Executive Coaching | Dr. Earl R. Smith II

“Grant me the wisdom …”

Feb 052011

The CEO's Handbook - Volume One
Notes for a Thinking Chief Executive Available on Amazon Kindle - Click Here

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
Managing Partner, The Federal Circle
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
Dr-Smith.com

That’s how the old saying starts off. The rest makes a distinction between ‘what I can’t and can change’. Wisdom, it is posited, is knowing the difference – accepting what can’t be changed and changing what can. Clear enough as it is but these is a wrinkle – an oversight – that most people routinely make – one that flies in the face of such ‘wisdom’. They focus almost exclusively on what can’t be changed. Continue reading ““Grant me the wisdom …”” »

Reason Why or Thinking How?

Executive Coaching, Life Coaching, Personal Growth No Responses »

Feb 042011

The CEO's Handbook - Volume One
Notes for a Thinking Chief Executive Available on Amazon Kindle - Click Here

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
Managing Partner, The Federal Circle
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
Dr-Smith.com

Some of my coaching engagements focus on the personal tendencies of my clients. Those journeys take us into very personal areas; many of which have been either avoided or ignored for many years. One of the most productive assaults centers around a tendency that is ubiquitous among humans – enabled by the human capacity for selective memory. Continue reading “Reason Why or Thinking How?” »

Coaching Notes – Excuses and Such

Executive Coaching No Responses »

Jan 312011

The CEO's Handbook - Volume One
Notes for a Thinking Chief Executive Available on Amazon Kindle - Click Here

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
Managing Partner, The Federal Circle
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
Dr-Smith.com

Many of my coaching engagements start out covering fairly rocky ground. When people come to me for help, they are in some sort of distress. Often their tendency to diagnose their challenges rather than prospecting for their future – and that presents a real problem. Continue reading “Coaching Notes – Excuses and Such” »

Coaching Notes – Focusing On Branding

Executive Coaching No Responses »

Jan 282011

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
Managing Partner, The Federal Circle
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
Dr-Smith.com

These are stories about things that don’t have to happen – things that can be avoided. There is nothing in human experience that makes them unavoidable. These are stories about the great divide between knowing and doing – and about how a trusted coach can help you remake your future. Continue reading “Coaching Notes – Focusing On Branding” »

Coaching Notes – Unexpected Links

Executive Coaching No Responses »

Jan 262011

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
Managing Partner, The Federal Circle
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
Dr-Smith.com

I was recently reading an article in this month’s MIT Sloan Management Review – Big Data, Analytics and the Path From Insights to Value – when I came across a very striking example of a challenge that I was working on with a coaching client. What set me back and got me thinking differently was the discovery of unexpected linkages between indicators and results. Continue reading “Coaching Notes – Unexpected Links” »

Coaching Notes – Chapter Two

Executive Coaching Comments Off

Jan 212011

The CEO's Handbook - Volume One
Notes for a Thinking Chief Executive Available on Amazon Kindle - Click Here

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
Managing Partner, The Federal Circle
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
Dr-Smith.com

I suspect that many of us do not spend enough time looking in the mirror. I am not advocating narcissism – only suggesting that self-awareness begins with a reflection. Continue reading “Coaching Notes – Chapter Two” »

Coaching Notes – Chapter One

Executive Coaching Comments Off

Jan 142011

The CEO's Handbook - Volume One
Notes for a Thinking Chief Executive Available on Amazon Kindle - Click Here

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
Managing Partner, The Federal Circle
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
Dr-Smith.com

After I sold off my interest in my last company I decided to head for Scotland to pursue PhD research into social and political systems. It turned out to be a very productive break – clearing my mind of all focus on business for just over four years. Upon my return, I faced the proverbial ‘clean slate’ challenge. ‘What was I going to do now?’ Continue reading “Coaching Notes – Chapter One” »

Of Course … The Tragic Mistake – Part Five: To be What?

Executive Coaching, Turnaround Management, Venture Capital Comments Off

Jul 032010

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
Managing Partner, The Federal Circle
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
Dr-Smith.com

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Prior articles in the series:

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It had been some time since our last meeting. An e-mail showed up indicating that she was ready to sit down and talk. When we began the engagement neither of us was sure where things were going or where they might end up. Our last meeting – some weeks back – had started with some tension in the air. My coaching client had made a successful career as an entrepreneur. She sold her companies and made a lot of money. After a brief ‘vacation’ from business, she began to cast around for her ‘next life’. After some reflection she had decided to become an angel investor. Continue reading “Of Course … The Tragic Mistake – Part Five: To be What?” »

Pages: 1 2

Of Course … The Tragic Mistake – Part Four: To Be Or Not To Be

Executive Coaching, Venture Capital Comments Off

Apr 142010

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
Managing Partner, The Federal Circle
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
Dr-Smith.com

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Prior articles in the series:

“So what are we going to talk about this time?” The question had a bit of an edge. I could tell that she was apprehensive about the focus of the next hour. Our last session, a week past, had highlighted a basic problem in her approach to investing. When, as a CEO, she had to deal with investors it seemed very natural to her that they would insist on clear performance metrics that defined both compensation and ownership. But, now that she was on the other side of the discussion, her response had been to go softly on the team she had invested in. The results had been unsatisfactory. A team without clear metrics is like a gaggle wandering through a deep forest without a compass. Its only a matter of time before the bears get hungry. Continue reading “Of Course … The Tragic Mistake – Part Four: To Be Or Not To Be” »

Pages: 1 2

Of Course … The Tragic Mistake – Part Three: Let the Coaching Begin

Executive Coaching, Venture Capital Comments Off

Apr 122010

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
Managing Partner, The Federal Circle
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
Dr-Smith.com

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Prior articles in the series:

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Let the Coaching Begin!

It was one thing to reach an agreement on the focus and goals of the coaching engagement but another to actually kick the process in gear. I could tell by her body language that the CEO was nervous about getting into the thick of things. In such situations, I find it useful to begin with more of an intellectual discussion. Somehow, working with concepts softens apprehensions and allows the discussion to begin in what feels like a safer place. And so, that is what we did. Continue reading “Of Course … The Tragic Mistake – Part Three: Let the Coaching Begin” »

Pages: 1 2

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Coaching Breakthrough – Seeing What Was There All Along
That was how one of my early mentors once challenged me. I was dealing with what I thought was the problem before me. It was frustrating because I couldn’t seem to make any progress. So I wandered into his backyard and plopped down on one of his beach chairs. One look at me and he headed inside to return with a couple of cold beers. “What’s biting your insteps, grasshopper,” he asked.
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Contact me if you want to discuss my coaching program.

Dr. Smith Interviewed by WashingtonExec

Click Here For
Books By Dr. Smith

Client Reference

My work with Dr. Smith has been nothing less than a transformation of my professional life. He has shown me how to leverage my experiences and skill set to set a way forward in my career, with a practical, disciplined approach to building a practice.

Dr. Smith is not just a talker though, his focus is on your actions, showing the way, setting metrics, giving advice and letting you take the reins of your own destiny. He has a way of expecting results without being overbearing, while encouraging you thru the bumps in the road, always with an emphasis on sticking with the plan you have developed with him.

Along with an intense focus on the task, our meetings are fun – conversations ranging from business development, politics, books and film, football, and Washington DC culture, sprinkled with bits of advice and items to pique my interest and development. Earl has become a great mentor, adviser, and most of all, I’m proud to call him a friend. I would recommend him without reservation.

Matt Falls

About Dr. Smith

Coaching services to C-level executives

Service on boards of directors

Advisory boards as business development engines

Adviser to CEOs

I am the author of a number of books and write regularly on business, funding and entrepreneurial subjects. Follow Dr. Smith on Twitter. Connect with me via Linked In Visit me on Facebook

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Dr. Earl R. Smith II

Executive and Team Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Mentoring - Strategic Planning - Board Service

“Grant me the wisdom …”

Reason Why or Thinking How?

Coaching Notes – Excuses and Such

Coaching Notes – Focusing On Branding

Coaching Notes – Unexpected Links

Coaching Notes – Chapter Two

Coaching Notes – Chapter One

Of Course … The Tragic Mistake – Part Five: To be What?

Of Course … The Tragic Mistake – Part Four: To Be Or Not To Be

Of Course … The Tragic Mistake – Part Three: Let the Coaching Begin

Follow Me On Twitter

Connect On Facebook

Connect On Linked In

THE FEDERAL CIRCLE ANNOUNCES AN ADVISORY ENGAGEMENT WITH WORKSITE LIGHTING

The Federal Circle announces An Advisory Engagement with Life Recovery Systems

Coaching Breakthrough – Seeing What Was There All Along

Books by Dr. Smith:

Leadership Coaching

Dr. Smith Interviewed by WashingtonExec

Click Here For
Books By Dr. Smith

Client Reference

About Dr. Smith

Recent Posts

Executive and Team Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Mentoring - Strategic Planning - Board Service

Follow Me On Twitter

Connect On Facebook

Connect On Linked In

THE FEDERAL CIRCLE ANNOUNCES AN ADVISORY ENGAGEMENT WITH WORKSITE LIGHTING

The Federal Circle announces An Advisory Engagement with Life Recovery Systems

Coaching Breakthrough – Seeing What Was There All Along

Books by Dr. Smith:

Leadership Coaching

Dr. Smith Interviewed by WashingtonExec

Click Here ForBooks By Dr. Smith

Client Reference

About Dr. Smith

Recent Posts

Click Here For
Books By Dr. Smith