Camcom Coaching

Introduction to FMMGs

Patricia Comolet — 2012-04-04T14:48:29Z

Out of ideas? Out of energy? Out of clear direction? FMMGs bring brainstorming, synergy and structure to take you where you want to be!

What is an FMMG?

I'm excited to be introducing Facilitated Master Mind Groups to bring the power of collective intelligence to my clients. Whether you are working on an individual objective, organizational challenge or a team project harnessing the energy and resources which comes from a group dynamic can help you get where you want to be.

Adding coaching to a group process brings 3 distinct advantages:

The framework is guided and maintained by an experienced moderator keeping the group on track.
Powerful coaching questions and tools challenge and support participants from a Meta posture - outside of the system looking in.
A group coaching process is a highly cost effective opportunity bringing you coaching, group synergy and regularity in your reflection and actions over a significant time period allowing you to make the changes necessary to get where you really want to be.

How does it work?

The Beginning

We start out with a full day's workshop to establish the ground rules, get to know the group's members, explore the objectives. This is a day of creativity and stretching – pushing back self-imposed limits and looking beyond to what might be. Interactive, the direction for the day emerges from within the group to respond directly to the needs and visions of the members. This first day is billed separately and it is only at the end of this workshop that participants commit to joining the Master Mind Group for the rest of the roughly 4 month period.

The Heart of the Matter

Once launched the group gets down to the nitty-gritty of moving towards their objectives through 4 months with one 3 hour workshop and a teleconference at bi-monthly intervals. This is where you clarify the vision of your goals, seek out new angles and options, and determine the actions you choose to put into place before the next meeting. Those actions are SMART (specific, measurable, ambitious, realistic and timed) and written into your Progress Log. The group holds everyone else accountable in a respectful but clear manner. FMMGs are for people and teams who really want to achieve their goals!

And now what?

The group process closes with another full day workshop to evaluate and celebrate your progress as well as defining and constructing what comes next. A FMMG is a tool to take you where you want to be. Once well on the way new visions will emerge to be captured and integrated into your goals.

Want to know more?

Facilitated Master Mind Groups can respond to all types of challenges. If you're interested in exploring how an FMMG might serve your purposes send me an email at: pc@camcomcoaching.com I would be happy to set up a phone/Skype call to learn more about how we might work together.

100. Agenda

Patricia Comolet — 2011-11-09T22:15:19Z

Our agenda is coming soon.. - 5000. Agenda

100. References

Patricia Comolet — 2009-06-03T09:18:07Z

A partial list of my clients.

HSBC
LOBARY
ESSILOR
WORLD EXECUTIVES
IGLOO France
Multiple Individuals

300. Deontology

Patricia Comolet — 2009-06-03T09:12:56Z

What does deontology signify? That I work according to the Code of Ethics of the International Coach Federation of which I am a member…

What does deontology signify?

That I work according to the Code of Ethics of the International Coach Federation of which I am a member.
That all client exchanges are in strict professional confidentiality.
That I conduct my business in a professional manner; respectful of and in the sole interest of my client.
In plain terms deontology is an ethical, moral manner of functioning.

For details on the charter of ethics to which I adhere: the ICF Code of Ethics

200. Education and affiliation

Patricia Comolet — 2009-06-03T09:08:25Z

In combination with my international experience my studies and professional training contribute to the ongoing development of my professional skills.

2009 : Co-president for the Ile de France branch of the International Coach Federation, France
Co-leader of the Intercultural/Expat Special Interest Group (SIG) for ICF
Member of the European Women's Professional Network (EWPN)
2008 : Certified ACC (Associate Certified Coach) with the International Coach Federation (ICF)
2007 : Coach specific Training with Alain Cardon, « Powerful Questions and Creating Contracts »
2006 : Member of the International Coach Federation
2005/2006: “Personal and Professional Coaching”; Coach-Up Institute, Paris. Certified in 2006
2005 : « Emotional Intelligence » ; Odyssée Motion, Paris.
2001 : Wine studies ; Certified Wine Technician ; CDDI, Paris.
1985 : Certified Tropical Nursing Program ; Institut de Médecine Tropicale Prince Léopold in Anvers, Belgium.
1973 : Licensed Practical Nurse studies at the Ann Arbor Practical Nurse Education Center ; licensed by the State of Michigan, USA in March 1973

100. Who am I?

Patricia Comolet — 2009-06-03T09:05:04Z

The combination of my natural talents, my coaching training and my personal and professional experience are the key elements of my coaching success.

Who am I? More than a CV

Born and raised in the United States I was brought up with a « can do » philosophy, where anything is possible if I am willing to put in the required effort; where there is always something to learn and while we're at it we might as well enjoy ourselves. It included the notion of choosing a career which responds to my natural talents and which I enjoy doing. A career that makes getting up in the morning something I can look forward to.

These principles led me to my first career as a nurse, specialised in surgical technology. Working in an operating room requires precision, team work, and great tolerance to stress. It is a job which demands being alert and totally present; keeping one's wits about one.

Combined with a natural curiosity and sense of adventure, my job allowed me to travel and work around the world including Holland, Switzerland, Israel, Sudan, India, Germany and France.

It's been a journey rich in cultures and learning experiences. Whether I was running an orthopaedic clinic during the Tigrien war or consulting on maternal child health clinics in the slums of Bombay each day brought its lessons.

The impact of language and communication, which goes way beyond just the words to nuances and connotations, taught me the importance of expressing and deciphering intention. The influence of non-verbal communication became crystal clear and has since served me well in guiding my interactions with others. And finally the notion of “active listening” has improved my ability to connect with others and helped me to avoid misunderstandings.

The projects I worked on in Africa and India were conditioned by existing constraints and outright obstacles. Obstacles which were often undefined and related to strong cultural differences. Learning to decipher those differences and put them to work has been a corner stone of my coaching practice. I have learned to do my best with the situation as it is, not to expect to understand everything, not to be able to explain everything, nor to be able to control everything. In two words I have learned to take things as they are and to move forward towards my goal.

My next project was my family as we moved to Germany with two small children in tow. Learning how to help them adapt to new customs, traditions and interpretations while doing so myself proved quite a challenge. I began to understand and use the notion of a cultural framework. It was a real pleasure to live in a culture where stay at home moms were not only tolerated but were the norm. In today's world not all women have it so easy!

Our last transfer brought us to France and new projects. As the children acquired their autonomy I headed back to work. After studying oenology I launched a Wine Club and enjoyed 4 years of plunging into a fascinating world. From the mechanics of wine tasting through a 'tour de France' covering all of France's vineyards, I taught everything you might want to learn about wine in France, including visits to many of the regions most interesting wine makers.

But serious introspection and feedback from friends and professionals led me to recognise that it was the human factor which motivated me. My coaching training confirmed that this was the career for me. Accompanying people through their own transitions to help them define clear objectives, realise their own potential and direct their energy to create their world is what I do best. It allows me to put my natural skills to work:

Active listening to get to the root of the issue
The ability to define and structure objectives
Open-mindedness to new ideas and alternative options
Emotional intelligence to help build self-confidence and resistance to stress
Pragmatism to lead my clients to effective action plans which bring results

These skills, my coaching training and my own experience with continual change are the key elements I use to contribute to my clients success as they navigate their own transitions.

100. Professional transitions

Patricia Comolet — 2009-06-03T08:53:49Z

Develop your career

using your skills, your values and your personal motivations to find the right career path for you;
adapting to new positions in your career.

Coaching brings much needed structure and support to the difficult process of career change and in career development as you rise to new responsibilities.

When you meet someone their first question is usually " What do you do?" So what do you do? How is what you spend the majority of your life doing the expression of who you are? How does it use your uniqueness, your talents? How is it aligned with your values and expectations? Do you enjoy what you do? Does it bring you personal growth and satisfaction? Do you look forward to getting up in the morning? It might be time to look at where you're headed…

My methodology:

Beyond finding a job: developing your professional project

Getting from where you are today to where you want to be professionally requires a defined method, energy and persistence. It is a moment of transition, of exploration and of choices. Launching out alone on such a journey can prove overwhelming. Individual or group coaching can provide the structure and reassurance needed as well as the push often required to realise your dreams.

I will help you to:

Create a clear inventory of your skills and natural talents
Incorporate your principles and your dreams
Define clear objectives – short, medium and long term goals.
Build a plan of action which is “SMART”: Specific, Measurable, Ambitious, and Realistic within a clear Time frame.
Adapt and implement your strategy in the market place
And… celebrate your success!

Years of working with executives as they develop their professional projects have helped me to create a structured process where coaching techniques contribute an innovative edge.

Climbing the ladder – adapting to the altitude

Been promoted? Great! But moving up the ladder in your career development isn't always easy. Becoming a managing director of a service you have been a part of requires changing your approach to your team, your objectives and the subtle social strata to which you belong. A successful transition depends on what we call “soft-skills”:

Building reassuring connections with your team
Active listening to decipher implicit meaning and intention
Using constructive criticism to move your team forward, etc.

I can help you rise to the challenges of your new position leaving you secure in your choices and in your ability to lead your team in the right direction. You, your team and your results will all profit from your success!

100. Personal transitions

Patricia Comolet — 2009-06-03T08:42:15Z

Using life's transitions as a turning point towards goals which will bring you more satisfaction and energy, whether it be getting back into the work force, retiring or dealing with empty nest syndrome…

Young - the world lies ahead of you – where to go, what to do?
Moving on - changing jobs, changing partners, kids moving out – go beyond coping and get yourself a life.
At last you've made it – retirement is looming – are you checking out or getting started?

Life: “the force that makes or keeps something alive; the vivifying or quickening principle. Resilience, elasticity…” Webster's College Dictionary. The very definition of life implies animation, evolution and change; a continual spiral of change.

Understanding and using the process of transition, the mental adaptation to the inevitable changes in our lives, can enhance dramatically the way you live your life and the energy you feel. Coaching can simplify your experience and support you in the choices which will affect the quality of every day ahead of you.

So what do you really want?

To see clearly, to move on, to discover, to make the most of what you have and where you are, to feel the power which is yours!

I love working with individuals determined to tap into and realise their own potential. While each client is unique, the desire to succeed and find fulfilment is universal. I can help you make the most of what your current situation is by clarifying what you want to achieve – sorting out your conflicting desires so that you can decide what you really want within the context of your reality.

100. Intercultural transitions

Patricia Comolet — 2009-06-03T08:33:56Z

“Having lived and worked in 7 countries on 4 continents, I have learned the importance of managing the intercultural dimension on a professional and personal level. Structuring these skills with a solid coaching program I can help you get the most out of the expatriate challenges which lie ahead.

Intercultural differences: a source of potential

Even with an adventuresome spirit we can find ourselves at a loss when moving to an unknown environment. Welcome to culture shock! We are often unconscious of the role our own culture plays in our daily lives, as we are unprepared to incorporate a new culture into our way of getting things done. I propose to accompany you towards a rewarding encounter with this unknown entity to help you discover all the wealth of opportunity that lies within a multicultural experience.

My methodology:

Making international mobility easy

You're asking yourself these questions:

How do I get my new colleagues to respect me? How do I find the right tone to establish my authority? How can I communicate when I don't speak the language well? How can I manage well in this different culture?

To succeed in your new position, coaching before your departure and during your early days will bring you:

The successful adaptation of your management style
An awareness of the culture specific essentials
The development of cognitive behaviours which facilitate integration
The strength which comes from your self confidence

Becoming aware of your own culture and its impact on your behaviour while positioning your objectives in your host culture will give you a clear vision of how to succeed in achieving the results you want. Knowing how to use your management skills to leverage cultural differences will allow you to increase your own added-value.

The family move: creating the adventure

You're asking yourself these questions:

How can I get my kids to accept this transfer? How can I help them leave their friends and find new ones? My spouse has to quit her/his job and leave our aging parents behind, how can I help her/him to cope?

An executive on the move is totally absorbed by the challenges of his new position and has little availability for his family. But it is proven that a multitude of failed international transfers are due to the family's inability to adapt to their move. Working together with the whole family to prepare for the transfer can help to align expectations and create an adventure out of what might be otherwise considered as an imposition and source of resistance. Ongoing coaching during the arrival period can bring reassurance in dealing with unexpected issues to help each and every member rise to the challenge of integrating into their new environment. Coaching by phone maintains continuity despite the long distances.

And don't forget the move back! Often ignored, the move back home can prove to be as challenging as the move out – a situation frequently ignored in corporate planning. You'll have changed more than you might think, acquired new habits with a broader outlook on life. People back home feel the difference. Coaching during your return can facilitate a satisfying re-entry and orient your expectations to minimise the impact of reverse culture shock that many people experience upon returning home.

Short term intercultural missions

You're asking yourself these questions:

We don't have much time and the pressure is high – how can we move quickly in such a “slow” culture? They always say “yes” but nothing happens – what can I do? I'd like to feel like a member of my team but my new colleagues are so distant – how can I cross this divide?

You or your team are leaving for a short mission in a foreign country to set up an outsourcing station, do some research, or intervene in a specific limited context. Coaching can help you prepare to be effective the minute you land by increasing your awareness of culture specific meanings and behaviours which will impact your stay. You will arrive with the needed flexibility and self-assurance to meet the challenges while concentrating on your professional objectives. Coaching by phone during the mission creates a reassuring link to help you face unexpected situations and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Working with a multicultural team

You're asking yourself these questions:

Everyone here is talking and no one is listening - how can we move forward? They are incredibly slow and they don't say anything – how can I get anything done? All I want to do is give them their instructions and know they'll assume their responsibilities – it works at home, why not here?

Happy to find yourself in a multicultural team? Now how to go about getting the most of each culture's strengths to insure that your team's work is worth more than just the sum of each individual's contributions?

Understanding the impact of your own culture
Creating an awareness of other cultures and their strengths
Understanding the intention behind the communication
Team building using each individual's strengths and weaknesses

300. Error sending message

Patricia Comolet — 2009-06-02T11:46:55Z

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