Spice Pages & Best of the Season!

I am captured by the sight of star anise resting on top of whole allspice, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods and whole cloves. Mulling Spice! I think of the gallon jug of mulled wine still under the kitchen sink and know that this 100 gram package is not necessary – in fact not even needed but the aroma guides my hand and I purchase the package. I tell myself “I will find a use for it during the upcoming holiday month.” I may simmer it slowly on the stove while I write cards and letters to family and friends. I may simmer it as I reflect on the past year and the work that we have accomplished to develop women’s leadership.

The new By-Donation approach to services for women leaders has been well received since its launch in late August of this year. We are making a difference.

Canada has slid 13 places to number 31 out of 130 countries on 2008 the global "gender gap index." The biggest contributor to our slide is the low levels of women’s political participation in public office. I offer a special “thank you” to all the women leaders who have supported the Terrill Welch – A Woman behind Women pledge goal for Joy’s List through the By-Donation approach to leadership services launched in September 2008. We have achieved 118% success, and there is still another $200 to be posted!

The second supported charity, Pedder Bay Residents Society, listed on the By-Donation website page has received over $1,000 in just three months. Though the residents of this community lost their Supreme Court case, their homes, and their community itself – they have made a huge contribution to bringing the issue about how the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act (“consumer protection legislation”) does not protect homeowners who rent in manufactured home parks. Your donations have helped Pedder Bay Residents pay for the prohibitive costs of bringing this issue to the public’s attention.

Together we are stretching our wings. This year has seen Terrill Welch- A Woman behind Women receive greater International exposure through Gaia and World Leadership Day. I am honoured to continue as the World Leadership Day Ambassador for Canada and I look forward to celebrating this year’s theme “beyond the surface” on March 20, 2009. I am thankful for the technology that allows me to work with women leaders globally.

Together we are taking centre stage. Workshops such as Discover How to Lead with Brilliance were over-subscribed, speaking engagements like Ditch the Feminine Super Heroes for Authenticity were well-received and Vision Practice Retreat participants left asking for more of such programs. Already, a request has been made for a provincial presentation -- Untapped ROE – increase women in senior management -- in May 2009. Plus a waitlist is started for those interested in the second vision retreat, to be offered at the end of February. Each time I engage an audience about the strength of women’s leadership I am reminded how we can make a difference.

Together we are preparing to shape our future. Individual leadership coaching clients have their New Year’s brag ready and their January leadership coaching sessions are scheduled. I want share a comment from a senior woman leader that warms my heart more than any mulled wine could ever hope to:

If I haven't told you enough - I am enjoying this process SO much and have found it incredibly helpful in reducing my stress, improving my productivity and raising my self awareness and confidence! What a gift that has been, and I sincerely thank you for bringing that into my life at a very important time. I look forward to what's ahead in our work together.

So in all these ways, I celebrate with you. I celebrate and share a special Gernot Katzer’s Spice Pages with you at http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/index.html . Spices have a long global and noble history – just like women’s leadership!

Enjoy! And thank you for your part in this year’s success. Thank you to those who have purchased services, made donations, provided technical and professional support, spread the word through your networks, and sent notes of appreciations. I truly believe that together we can do anything and I am looking forward to the upcoming year as we find new and creative ways of working together.

Best of the holiday season!

Terrill Welch
Executive Leadership Coach

© 2008 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

Still point mine - yours - ours

Magnificent leadership comes from inside – a still point.

It is space between...

such as when night is not yet day.

Shapes begin to distinguish themselves…

Terrill Welch
Executive Leadership Coach

Canada slides! - Global Gender Gap Report 2008

I was saddened to read that Canada has slid 13 places to number 31 out of 130 countries on 2008 the global "gender gap index." However, the US gains four places and for the first time is ahead of Canada. Norway holds the number one position, followed by Finland (2), SwedenIceland (4). The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2008 provides an (3) and index looking at the gap between men and women in areas such as income, education, health and political participation.

Here is a link to a video interview with co-author of the report Saadia Zahidi http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=tWk7vA2_Pu4

Much work still to do! And much to celebrate as the countries with the greatest gaps make the most gains.

Terrill Welch

Executive Leadership Coach

© 2008 Terrill Welch

Your New Year's Brag

A story about creating a New Year’s Brag in November – includes By-Donation approach offer

What if you already had a plan in motion when people started talking about New Year resolutions on New Years Eve?

What if you could say: “New Year’s resolutions? Ha! I’m so together that I made my resolutions back in November …. Not only that! I’ve had December off to just think about what I wanted to do in January!”

And then…

“What do you mean?” your friends, partners, co-workers and boss all ask at once. You hold forth with noble satisfaction about the leadership coach you are working with; the goals you have set; and, the results you have already achieved.

“Well, what about us? Can we do the same?” They ask hopefully.

You reply “oh no, Terrill’s offer was so successful that she has a waitlist for her by-donation services”

“Well just what is it that you purchased anyway?” they ask.

“Okay: I wanted to work with Terrill so that I could get a fresh view on what direction to take with my vision. I was having trouble figuring out what was meaningful to me and what I had to offer the world next.”

They seemed puzzled, and pick at the lint on their slacks while asking “So what does this person Terrill do for you?”

You laugh and say “she makes me work hard at discovering how I am getting in my own way, and I LOVE IT! I give her a call once a week for 30- 45 minutes. We tear up the ground of my self-doubt so that I can do what I really want to do. Then we find strategic places to plant new seeds.”

“Is anything growing?” your boss may ask, with an attempt at humour.

“Oh, yes” you reply blandly. “I have an interview January 6^th for a VP position – similar to the one you said I wasn’t ready for yet. They have already offered me the job. I am just making sure it is a fit for me before I decide.”

Your family and friends smile quietly and your boss wonders how she is going to gracefully make a counter offer.

Of course this story is about imagining what might be possible.

Some parts of it are already true, though: I am making a very special offer for Individual Leadership Coaching for the first 10 women who accept before November 14, 2008. That gives you 10 days and counting to decide if you are up to creating ”a brag” for New Year’s in November instead of a resolution in January.

What is the special offer?

New Year’s Brag sessions begin the third week of November, and include a 60-90 minute Individual Leadership Coaching telephone session to set your direction for the New Year; followed by 12 weekly 30-45 minute sessions beginning in January 2009.

And the best part is that this offer is now part of the new By-Donation approach for my leadership services. Believe it or not, you decide what you will pay and 50% of that will go to a charity that I support.

To learn more go to http://www.awomanbehindwomen.ca/bydonation.htm

Favorite quotes from client’s Individual Coaching experiences.

“I found working with Terrill

was like being bathed

in a warm glow of light and energy –

light for clarity

and energy for getting on with things.”

“Quickly and intuitively,

Terrill tapped into my core strengths.”

“To put it simply,

Terrill believes in me - unconditionally.”

“When we have someone acting

as the wind beneath our wings,

we're happier aren't we?

More confident,

more hopeful and excited about the future.”

If this offer is irresistible, what do you do next?

Email me at tawelch@shaw.ca before November 14, 2008 and say you want to book your New Year’s Brag session. We will then work out a time and focus that will best meet your needs. Note: Because I am having an extremely busy fall, the sooner you book your sessions, the more flexibility there will in scheduling.

I am on your team. Let’s go for it!

Best regards,

Terrill

Elite executive leadership services at a price you can afford.

Find out how it works at http://www.awomanbehindwomen.ca/bydonation.htm

By-Donation makes a difference every time.

© 2008 Terrill Welch

When we have a vision how can we live it?

This question can be the most difficult to answer, but consider these points. A vision not lived remains only a dream. When we are living our vision, it is part of our daily practice. We are reminded every day what we are working towards. Sometimes our efforts become disconnected from our vision. We lose our direction. We get distracted. Then we lose the vision itself, and over time we are left with unfulfilled dreams. Many people have bitter regrets over lost dreams and missed opportunities. They feel they have failed - often saying “if only I had….” This is sad! Though all our dreams will not be fulfilled, I have discovered that there are three basic steps to ensure we are living our vision.

Step one: Declare your vision. Write it down. Post it where you can see it everyday. Tell it to others! In the telling you will reinforce your commitment. Plus, you allow others the opportunity to support you in curious and unexpected ways - I am sure this is how the most outrageous-beyond-belief visions come to pass.

Step two: Be persistent. Visions require sustained effort over long periods of time. Break your vision down into manageable portions. Make a commitment to no more than three specific actions that you will take towards living your vision. Decide when and how you will act. Be clear about the intent behind each action. This allows you flexibility. If necessary, you can adjust your commitment to better reach your intended goal. Again, write your commitments down, post them and tell others. If you have identified more than three actions, choose just three to get started; as those first three are completed, choose three more.

Step three: Know success. To know your success is to be able to name it! Imagine what living your vision will be like. How will you know? What will it feel like? What will it look like? What will it be like? What are you hearing? What are you doing? Where are you? Who are you talking to? Who is supporting you (mentors, coach, friends, family, colleagues, employer, fans, or/and investors)? Write a sentence or two that captures your answers to these questions. Post the answers up there with your vision and your three actions.

warmly,

Terrill

© 2008 Terrill Welch