Coaching 101

Today's coaching lesson is: "Victim's" vs. "Victor's" - Above and Below the line.

In life (and in business) there are two elements that segregates the "Victims" and the "Victors" of business. Its a very simple concept actually. There are those who spend a great deal of their time blaming others and then there are those who take total ownership and responsibility. Lets identify the "Victims" and "Victors".

There is a fine line that is drawn with those who feel like victims, meaning that they feel that the whole world is against them and don't want them to succeed. The "victims" have a tendency to blame others for mistakes that were made, always has an excuse as to "why" certain events happened, and denying any wrong doing (irregardless if it were them or not). We call these folks "victims". Typically, these folks consider themselves to be victimized for the rest of their lives. Watch out for these folks. They are very influential and know how to influence others, making it difficult to re- cultivate the rest of the team in a more positive environment.

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VICTOR'S

Ownership

Accountablility

Responsibility

-------------------- <= Fine line

VICTIM'S

Blame

Excuse

Denial

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This example (seen above) is known as the OAR/BED chart. The purpose is to help you understand where you need to be to succeed in business. Either professionally or personally.

In the example, Ownership, Accountability, and Responsibility are what it takes to be a very good leader and developing a solid team. In the end, you and your team will be "victorious" in what you set out to accomplish.

In the example, Blame, Excuse, and Denial is were folks reside when they don't know how to take responsibility. These folks like to call themselves "victim's" and are always preaching to others how bad they have it. If you have people like this on your team, coach them out of it!

When I'm coaching others and I hear folks starting to use the "blame game", I tell them that they are "below the line". When they hear that, they immediately shift themselves to be "above the line".