Are you in the right seat?
For those of you who have been or are current clients, you know how often I repeat this quote from the book Good to Great, “Get the right people on the right seats on the bus.” Published in 2001, that message still resonates. It is essential for leaders and managers because people make the difference in any organization, and finding the right people, especially today, can be challenging.
While I had never imagined expanding my business, I see a gap. Years ago,
Professional Coaching (such as Executive, Transition, Communication, Business, etc.)
was centered around senior leaders; there has been a big push over the last 10-15 to democratize coaching to impact younger professionals. Younger potential clients in their 20s and 30s are now aggressively seeking support, and I want to support them as best I can.
Long story short, I am thrilled to introduce you to my new partner, Megan Siemers-
Livingston. With almost 20 years serving students at three different high education
institutions, Megan has been guiding young professionals and students in leadership development, student advocacy, and team-building skills. She will focus on that cohort.
Wish us luck!
Worth the share
Megan wrote today’s article so you can hear from her directly. She is passionate about and committed to achieving excellence and continued growth.
“Never Give Up, Never Give In” was more than just a slogan on the back of my practice jersey as a 10th grader on the varsity volleyball team; it was a philosophy that led us to a State Championship and has guided my coaching career.
Today, as I step into my role as a transitions coach for young professionals, I bring this same ethos of hard work, commitment, and resilience. Reflecting on my journey, I realize that a winning culture is not about choosing victory over values but integrating,
listening, and learning how to win together. Young adults face unique challenges and opportunities in a world rich with information and technology. The Walton Family Foundation and Gallup have shown that while many from Generation Z are optimistic about their future, they face uncertainties in navigating their ambitions and well-being. The research reveals that while 79% of Gen Zers are optimistic about their futures, only about half feel well-prepared to tackle what lies ahead. This gap highlights a critical area where coaching can make a difference. My philosophy, ‘Never Give Up, Never Give In,’ is particularly resonant with the aspirations and needs of young professionals today. It’s
not just about pushing through challenges but also about fostering mental resilience and a proactive mindset.
My approach is tailored to co-coaching our young adults and equipping them with tools to succeed. Earl Nightingale once said, “We become what we think about most of the time.” I aim to foster a positive and growth-oriented environment where what we think
and say daily shapes us into relentless pursuers of excellence. As we look forward to a season of growth and achievement, we will embody the spirit of never giving up and never giving in, pushing past limits, and setting new benchmarks for success.
To learn more about Megan, check out her profile on our new site or read more about her coaching focus, Navigating Transition with Clarity and Confidence.
If you know someone who would benefit from working with Megan, we would love to hear from you.
#wisewords
“First Who … Then What. We expected that good-to-great leaders would begin by setting a new vision and strategy. We found instead that they first got the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats—and then they figured out where to drive it. The old adage “People are your most important asset” turns out to be wrong. People are not your most important asset. The right people are.”
Jim Collins from the book Good to Great
And Finally...
Last week, I presented to a sold-out audience at the South Carolina Association for Talent Development about the Power of Storytelling. Here’s a picture of me with Chandella Anderson, the incoming president of SC ATD.
One of the other speakers, Dan Black, spoke about various AI-powered tools we should be aware of, including AIPRM.com, Perplexity.ai, RE.ai, Canva, Mural, Grammarly, and Runway. I love several of the ones he listed and am anxious to dig into the others, especially Perplexity.com.
Dan’s two favorite questions: What do I want to do? And Is there an app for that? It is worth considering as we learn to utilize AI to work smarter, not harder.
Have a great week,
Mary Jo