Catherine Finger

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Stepping Out into Your Irresistible Future with Him in 2023

January 5, 2023 by catherinefinger Leave a Comment

Each new year ushers in the opportunity to refresh, recommit, and transform “destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future.” Faith traditions offer various routes to transformation of the mind, body, and soul. My own Judeo-Christian faith beliefs lead me to a “constructive thoughtfulness” as laid out in Romans 12:1-2, (NASB version) as follows:
I urge you therefore, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect.

Transformation begins by examining our day-to-day habits and routines. How is your physical health? How is your nutrition? Are you getting enough rest and relaxation? How is your daily physical movement coming along? If you could take two daily steps to improve your physical vitality in the new year, what would they be? Our physical selves reflect our Creator—we can honor the Divine by treating our bodies with respect and implementing healthful habits.

“Presenting ourselves in a manner acceptable to God” can be as simple as beginning your day in prayer and meditation. Inviting God to lead you and asking Him for the strength to live according to His will for you today is a “spiritual service of worship.” God is in the business of connecting, speaking, and leading us if we would but turn to Him with the slightest nod of even the hardest of hearts. Offer yourself to Him as you are—and incline your inner ear to His still, small voice. If you’re willing to stop and listen—you will hear His call to you. James 4:8 (NASB) says: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Try it!

Renewing our minds has never been more critical than it is in today’s climate of constant distraction. Develop and reinforce positive mental habits by reading uplifting and challenging content every day—starting with the Bible or other faith-based information that will strengthen your daily journey. Starting each day with a practice of gratitude, prayer, meditation, and reading or listening to something uplifting and thought-provoking can help set you on a positive path for the day. Writing your intentions for the day and then engaging in a quick review at the end of your day reinforces your habits and helps you renew your mind by engaging in new practices as you explore new mental models. Transformation is the result of inner renewal. Renewal is the result of engaging in positive spiritual, mental, and physical health habits and behaviors.

How do we know we are on the right path—or how do we know the will of God for our lives? I love the simplicity of the will of God as listed in Romans 12:2 (NASB:) “that which is good, acceptable, and perfect.” Boom! That’s how we prove the will of God. Is the practice in which you are engaging good, acceptable, and perfect? Is the relationship you are considering good, acceptable, and perfect? Are your current habits and practices of day-to-day living good, acceptable, and perfect? For me this is a simple test—if something in my life doesn’t even reach the threshold of “good,” it surely won’t grow into the categories of “acceptable or perfect.” And so, I receive the invitation to change, to renewal, to transformation.

I encourage you to be on the lookout for subtle invitations to growth from the Divine as you step out into your own Irresistible Future with Him in 2023.

Filed Under: Blog related to Coaching, Christian Fiction, Coaching for Performance, End of Year Reflection, Executive Coaching, Personal Coaching, Professional Coaching, Resilience, Set Challenging Goals, Stepping out into Irresistible Future, Success Coaching Tagged With: Finding the Will of God, Motivation, New Year, Spiritual Coaching, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Transformation, Stepping out into Irresistible Future with Him

Catherine Finger Earns 2022 CEO Today Executive Coaching Award!

November 26, 2022 by catherinefinger Leave a Comment

CEO Today announced the full list of winners of their 2022 CEO Today Executive Coaching Awards–and Catherine Finger is featured on page 79! You may see the listing from the CEO Today journal here: https://executivecoachingawards.ceotodaymagazine.com/winners-edition/79/

The following excerpts are from a press release issued by CEO Today  earlier this week: Every month, CEO Today Magazine features perspectives from business leaders at the top of their field. Though they may now be running S&P 500 and FTSE companies, they came from more humble beginnings. Often, their inspirational leadership and management skills were shaped by the expert training of an executive coach.

This new publication aims to celebrate professionals whose work in the world of business is less visible, but no less crucial for it. Every great figure of the modern business world, from Jeff Bezos to Larry Page, has benefited from the work of a coach to sharpen their acumen and perfect their leadership style – an advantage that even SMEs the world over are now beginning to recognize.

The 2022 CEO Today Executive Coaching Awards honor coaches including the likes of Navid Nazemian, Peter Baloh, Borut Jeglič, Tracy Clark, Mercy Situmbeko, Victoria Hepburn–and Catherine Finger. All are shining examples of leadership and emotional intelligence whose insights will fascinate any CEO with ambitions of industry-leading success. We at CEO Today are proud to present this special publication. Congratulations to all of our winners and finalists.

 

 

 

Filed Under: 2022 Coaching Awards, Awards for Excellence in Coaching, Awards for Excellence in Executive Coaching, Blog related to Coaching, CEO Today, Coaching for Performance, Excellence in Executive Coaching, Executive Coaching, Executive Coaching for Educational Leaders, Leadership, Personal Coaching, Professional Coaching, Success Coaching Tagged With: Coaching, Coaching for Educational Leaders, Excellence in Coaching Awards, Executive Coaching, Professional Coaching, Top Executive Coaches, Top Wisconsin Leadership Coach

Lessons Learned from Hitting the Wall

October 13, 2022 by catherinefinger Leave a Comment

“I hit the wall, Doc. I need your help.”

When one of my highest-performing leaders opened a recent session with this plea for help, it surprised us both. Think Top Gun-era Tom Cruise and ratchet it up several notches. Wildly successful by any measure personally and professionally, this top-of-his-game, prime-of-his-life leader found himself unable to get out of bed and unwilling to engage with anyone other than his wife, his children, and me.

After exploring his experiences and identifying his immediate needs, together we crafted a step-by-step plan designed to support him through this tough time. Part of our planning included prioritizing rest—for his body, mind, and spirit. Once we addressed his immediate physical needs (including a medical review) we moved on to thinking differently about his priorities, scaling back for the moment, and reframing his hard-hitting schedule.

  1. Recognize the wall—and the gift behind the wall. It is shocking to discover our humanity—especially when faced with limitations and needs. Your wall of exhaustion and your faltering body may be trying to get your attention. What is the message behind this wall? What gifts might be waiting to emerge during this debilitating experience?
  2. NOW. Stop, drop and REST. Body, mind, and spirit. I know this is hard for leaders. But not resting and continuing to ignore what your body is trying to tell you can be much, much harder in the long run. And here’s a bonus: as a leader, taking care of yourself in front of your colleagues gives them permission to take care of themselves. What would you tell your best friend if he were experiencing the same symptoms that you are experiencing right now? Give yourself that same stellar advice and follow it.
  3. Reframe your idea of priorities. That urgent work pile is not likely to go away while you are still working. Don’t fall into that trap of “when I get this done, then I’ll…” Peak performers are NEVER done with those urgent projects and initiatives. Learn to manage the anxiety that comes with increased workloads and heightened responsibilities and learn to trust yourself. Change your inner messaging from “I’ll never get this done” to “I’ve got this.” Each day has enough troubles of its own. Keep your focus on the present, and trust that the future will be handled when it arrives.
  4. Reaffirm your faith—including faith in your family, in your ability to bounce back, and in your organization’s ability to survive without you having to run faster than a speeding bullet. Lean into your belief system and trust that there is a larger purpose for your momentary suffering. Who knows what fruit might be developing in your life through this difficult period? You have to go through the wall to get to the other side—but you get to choose whether or not to keep going through that wall. No one else can make that decision for you.
  5. Recognize the talent and power in colleagues around you that may have been waiting for their moment to shine—and give it to them. Empower others to step in and pick up some of your leadership responsibilities—who knows, you may realize that you should have delegated more to your colleagues long ago.
  6. Recruit trusted supporters and invite them to help you recognize the key indicators you missed along the way while heading toward that brick wall. In my client’s case, he’d grown accustomed to being the fastest, brightest, shiniest bulb in any marquis. Whenever people questioned his level of responsibilities and commitments, he would smile and embrace the load—making it look far easier than it actually was. His wife, however, did not. She would question him and offer her advice about his need for solitude and rest—which he routinely ignored. During the quiet moments of recovery from his hitting-the-wall reality, it was her voice he heard in those still small moments while reflecting on what early indicators he might have missed. Going forward, her questions are now a part of his early warning system, as are noticing his emotional state and taking care of his physical need for rest.
  7. Reap the lessons learned and integrate them into the way you work. Several years ago, I was struck with a bout of vertigo at an airport while traveling to speak at a national women’s leadership conference. I remember pushing through my panic and allowing myself to wonder whether this is the time my life changes and no longer includes routine travel to serve others in my leadership journey. I gave myself permission to stay; permission to leave; permission to wait and see what happens next. Several canceled and rescheduled flights later, I arrived at the conference center with a little less vigor than I’d preferred having learned a valuable lesson: I can build enough margin into my schedule to make room for the unexpected. And, if I do have to cancel or reschedule an event due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, I can do that as well. Life doesn’t have to fit inside of our limiting “all or nothing” perspectives. By the way, I did give that speech and I had a wonderful time with a fabulous group of women—and I made it home just fine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Coaching for Performance, Excellence in Executive Coaching, Executive Coaching, Executive Coaching for Educational Leaders, Hitting the Wall, Leadership, Professional Coaching, Resilience, Success Coaching Tagged With: Executive Coaching, Executive Coaching; Leadership; Coaching for High Performance, Hitting the Wall, Mental Health Support for School Leaders, Overcoming Obstacles, Resilience, Supporting School Leaders

Turn The Great Resignation Into Your Great Reframing

September 13, 2022 by catherinefinger Leave a Comment

I am delighted to share my first official article published today after being named an Executive Contributor for Brainz Magazine!

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

The compelling question of whether to join the masses and jump off the cliff of commitment into the Great Resignation has been cropping up in coaching sessions quite a bit lately. I understand the allure—and I am a big fan of challenge and change in general, so my clients find a strong ally in me when grappling with this question. Today I offer you five questions and perspectives my clients and I consider when addressing the issue of whether it is time to resign—or reframe.
A beautiful photo of blue sea and a cliff.

1. It’s never too late to quit.

Do you have to quit today? Many work-related problems fade rather quickly. Give yourself time to manage the event that might be tempting you to cash it in. Dropping the mic and walking away can be tempting—but what’s the rush? You don’t need to decide whether you’re going to stay or walk away today. Give yourself the luxury of time and perspective.

2. Make sure your choice to leave is your choice to leave.

Sometimes catastrophic work-related events color our vision, squeezing out all that is right and wonderful with our worlds at work until the only option we can see clearly is an exit sign. While there are certainly times when we may need to leave—sometimes our emotions run wild and prevent us from seeing our own distorted thinking. Is there a habit, practice, or initiative that you need to start or stop doing that could make a big difference in your world of work right now? Maybe personal growth in your current workplace is what your brain is trying to push you toward. And that ‘stay and grow’ door sits right next to that ‘exit sign’ in our minds. Make sure you don’t mistake the call to stay and grow in the glare of a pulsing exit sign.

3. Clarity is your friend.

Walk yourself through the questions you would ask your best friend struggling with the ‘should I stay or should I go’ decision. What’s driving your desire to resign? Do you want to leave—or do you need to change something in your current setting right now? Do you need to go—or is there something that no longer serves you in the way you are seeing and experiencing yourself at work?

4. Is the grass really all that green on the other side of the proverbial fence?

While there certainly are many benefits to embracing change professionally and personally, we often underestimate the impact of transitions. How will shifting into a new job impact you, your family, and your career? What if your shiny new job turns out to be a pit of vipers wrapped in a “grass is always greener” veneer? What is your game plan for addressing the unintended consequences of the challenges and changes that transitioning into a new job—or no job—brings?

5. What if you could be happy/happier/happy enough where you are?

What would it take for you to become content with your current circumstances? What are the three best things about your current workplace—and how can you capitalize on them? What are the three worst things about staying in your current workplace—and how can you orchestrate improvements? Perhaps advocating for yourself financially and asking for additional compensation is in order. How can you contribute to your own personal and professional growth while remaining where you are for the time being? Perhaps joining or starting professional development opportunities could help you stay refreshed. Engaging in a life-affirming hobby can do wonders for your energy and perspective both on the job and at home. Another great way to expand connections and broaden your perspective while staying at the same job is to become actively engaged in professional organizations at the state, national, or international levels.

You’ve got my permission to stay. What will it take to permit yourself to stay in your current role? Here’s to the courage to dig deeper, listen to the desires of your heart, and allow yourself time and space to reframe instead of joining the great resignation.

Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info!

Award-winning author Catherine Finger contributes to the well-being of others by offering executive, personal, and author coaching services. Throughout her career as a public-school leader, mentoring current and emerging leaders was one of her greatest joys. This experience, coupled with her passion to instill hope for leadership, love, and life led her to launch Loving the Leading, an executive coaching and consulting business in 2020. Her years of successful experience as an educational leader, board member, adjunct professor, award-winning author, law enforcement chaplain and community leader equip her with unique insights and deep intuition on both organizations and individuals.

Filed Under: Blog related to Coaching, Coaching for Performance, Don't Resign--Reframe, Executive Coaching for Educational Leaders, Leadership, Professional Coaching, Resilience, Success Coaching

Executive Coach Catherine Finger Named to 2022 Top 15 Coaches List by Influence Digest!

September 5, 2022 by catherinefinger Leave a Comment

I was delighted to be included on the Influence Digest 2022 Top 15 Coaches list for the greater metropolitan Detroit area–and so grateful for my Detroit area clients! This award was made public on August 30, 2022 and included a profile and bio in the Influence Digest edition available at this link: https://influencedigest.com/coaching/top-coaches-detroit-2022/

Filed Under: 2022 Coaching Awards, Coaching for Performance, Educational Leadership, Excellence in Executive Coaching, Executive Coaching, Executive Coaching for Educational Leaders, Personal Coaching, Professional Coaching, Success Coaching, Top Detroit-Area Coaches

What Would You Do if You Knew You Could Not Fail?

August 14, 2022 by catherinefinger Leave a Comment

Being the cool, growth-oriented professionals that we are, I’m pretty sure most of you engage your clients and colleagues with a question of this sort now and then. When’s the last time you asked this question of yourself? What would YOU do if you knew you could not fail? In your leadership practice? In your relationships? In your personal and professional growth?

Today is a great day to open your heart to the possibilities of challenge and change that may be incubating deep within. While we want to always maintain a personal posture of loving self-acceptance and contentment, personal and professional growth are key contributors to well-being. How are you doing in terms of your own personal and professional growth?

What are some of your Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals (BHAGs?) Jim Collins coined that phrase way back in 2001 in his renowned corporate strategy book Good to Great. I can tell you I am at my best professionally and personally when working to realize a BHAG or two in my own life. This year one of my very challenging goals has been to further develop my coaching practice by expanding my advertising, writing, and networking platforms. Doing the work is at once energizing and terrifying—and it is leading to connection, community, and great growth.

Becoming more involved in professional coaching communities is another goal that leads to great growth and connection in my life. This year I am delighted to be able to engage that goal to a new level by actively participating in the Midwest Coaches Conference. This will be my very first in-person professional coaching conference and I am already committed to serving in the ICF WI booth and to attending the Progressive Ethnic Meal with other ICF Wi colleagues. Additionally, I am delighted to be able to attend the International Fellowship of Chaplains national conference in a few weeks.

How about you? Would generating your own BHAG spur you to greater connection and challenge you to deeper personal and professional growth? I’d love to hear about it—and support you along the way. You’re welcome to share your journey with me here: catherine@catherinefinger.com

Filed Under: BHAG's, Blog related to Coaching, Coaching for Performance, Educational Leadership, Executive Coaching, Executive Coaching for Educational Leaders, Leadership, Personal Coaching, Professional Coaching, Set Challenging Goals, Success Coaching Tagged With: BHAG's, Challenge and Change, Coaching for Success, Executive Coaching for Educational Leaders, Set Challenging Goals, Supporting School Leaders

Executive Coaching for Educational Leaders

August 9, 2022 by catherinefinger Leave a Comment

 

What attracted you into the field of education in the first place? Educational leaders cite deeply held beliefs about the critical importance of a quality education to “level the playing field” and provide and equip students with opportunities and options throughout their K-12 journey and beyond. Many of us were drawn to education because we love children—and we love watching the discovery process through their precious minds and hearts. We have had the privilege of tending to the first embers of a student’s life-long enchantment with the arts. We have walked amongst struggling students and shared their joy as they first found meaning in texts, signs, symbols and found their voice through the power of the written word.  We witnessed the powerful transformation that only education can bring, empowering students to leap into new ways of thinking, seeing, and believing as their words became worlds.

Loving the Leading is a call back to what drew you into education in the first place. What values and beliefs do you hold that fuel your commitment to your work as an educational leader? How could engaging a certified, professional coach support you professionally and personally as you begin another challenging school year?

Engaging with an executive coach supports you as you shoulder the burden of leadership in today’s complex environment.  The coaching process provides a confidential thought partnership designed to guide you through research-backed information, practices, assessments, and conversations emerging from your unique areas of interest.  Together we will generate professional and personal growth goals and develop action plans to achieve those goals while providing accountability and support.

Ready to Learn More? Schedule a 30-Minute Free Consultation

 

Filed Under: Blog related to Coaching, Coaching for Performance, Educational Leadership, Executive Coaching, Executive Coaching for Educational Leaders, Leadership, Professional Coaching, Success Coaching Tagged With: Executive Coaching for Educational Leaders, Executive Coaching; Leadership; Coaching for High Performance, Mental Health Support for School Leaders, Supporting School Leaders

Coaching Affirmations from a Trail Rider

March 18, 2021 by catherinefinger Leave a Comment

One of my greatest passions is competing in an equestrian event called Trail. This is a sport that requires connection, forward motion, staying present, and focusing on one footfall at a time.  The partnership between horse and rider is essential in creating the elegance and poise characteristic of a winning ride in the Trail pen.

Clara—my ten-year-old quarter horse mare—has been my trail partner since January 2017. I know her well enough to know the difference between her asking for guidance and trying to take the reins herself. She knows me well enough to know when I’m asking her to round her back and lengthen her stride or when my arthritic left leg simply stops working for the day.

Together, we navigate a series of obstacles that require us to find a precise take off point for her (that’s my job) and an athletic surge of power and elegance as we maneuver over the poles (that’s her job.) An obstacle typically contains a series of wooden poles placed on the ground at varying heights and in differing formations, often surrounded by vibrant and distracting décor. The distance between each pole and the path you choose to take as a team determines the number of strides needed in-between each pole. In order to get to the correct take-off point, I need to focus on each pole and find a six-inch spot in the dirt to fix my eyes upon—signaling to Clara where to put her feet before clearing each pole with each foot.

Working with clients also requires teamwork, goal setting, and forward motion. As a coach, I strive to create an arena of safety and wisdom with each client. People come to the coaching experience seeking a thoughtful partnership that empowers them to navigate their own set of obstacles. Together we talk it out—riding every stride and letting each pole come to us instead of rushing the process and missing importance pieces of the pattern before us.

Filed Under: & Life, Blog related to Coaching, Blog Related to Horses, Coaching for Performance, Executive Coaching, Personal Coaching, Professional Coaching Tagged With: Coaching, Executive Coaching, Horses, Leadership, Overcoming Obstacles, Showing AQHA Trail

What’s Your Signature Message?

August 19, 2020 by catherinefinger Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Blog related to Coaching, Coaching for Performance, Executive Coaching, Leadership Tagged With: Executive Coaching; Coaching; Leadership; Communication; Branding

Dr. Jeffrey Auerbach’s Coaching Tips for Well Being

July 9, 2020 by catherinefinger Leave a Comment

https://www.executivecoachcollege.com/downloads/CEC_CoachingTipsForWellBeing.pdf

 

Filed Under: Coaching for Performance, Executive Coaching, Leadership, News & Updates, Personal Coaching

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