Similar Challenges Across Diverse Businesses at Harvard University

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    I had the pleasure and honor to participate in Harvard University: Division of Continuing Education professional development program in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This intensive program with a certificate in Leadership Coaching Strategies with both eye-opening and empowering.

    Our class of 40 passionate business people, spanned the globe. People came from 15 countries and across the United States to experience and learn from this prestigious academic program. Industry professionals hailed from Sweden, Dubai, France, Mexico, China, Philippines, Australia, Amsterdam, Venezuela and more. I had the privilege of being paired with Aqeel, Director of Finance and Treasury for Capital Markets Authority in Kuwait. He is every bit a successful businessman, and also person who finds passion and joy in what he does. We were often paired together during break out clusters. 

    One of the things that struck me as unique about this program was the tremendous low risk to the students. Our professors encouraged transparency in this academic setting that included much discussion and learning from each other. There were so many diverse industries represented amongst our group, and yet, so many of our challenges were similar. How do we strategically empower those in business? How do we show empathy to those with in our networks who are struggling professionally or personally? How do our personalities affect negatively or positively with others in the workplace?

    Aqeel and others shared so candidly, without judgment of others. Everyone was there to learn and be a student, not the teacher. There was little concern about looking silly, stress about transparency about losing lofty titles, getting promotions, etc. This program was about being real, and gleaning from other people’s experiences and learning additional skills in leadership coaching from the best and the brightest at Harvard.

    We also learned some new amazing skills related new research being done on the neurochemistry of positive communications, the benefits of external executive coaching for growing businesses and explored case studies related to performance management, measuring and improving the effectiveness of employees across all levels of management. 

    Performance coaching is such an art form as well as a science. Agreeing on the purpose, inquiring and advocating on behalf of the coachee, identifying and reviewing next steps, and follow-up actions to be taken all contribute to a positive and balanced coaching experience.

    If you are looking for greater freedom and an outside perspective to gaining more freedom in life and business, I welcome you to contact me directly. Answers are a phone call or a cup of coffee away! Contact me at: kristen@kristenhertzog.com or call/text 717-201-4893.

    Categories: Inspiration, Uncategorized

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