Learning

Chatting with Sara Mathew, CEO of D&B

March 6, 2012 By Kerrie Phipps Leave a Comment

One of the most inspiring speakers at the Neuroleadership Summit in San Francisco in November was Sara Mathew, CEO of D&B, (Dun & Bradstreet). I was fortunate to spend some time with Sara later, and was further inspired by our conversation, I asked her if we could turn the camera on for a few minutes to share the insights with you here.

I loved her comments on the journey to success – “dare to dream, dream big, never stop dreaming” and “take risks… focus on solutions” and especially “focus on being a learning leader”. This was particularly relevant as Sara had openly shared her failings, learnings and decisions that have made her the outstanding leader she is today.

Leadership development is a result of personal growth; a commitment to learning, an awareness of your thoughts, feelings, reactions and responses, and the conversations you have.

If you’re keen to develop your leadership, drop me a line!

You might have specific outcomes in mind, (if not, we’ll get to that) or you might just want what Peter’s got!

“What I’ve achieved due to coaching with Kerrie Phipps is beyond my wildest dreams. I’m now a lot more effective and organised with my time and at the peak of my game.” Peter Hamilton, Engineer

Filed Under: Entrepreneurs, Learning, Self Awareness, Videos Tagged With: D&B, Dun & Bradstreet, kerrie phipps, neuroleadership, Neuroleadership Summit, Sara Mathew

Inspiring Coaching Conversations today…

April 14, 2011 By Kerrie Phipps 2 Comments

Gosh I’m inspired. I’ve had several very profound conversations today that have really put a bounce in my step and I feel like I’m breathing with bigger lungs, if that makes sense. This is really great, because I’ve had a virus that’s really knocked my energy out of me for far too long, and it’s the love of life that gets me out of bed, not physical energy…

So – the bounce back conversations…

Firstly, one of my clients had a few very nice insights that will change her outcomes significantly; one being the realisation that doing the hard things first really works for her and she just needs to refocus on that, which eliminates procrastination, cutting out stress, unproductive pressure and an incomplete work day/week. Another was the insight that while she’s been focused on how someone else in her world wasn’t taking responsibility, she’s missed seeing the ways that she can take responsibility, for her actions and attitudes. Beautiful.

Another lady who came for her 3rd session is already so transformed she’s beside herself with excitement. It’s such a stunning shift I am SO moved. She’s realised that she was losing hours (literally half a day) everyday just looking for things, as she was living in such clutter, and her external world was merely a reflection of her internal world. Complete chaos. In the past 10 days since session 2, she hasn’t wasted ANY time looking for glasses, keys, wallet or paperwork, because her thinking is now clear. I love this!

The changes here have occurred not just because these women are on a coaching journey with me, but because they came to me really ready for change, and with willingness to be completely honest, not just with me, but with themselves. It actually takes courage, as it’s not easy to truly assess the current situation and it’s impacts when it’s not nice – but on the other side of those insights are the gems that unfold into enormous creativity and freedom to pursue your dreams – and be your true, fabulous self. As my dear friend Dr Ray Andrews says “You can’t leave where you’re at, until you OWN where you’re at.” Oh so true.

Where are you at my friend? What’s great, what’s not, and what are you ready to leave behind. It’s one thing to have an inspiring goal, but you often have to look at what you’ve been dragging around with you that you can let go of. This woman who’s leaving the chaos behind is actually leaving behind her excuses and negativity. It’s all too easy to say “this is just how I am/have always been…” but when you’re really ready for change, you’ll amaze yourself. If you don’t believe me, call me and let’s talk about what’s possible. (secret… what’s possible is actually ANYTHING… which is another insight, and another whole conversation – at least!)

Cheering you on,

Kerrie

PS. Another exciting conversation happened serendipitously as I saw one of my first coaching clients in a cafe downtown, so we lunched and I heard about his project in Africa that he’s developing. Very exciting stuff – and if you know me well, you know Africa has captured my heart and I’m increasing my support of many difference-makers there in the coming days to give orphans, abducted child-soldiers and oppressed women a chance to transform their lives and communities.

Filed Under: Coaching, Learning, Self Awareness Tagged With: Coaching, insights, inspiring, inspiring conversations, transformation

A confessional blog…

November 17, 2010 By Kerrie Phipps Leave a Comment

I’ve realised (a while ago) that making my blog about customer service isn’t working for me. My heart wasn’t in it as much as 100 Days of Gratitude. I love great customer service, but gratitude is a much easier, uncluttered subject. I’ve realised (oh, again and again) how I complicate things.

Great customer service is something to celebrate, but after I see examples of less than great customer service I see the learning there and want to write about that too. I announced when I began the 100 days of Great Customer Service that I was committed to only celebrating the good (and great) here. There is great learning in the poor customer service stories – the “all it would have taken” flow of ideas, but that’s a different conversation.

I do complicate things. I don’t mean to. I did say this was a confessional blog hey…

I want things perfect. I want to do things perfectly, because I love and honour people, the people in my world, and you deserve the best. For some reason I decided that I have to have a photo in every blog… but I could JUST WRITE sometimes!!! I could just get on with it.

I’ve made up a whole lot of rules about how things should be. So I’m going to list some of the rules I’ve made up and challenge them.

Feel free to do this for yourself too… I’m on this journey of self discovery, finding limitations and areas for growth, and I invite you to come along for your own ride.

Rule No. 1. I should blog consistently on the same topic. (ie. 100 Days of Great Customer Service)
What!! Just because I did that for 100 Days of Gratitude, does not mean I have to do it now. It’s blocking me from sharing other thoughts.
Rule No. 2. I should post a photo with every blog.
What!!! I may not have the appropriate pic, or the time to upload it, or get it from Lyndon’s computer, if that’s where it’s been saved to…
Rule No. 3. A blog should be a certain length… Well says who?
Rule No. 4. I have to have everything “just so” or it won’t be inspiring or useful to anyone. Ok, well that’s ridiculous too. Who defines perfect or “just so”?
Rule No. 5. I commit to doing what I said I would do. Yes. I will hold to this as much as humanly possible. I am human after all. I knew this rule, which is why I didn’t commit to blogging every day, having experienced 100 consecutive days of blogging last year, I knew that I didn’t want to take on a commitment of that size this year. I do have other things to do!

I’m sure there are plenty more rules floating around in my head, so if I see them trying to slip by, I’ll grab them and have a conversation.

So where are we at now? Well I’m free to blog about anything I’m thinking about – as long as it might be useful or inspiring to others – and I can’t always know that – so I just put my heart out there and trust that someone will be blessed. Now I just need to let myself write! I think of things everyday that I want to share, in books, magazines, newsletter and blogs, so I want to get on with it.

I have too many amazing things going on that haven’t been blogged about (but mostly have appeared at least for a while on facebook) so now that I’m “unstuck”… please accept my apology – and stay tuned

Cheering you on,

Kerrie

Filed Under: Learning, Self Awareness Tagged With: 100 days, 100 days of gratitude, confession, confessional, Customer Service, Self Awareness

New Year thoughts and BEST recipe!

January 12, 2010 By Kerrie Phipps Leave a Comment

New habits for a New Year?

It doesn’t have to be a new year, but it can be a good time to adjust your course, get rid of a few habits or clutter, and add what you need or want. I’ve been spending the first 2 weeks of 2010 at my childhood home, my parents farm, sleeping in my old bedroom, and cooking up a storm (well almost) in my mothers kitchen. She’s having a love/hate relationship with the results – it’s gluten-free, which suits us both, but she thinks she’s putting on weight while I’m here. I think it’s a Christmas/New Year concern. I’ll be back at the gym next week, so I’m not concerned, but one of the recipes is a must-share, and one that I’ll be taking into the year with me as it’s SO easy, and healthy too!

Actually, when it comes to cooking – “easy” is the priority for me. So the winner is…

from the book “4 Ingredients GLUTEN FREE”

Date Loaf

(a recipe from Mrs Frasier, Raceview QLD)

375g packet of dates

2 tsp instant coffee in 1 Cup boiling water

1 Cup GF self-raising flour

Preheat oven to 160. mix coffee & water, pour over dates and soak overnight. stir in GF flour. pour mixture into a baking paper lined loaf tin, sprinkle with flaked almonds (I used shredded coconut when I ran out of almonds) and bake for 45 mins.

Optional (and I recommend…) serve warm spread with butter.

And while your making the most of the new year, it doesn’t hurt to reflect on the old one – what gems are you bringing with you from 2009? I spent some time going through the questions in my previous blog – and I must say! I ask some good – and challenging questions! It took me a few days, but my journal is loaded with insights, and some great ideas I have to implement at the right time. That’s something else I noticed – I have some great goals, but not the best sense of timing. I want to do everything NOW, but do see the sense in pacing myself, as well as listening to my husband who has an amazing innate sense of timing. More insights for another blog – go and try this recipe! I love that it’s 2 minutes effort after dinner, and about 5 minutes in the morning!

Have a great week!

Love Kerrie

Filed Under: Hints & tips, Learning Tagged With: date loaf, gluten free recipe, new year, recipe

A different perspective on Celebrating…

December 23, 2009 By Kerrie Phipps 2 Comments

…when you’re dealing with disappointment when everyone else is celebrating.

Sometimes the year finishes all too soon, with goals incomplete, and disappointments scattered around you like the gift-wrapping after Christmas lunch.

If you’re familiar with my writing or speaking, you know I’m passionate about celebrating. Reflecting on accomplishments and celebrating learning is incredibly valuable. It’s not always easy, and even more important at these times. I know many people who are completing 2009 with a sense of “Thank God this year is over! I don’t want to think about it again.”

It may have been a really, really tough year, so let’s have a look at what there is to celebrate… come with me on a journey of discovery. (It’s been a tough year for me, but the outcomes are amazing!)

Did you do something for the first time this year?
Did you meet someone new who opened your eyes to new ideas or opportunities?
Did you step outside your comfort zone? What do you now do, or know, that was once outside of your reach?
Did you set a goal that scared you because it was ‘bigger than ever’? How did you go? Whether you reached it yet or not, what did you learn?
What do you now have, or what do you know as a result of tackling this goal?
How did you handle the challenges that came up this year? (Never mind if it wasn’t as well as you would’ve liked, but did you handle things better than a previous time)

What would the most encouraging, sincere friend be saying to you if you discussed the above with them?

It’s so important to find opportunities to give yourself a pat on the back. It increases your awareness, expands your creativity and your confidence, and can even increase your energy – how useful is that at this time of year!
If you keep noticing the things you aren’t so proud of, acknowledge them and put them aside… you might need to remind yourself that it’s time to silence the inner critic and see what else is there that the critic has been ignoring.

Personally, I’m really looking forward to a week to reflect on this year, which feels a bit of a haze at the moment as I’m more fatigued than I’ve been for a long time, so I’m going to start by going through my calendar month by month, noting the events.
I know I will realise that I’ve traveled extensively, met amazing people each time that I am grateful to have connected with. Some have been dear friends for a long time, some are new connections.
I know I will find many new experiences, and moments where I jumped out of the comfort zone which resulted in great learning and more opportunities.
I know I’ll find moments where I surprised myself, and insights that will jump off the pages and excite and inspire me.
I know I’ll be grateful for each coaching journey I’ve taken with clients and in awe of the difference it’s made for them. Actually reading their testimonials speaks volumes to me…

Are you seeing how this could look for you?

What will you do to celebrate your accomplishments – and the fact that you’ve arrived at the end of this year? See yourself crossing the finish line… You made it!!! Well done! Start with the simple things – pen and paper – and go for it!!!

Now go and have a real celebration, no need to put a smile on – the happiness and confidence will come from the inside out!

Cheering you on,
Kerrie

PS. Please leave a comment with your thoughts, especially if you’d like to be notified when I actually do my list (I know it’s going to take a while!) – I’m happy to share some of it with anyone who would find it useful to see an example.

Filed Under: Celebrating, Christmas, Coaching, Hints & tips, Learning, Self Awareness Tagged With: accomplishments, Celebrating, disappointment, goals, inner critic, Learning, missed goals

100 Days of Gratitude – Day 47

August 12, 2009 By Kerrie Phipps Leave a Comment

How to make a silver lining So grateful today for some very exciting mail… especially for the sender! Julie Woods, That Blind Woman, from New Zealand, launched her book recently, and popped a couple in the mail to me. How exciting! The book covers Julie’s first 10 years of blindness, and explores her learning along the way.

Julie has featured in our newsletter a few times – so this book will come as no surprise to many of my readers. I’m grateful to Julie for not only sharing the journey of the book with me, as her coach, and now her friend, but I’m grateful that Julie is who she is. One page will have you laughing hysterically, the next will smack you in the face with profound insights that could just change your life. One of the key ways Julie has impacted my life is by her incredibly creative approach to problem-solving, and the way she explores the learning in everything she does. She’s one incredibly inspiring woman with a story worth sharing!