Newberry Coaching & Consulting LLC
Women. Leadership. Results.
May 14, 2013 A theme has recently emerged with several of my clients. Some have expressed frustration when one of their direct reports misses a meeting that they consider to be important. I have also heard about this from the other vantage point, from my clients who have opted out of meetings like this when [...]
May 1, 2013 Last week, I facilitated a leadership program in California. One of the speakers talked about how easily we can fall into the trap of moving from one thing to the next without taking the time to think about or enjoy the journey to get there. As I have coached high performers over [...]
April 18, 2013 At one time or another, we have all hit major bumps in the road –challenging us in ways we haven’t been before and testing our resilience. This week, I participated in a meeting where I noticed how two people communicated very differently about the same difficult situation. Both people knew there was [...]
March 28, 2013 This week, I’d like to express my gratitude to my father who played a big role in making me the person I am today. He lost his battle with pulmonary fibrosis this Tuesday night after a difficult ten days. One of the most important lessons I learned from him was to never [...]
March 7, 2013 Through my work with leaders over the years, I have found that focusing on the 3 P’s: Purpose, Presence, and Power can significantly affect their ability to impact the business and their careers. This is why we integrate the 3 P’s into all of our services and products. So, today, check to [...]
February 22, 2013 When you participate in events with professionals who hold a much higher or lower position than you, does it make you uncomfortable? As someone not yet in the executive ranks, do you wonder how you can make a positive impression on that senior leader who barely knows you? Or, as a senior [...]
February 14, 2013 Today, I want to challenge you to put the power of self-appreciation into play. It’s something people often overlook but can change how you “show up” and participate in everything you do. And, as you know, it’s hard to help others see the value you bring when you don’t have this information [...]
February 8, 2013 The past two weeks have been a good reminder for me about several key leadership principles as I have been in the thick of finalizing three new products with my team. As I moved through the process with them, I realized I needed to keep the following in mind to ensure a [...]
February 1, 2013 Today I had a conversation with Debra, a high performing woman who is so frustrated with her boss that she is ready to find another job. So, I asked her, “What would have to happen for you to recommit to your current company?” This simple question helped her start moving from frustration [...]
January 25, 2013 Last week I had the opportunity to be a panelist alongside executives from Texas Health Resources, Methodist Healthcare System and Conifer Health Solutions on the topic of creating high performing teams. As I prepared, I found myself making a list of a few key things any leader should think about: 1. Connecting [...]
January 15, 2013 The importance of peer relationships keeps emerging as a theme with my clients, so I knew it was time to write an article on the topic. Strong leaders recognize that their leadership must extend beyond managing up and down; they must also manage effectively across the organization. Although it may not be [...]
December 27, 2012 The new year is almost here. Before I sign off, I want to encourage you to reflect about 2012 so you can approach 2013 with Purpose, Presence, and Power – the three things I consistently focus on with my clients that get results. By paying attention to these areas, you will show [...]
December 19, 2012 Last week, I had an opportunity to facilitate a four-day program with a global company that is investing heavily in developing leaders. Through the course of the week, we had many thought-provoking discussions, many of them about success. So, today, I want to ask, “When was the last time you stopped to [...]
December 5, 2012 The past few weeks have been full of introspection as I moderated two panels with senior executives and was on one myself. Through all of this I found myself offering the following advice the other day. I hope you find it valuable. Identify what you are currently tolerating in your life (negative [...]
November 20, 2012 In the flurry of day-to-day life, we can easily overlook what’s right in front of us – valuable lessons we’ve learned, people who have touched our lives and opportunities to express gratitude. So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, take a moment to consider the following questions: 1. How have you been “tested” [...]
November 15, 2012 One thing I know from my experience leading Performance Management & Career Planning at Deloitte is that most people dislike giving feedback. And it can be equally challenging on the receiving end if you disagree with someone’s point of view or don’t understand what their feedback really means. Despite the challenges, feedback [...]
November 8, 2012 I get asked all the time about how to build a strong network of advocates. Advocates are people with power and influence who can give you important exposure, shield you from negative consequences and criticism and recommend you for new positions or visible assignments. If you aren’t paying attention to building these [...]
October 31, 2012 Every day you shape how others view your leadership, through how you communicate. You send messages directly and indirectly all the time. Although this sounds really obvious, most people don’t take time to think about how their communication style affects their credibility. The biggest opportunities to improve how we communicate typically exist [...]
October 29, 2012 In the past month I have had the opportunity to speak, teach, coach, and meet several accomplished leaders. So, today I want to share a few words of wisdom that come from these recent interactions. I hope they will serve as important reminders for you. “Don’t take things personally.” Remember that someone [...]
October 19, 2012 As you know, I returned from ICF Conference in London two weeks ago. Now that I have had a chance to think about the experience a bit more, I realized how much change coaching can affect. Yes, I know it sounds weird coming from an executive coach. But as I sat in [...]
October 10, 2012 I just returned from four days at the ICF Conference in London. Although it rained a lot, on two mornings I went for a run along the banks of the River Thames. I deliberately left my iPod at the hotel so I could clear my head and soak in the experience. As [...]
September 18, 2012 I coach my clients all the time on making the highest and best use of their talent and skills and focusing on the Right Work (the three things that will have the biggest business impact). Two weeks ago, when I was out facilitating a leadership development program for one of the Big [...]
September 12, 2012 Whether you are forming a new team for a specific project or leading an existing team, there are some very practical things you can do as a leader to develop a high-performing team. Here are four simple strategies to consider. 1. Toot your own horns In the early stages, create a forum [...]
August 28, 2012 This week, I would like you to take a few minutes to assess yourself against the Ten Leadership Levers below. Each of these can dramatically impact your performance. So, take two minutes to see how you’re doing. As you read through the levers above, what did you notice? Remember that this is [...]
August 23, 2012 I do a lot of speaking about building a network of powerful advocates, something that women often underestimate. When you really take time to think about it, who you surround yourself with makes a huge difference. Today I want you to take a few minutes to think about YOUR network and how [...]
August 15, 2012 Most of us are so busy each day, going from one thing to the next and shifting across the many roles we play: colleagues, leaders, mentors, or parents. In the midst of it all, we may overlook the opportunities right in front of us. So, this week, I would like you to [...]
July 31, 2012 I had an interesting conversation with someone who also frequently coaches high performing women leaders. We talked about the fact that there are several key areas that women often overlook but can lead to stronger performance regardless of gender. So, today I want to share three of the most critical levers: Being [...]
July 27, 2012 I get asked time and again about how I help high performing leaders get even better results. Despite each client’s specific goals, I always coach them on three things: Purpose, Presence, and Power, because it consistently takes their performance and leadership to new heights. So, today I want to explain the 3 [...]
July 26, 2012 Last week, I spoke to one of my former colleagues from Deloitte and we got on the topic of little things that people do that diminish their effectiveness. It’s amazing how seemingly small things can make a big impression. Take a look at the list below to see if any of these [...]
July 20, 2012 A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hear from several leaders at the national Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) Conference through panel discussions, keynote speeches, and breakout sessions. This year’s theme was “Aspire Higher.” Their wisdom and reminders prompted me to ask you these three questions this week: 1. Are you [...]
July 18, 2012 Last week I had a conversation with one of my female executive clients about the topic of risk taking as a leadership competency. I would venture to say that most of you probably don’t sit around contemplating whether or not you are a risk taker and what that really means, especially if [...]
June 28, 2012 After recently facilitating a couple of workshops based on the book, Strategically Standing Out by Marcus Buckingham, I continue to notice that high performers often take their own strengths, or the impact of their strengths, for granted. If you consider your strengths as a mere reflection of “who you are” rather than [...]
June 22, 2012 I just got back from a spectacular five-day hiking and camping trip to the Grand Canyon. Although my trip started off a little rough as I twisted my ankle on the first day trekking down into the Canyon, our amazing guide, Chris, wrapped it so well that I didn’t miss a beat. [...]
June 15, 2012 Last week, I heard Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman speak in an intimate setting at a United Way Tocqueville event. As a young girl relocating from England to Texas in the late 1970’s, I became a huge Dallas Cowboys fan. So, it was exciting to hear personal stories from two people that [...]
June 7, 2012 At this year’s sold-out national Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) Conference in Dallas, I had the opportunity to hear David Novak, CEO of Yum! Brands and author of Taking People with You, speak. He shared several insights he has gained throughout his years at PepsiCo and Yum! Brands, some of which he learned [...]
April 19, 2012 Today I had an interesting conversation with an HR leader. She called me because her company wants to hire an executive coach for one of their leaders, and she was concerned about how the leader might “take it.” We both realize that people have different perspectives about executive coaching based on what [...]
April 11, 2012 Last week I had an interesting lunch conversation with a successful female business leader here in Dallas. We discussed how difficult it can be for some women to voice a difference of opinion in a way that will be well-received (i.e., not too assertive). On the other hand, saying nothing can have [...]
March 29, 2012 This week I am speaking on the topic of tasteful self-promotion twice. I have to say that this is truly a timeless topic because most women (and some men) struggle with how to do it. I even have an entire module dedicated to it in my WOW! Women On the Way to [...]
March 20, 2012 I have to give my sister credit for inspiring this week’s article. She just wrote a book on successful working women, the challenges they face in making marriage work, and how to overcome them. As we talked about common themes that we see in our respective worlds working with high performing women, [...]
March 8, 2012 As someone who has coached many high performing women, I was asked to participate on a panel discussion at the Kellogg Career Symposium to give women tips on how to manage their careers. Although I can’t do the topics full justice here, several are covered in my new self-paced coaching program, WOW! [...]
February 29, 2012 When you’re a high performer, you may have a relentless drive for results. Your expectations of yourself may be much higher than what others expect of you and failure is usually not an option. Although you have a remarkable ability to get results, you may fall into some traps that limit your [...]
February 8, 2012 My son recently learned to tie his shoelaces. I distinctly recall that intense look on his face as he focused so hard on each step in the process, to make sure he did it all just right. I’m sure you haven’t had to put that level of energy and focus into tying [...]
February 6, 2012 Since I just completed my new self-paced coaching program, which is all about peak performance, I can’t get the topic off my mind. As you know there are several things that come into play when you want to really step up your game and take your performance to the next level. I [...]
January 25, 2012 Every day we engage with people from all walks of life in our professional and personal lives. Each interaction results in an exchange of energy, information, and ideas – positive and negative. Through the following three questions, I want to challenge you today to think about the impact you have on others. [...]
January 13, 2012 As this year kicks off, I want to challenge you to think about how you’re investing in your professional growth and development. When was the last time you really took the time to focus on this? Perhaps when your company asked you to fill out your goals as part of the performance [...]
January 4, 2012 It’s hard to believe another year has zipped by. Over the past year, I have had the privilege to meet and learn from several well-recognized leaders including Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, Venus Williams, Randall Stephenson of AT&T, Colleen Barrett of Southwest Airlines, and Shaunna Black. I have taken pearls of [...]
December 14, 2011 Yesterday I had a chance to hear Bill White, a community and business leader in Dallas, speak. For years, he has been a strong supporter of the United Way. His quote is the inspiration for my article today: “Be still but keep moving.” This really stuck with me, and reminds me of [...]
December 7, 2011 Over the past few days, I have been clearing the clutter, to make room for what I want to accomplish in 2012 personally and professionally. During this process, I realized that I received five journals as gifts this year from various conferences at which I have spoken and events that I have [...]
November 29, 2011 Thanks to my friend Millie Bradley, I had the opportunity to meet Venus Williams and hear her speak at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Girl Scouts in Dallas a couple of weeks ago. She was an impressive 6 feet and 2 inches, towering above most of us with a big smile [...]
November 16, 2011 A few days ago, I lost my voice to the point of a whisper. This was truly a first for me. As an extrovert and someone who provides coaching and consulting services, it has been SO hard to refrain from talking. To add another interesting dimension, I also had my six-year-old son [...]
November 9, 2011 Over the past two weeks, a theme keeps emerging with my clients and others I have met. I have talked at length with several people about the importance of thinking big – and beyond ourselves. In the midst of day-to-day life, it can be easy to forget how many people have helped [...]
November 1, 2011 Last week, I heard author Connie Glaser speak at a Network of Executive Women event about how women undermine their own power in how they communicate. I see this time and again with my coaching clients, and I have made some of these mistakes myself. Women often don’t realize how their communication [...]
October 25, 2011 I specialize in working with high performing leaders, people who have high expectations of themselves and won’t settle for less. When work gets really demanding, a high performer often responds by working longer hours, sometimes to the point of getting sick or disillusioned. Research shows that proactively managing your energy can increase [...]
October 19, 2011 Throughout my career, I have had the chance to learn from and work with some great thought leaders. So, this week, I thought I’d share three resources with you from people whose work has helped me and my clients. Put Your Mindset to Work I had the opportunity to meet Paul Stoltz [...]
October 13, 2011 As I have coached high performing leaders over the years, I can’t help but notice some common themes. As they move up the ladder, sometimes they take for granted how hard it would be for someone to fill their shoes. Or they underestimate the value of their perspective, one that has been [...]
September 13, 2011 On September 9, 2011; we had the unique opportunity to hear Colleen Barrett (President Emeritus of Southwest Airlines) speak about Servant Leadership at our monthly North Texas Coaches meeting. Unlike most leadership presentations, this was an open forum where she encouraged us to ask her what we really wanted to know. I [...]
August 17, 2011 Two weeks ago, I had a chance to speak in depth with an officer at Marathon Oil. Although my conversation with him was to get his feedback on someone else’s performance, our discussion naturally shifted to his leadership philosophy and how it comes into play with his direct reports. So, this week, [...]
August 3, 2011 This weekend, I found myself going back down memory lane at my 25- year high school reunion. I had so much fun reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. As a member of the planning committee, I found myself paying much more attention to the body language and cues at each [...]
July 27, 2011 Over the past three years, my most requested presentation has been Tastefully Tooting Your Own Horn. It may surprise you to know that individuals at all levels of organizations struggle with self-promotion. Many find self-promotion draining and difficult but absolutely essential – yes, a necessary evil. I don’t like it any more [...]
July 19, 2011 I can’t tell you how often I hear people complain that they don’t have time to focus on something important to them. There can be several reasons they don’t dedicate the time or make the effort. For some, fear holds them back. For others, the sense of urgency isn’t there. But in [...]
July 13, 2011 Three weeks ago, I served as a panelist for OCA’s Professional Leadership Summit: What’s Passion Got to Do with It? I didn’t realize how much I would get out of the experience. It forced me to reflect about my own career and how I’ve stayed in tune with what I’m passionate about [...]
June 29, 2011 This morning, I had a coaching call with my executive coach to talk about my Leadership System, and the steps I take my clients through to get breakthrough results. During the course of our conversation, I realized that there’s one area that I ALWAYS work on with my clients that they NEVER [...]
June 21, 2011 Last month, I presented at the 11th Annual Diversity Summit in Houston on Negotiating for What You Want. At the conference, I heard a senior director from Catalyst (a leading organization focused on advancing women) speak about Unwritten Rules: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You. Like the presenter, I wish I [...]
June 15, 2011 With the recent expansion of our business into the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, several people have commented about how quickly we have plugged into the business community here and asked what we are doing to make it happen. So, I thought I would share three simple, effective strategies that have worked for us [...]
June 1, 2011 If you have a useful idea and no one knows about it, does it really have any value? Well, I would argue that it doesn’t. If you find yourself holding back, what makes you reluctant to speak up? It usually starts with that fleeting thought that goes through your head. Let’s take [...]
May 25, 2011 Last week, I had a conversation with a talented leader who has achieved tremendous success in her career. She is currently in a tough political situation that has thrown her for a loop. A fellow leader at her company clearly wants to expand his span of responsibility and is blatantly playing hardball [...]
May 18, 2011 Nobody really enjoys job hunting – especially in this economy. It may require some soul searching to figure out what you want to do next and working on your resume can be quite an undertaking. We all know that is just the beginning. The good news is that we’ve all been there, [...]
May 11, 2011 Last week, I had the privilege of facilitating a session with a group of leaders to teach them coaching skills. We kicked off our meeting with a surprise guest, Jason Garrett, the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. He spent 45-minutes telling us story after story about what he’s learned and how [...]
May 4, 2011 Executive coaching – what is it exactly, and why should you care? In this world of customization, think of coaching as a development solution tailored just for you. Today you can get personalized M&Ms, custom- made athletic shoes, and computers built to your specifications. So why not work with an executive coach [...]
April 27, 2011 I love what I do and am so excited that I launched my business three years ago – even though I did it right as the economy started to tank. Every day, I get to work with high performing men and women who have the courage to pursue what matters to them [...]
April 20, 2011 I attended a panel discussion a couple of weeks ago at the Greater Houston Women’s Conference with three professionals who collectively have over 75 years of experience in acting, radio and TV. They shared some valuable reminders and tips about Presenting Your Best Self On and Off Camera. So, I’ve included four [...]
April 13, 2011 Last week I had the privilege of attending a workshop led by Jim Kouzes, the co-author of The Leadership Challenge. For those of you who have not heard of this book, you should take a look. Based on over 30 years of research, he and Barry Posner identified five common practices of [...]
April 6, 2011 The Newberry Leadership System for High Performing Women helps leaders build critical skills to the point where they become second nature (i.e., to the point of unconscious competence) – to help them get results they couldn’t before. So, today I want to share one simple technique I use in this System to [...]
March 30, 2011 If you’re like most people, you have a sense of what you want to accomplish when each day begins…and then the day “happens.” You may get diverted by unplanned issues and be left wondering, “What the heck happened?!” No matter what is going on in your day, I urge you to think [...]
March 16, 2011 In my role as an executive coach, I have the privilege of working with my high performing clients on so many different challenges and opportunities. It’s one of the things I really love about what I do. In particular, I really get excited when I can help my client see an open [...]
March 2, 2011 Influence has so many implications, from getting your ideas heard to getting the support and resources you need to implement them. For some the fine art of influence comes naturally, but for most it requires concerted effort. Let’s start by taking a look at a common definition of influence. Influence is the [...]
February 17, 2011 Whether you’re a man or a woman, you’ve probably heard time and again how important it is to have at least one strong mentor to guide you and help you develop the skills necessary to get to the next level in your career. Most large companies even offer formal or informal mentoring [...]
February 2, 2011 Last week, I delivered a presentation on resilience in Dallas. At one point, I led the group through an exercise where they had to pull out the most valuable lessons they had learned from difficult situations they had successfully worked through in the past. I want to share a common theme that [...]
January 26, 2011 As managers and leaders, you may have a wide range of responsibilities from giving your team the right guidance and direction to getting down into details to problem-solve. However, the higher you climb up the corporate ladder, the more you need to consistently focus on the big picture in everything you do. [...]
January 12, 2011 A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a proposal for a multi-billion dollar company seeking to develop its top leaders. Of course, the minute I hit “send,” I realized I had omitted a really important fact about my experience – to the point where it grossly understated my qualifications. In fact, it [...]
October 4, 2011 Have you ever found yourself sitting on the fence about something that’s really important to you? It could be related to a career decision, going for what you want personally or professionally, or making an investment in yourself. Well, I’m here to tell you it’s a new year, full of new opportunities [...]
November 30, 2010 Have you ever found yourself frustrated because you have a good idea but it doesn’t go anywhere? No matter how big or small the idea, we’ve all faced this at some point. After reading John Kotter’s recent book, Buy In – Saving Your Good Idea from Getting Shot Down, I thought it [...]
November 19, 2010 As you know, my sweet spot is working with high performers – especially women. For those of you wondering, I do actually work with some pretty impressive men too. Regardless of gender, what I find in this group of clients is a relentless drive for results. But even with that drive, sometimes [...]
November 10, 2010 Two weeks ago, I presented at the Women’s Global Leadership Conference in Energy & Technology in Houston. The topic was How to successfully negotiate for a raise – How to get past your dread, develop a win/win approach, and negotiate for what you want. In this article, I have broadened my comments [...]
October 12, 2010 When was the last time you really thought about your brand as a leader? If you’re like most, you probably haven’t given it much, if any, thought. When I coach high performing managers and leaders, leadership brand comes up time and again – because being deliberate about assessing and developing your brand [...]
October 6, 2010 As you know, I specialize in working with high performing managers and leaders (especially women) to help them get even better results. So, the people I work with are typically very talented, have done well in their careers, and are striving for more. As they move up the corporate ladder, the skills [...]
September 28, 2010 If you’re like most people, you’ve been in situations that haven’t turned out like you wanted or expected. For example, you might have been passed up for an exciting opportunity or promotion that you felt well-qualified for, or you didn’t get the pay increase you were expecting. We’ve all been faced with [...]
September 14, 2010 When you are a high performer and working in a fast-paced environment, it’s easy to fall into the trap of “moving too fast.” Because you have already thought through the issue at hand and the best way to address it, you might inadvertently leave out some important information in your communication – [...]
September 8, 2010 No matter how high up you go in an organization, communication can be a challenge. As a manager or leader, there’s a fine line between sharing too much information and not enough. Too much detail can leave others with the impression that you can’t see the big picture or focus on what [...]
August 31, 2010 One of the common themes I find in coaching high performing women managers and leaders is their reluctance to ask for help. This shows up in their personal and professional lives. As you know, women are socialized to take care of others, so naturally it can be easier to put everyone else’s [...]
April 24, 2010 Do you struggle with giving candid, constructive feedback? Read on if you answered, “Yes.” If you’re like most managers and leaders, you have the best intentions when you are giving feedback. You want to communicate clearly and constructively without damaging the relationship, ultimately improving performance. As you know, this can be easier [...]
August 18, 2010 Blind spots. We all have them. But do you really understand how they’re getting in the way of your success? Let me give you an example to bring this to life. Imagine racing a high performance car. You are looking ahead, planning your next move to sustain your performance without compromising your [...]
January 13, 2010 Over the years, I have worked with many individuals and organizations to help them transition through major changes – even more so in this economic climate. So, whether you’re personally dealing with change or leading your organization through change, this article has tips to help you work through it more effectively. William [...]
June 16, 2010 I remember the first time I worked with an executive coach when I was a Director at Deloitte. It was truly eye-opening. People who know me well know that I’m a self-help book junkie and my own worst critic. However, when you’re in the thick of the day-to- day pressures and demands [...]
April 20, 2010 I just read Play Like A Man, Win Like a Woman by Gail Evans, a senior executive at CNN. Because I specialize in working with high achieving women, the challenges she highlighted were all too familiar. I thought I’d share four pieces of advice that may be a valuable reminder to both [...]
March 9, 2010 I recently facilitated a discussion at the University of Houston’s Women’s Studies Table Talk 2010 event, and it inspired this article. We had an invigorated discussion about how we live in a 24/7, “give me what I’m asking for right now” world. Many of us work in companies with a high performance, [...]
February 9, 2010 Time is a precious resource that we just can’t get back, so use it wisely. Time management strategies can help, but yield minimal results if you aren’t focusing on the “right work” – areas where you can have the biggest impact on the business. Here are three simple steps to help you [...]
January 26, 2010 When people think of networking, they often think about how to expand the size of their network. This article is going to give you tips on how to harness the power of your existing network to achieve your goals. To bring this to life, let’s take an example of Susan, a client [...]
January 19, 2010 Are you intrigued by the thought of working with a coach, but skeptical about whether it can really make a difference? I know I was the first time I had an executive coach. At the time, I worked at Deloitte, one of the largest professional services firms in the world. The organization [...]
January 6, 2010 It’s that time again when we ask ourselves, “What do I want to accomplish this year?” Some of us write New Year’s resolutions, many which never come to fruition. We may start out with a lot of energy and excitement, but don’t recognize how we set ourselves up for failure. Read on [...]
