hire a coach...

Here's why. This is an excerpt of an actual letter that was sent to one of iPEC Coaching's graduate professional certified coaches, David Herman. It's always wonderful to hear our coach's successes, and this is typical of what people experience when working with a great coach:

David,

Our one-on-one coaching sessions have dramatically transformed my perception of my business and my relationship. Your direction brings coaching to a whole new level. At the beginning, we would talk about my complaints and now we have converted that wasted energy into creation.

You have encouraged me to deal with issues that I thought were unimportant, only to realize it was preventing me from moving forward. Your guidance has transformed my company and my relationships into being extraordinary.

I greatly appreciate our relationship, and I am excited for each opportunity to create possibilities for my life and myself. I look forward to helping you share your knowledge, technology, and dedication to business owners like me.

Warm Regards,

NH

Welcome!

Welcome to Bruce D Schneider's and iPEC Coaching's blog.

We at iPEC truly enjoy sharing our philosophies, mission, and purpose with you, as well as get to know you better. Feel free to post your thoughts, questions, ideas, and stories to any of the categories listed, as well as suggest any categories or topics you'd like to discuss. We look forward to connecting with you. Enjoy Your Journey!

Bruce D Schneider, founder, iPEC Coaching, www.iPECcoaching.com