Did you know Thomas Leonard? Perhaps not personally, but from communicating with him online? Or maybe you met him face-to-face once or twice, volunteered on a project of his, took a class, read a book or even worked directly with him?
It's four years ago today when he passed away so suddenly, and as the years go by, I remember the little things most. That's new to me because I'm at the age when not many people around me have passed on just yet. But I hear that's how it goes.
Every once in a while I think "I really ought to share that "little something about Thomas" but then I think it's probably just silly. Then again, every once in a while I think of something I wish I could 'ask that person' about Thomas --specific things.
So let's consider this an experiment, a perfect one for the blogosphere so to speak. I'd like to base it on the thought that there are a lot of 'little somethings' we each know, or think, or feel about Thomas, that we may not have a place or occasion to share. But that together, they form a picture that would be worth telling, or preserving, and several thousands of people at least, would be interested in referring back to, from time to time.
So in the spirit of weaving a web of interconnected stories, factoids, interesting anectdotes, insights or just comments, I'll start by posting a few of these 'little somethings' along with a few 'specific questions' for people, below.
As you read this, you're welcome to consider yourself part of the experiment and contribute (or not) accordingly. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
(1) Do you have an untold story about Thomas, that may have happened to just you or in a larger group setting? Share as much or little detail as you like. Funny, profound, silly, significant - you get to pick the flavour, and post the photos too, if you'd like.
(2) How about a thought you have about Thomas and who he was, from your perspective. Again this need not be heavy, but just fine if it is. And no need to paint the man in white either - we know he was idiosyncratic and the quirky stories often are the most illustrative. :-)
(3) What about a fact about Thomas that you think isn't widely known, or bears repeating? (Remember there will likely be new coaches reading through who didn't know him, which is part of the reason for this experiment - each one of us might find it hard to give a 'snapshot' of who Thomas was, but together these 'little somethings' form a composite.)
(4) Do you have a piece of unfinished business related to Thomas? This might be a great spot to tidy it up in public...
(5) And finally, maybe you have a question about Thomas. This could be a general question for noone in particular, or it could be specific. In the latter case, name the person directly and link to their website if you can. In a lot of cases I think certain people could ask really terrific questions about certain things Thomas did - questions that would illuminate topics we'd all love to hear, but don't know to ask. And then of course, once the question is asked, I think some neat answers will follow.
That's it for suggestions on generating some 'little somethings.'
Logistically, let's lay out a few ground rules. Post your choice of the above to (1) your own blog or website (2) the comments at the bottom of this post (3) both of the above or (4) somewhere else (that I haven't thought of here) is fine too.
The only rules are simple:
- keep it civil
- tell the truth, even if no one will know if that 'really happened or not;' this isn't an excuse to fabricate or sugarcoat
- at the bottom of your contribution, include the memetag "This is a contribution to 'A Little Something about Thomas Leonard"
Optionally:
- you can link back to this post or another person's contribution, so as to create a visible web through which visitors can easily navigate (the memetag should make these searchable over time, but including an actual link creates a stronger bond among contributions.)
- after posting, invite another person or persons to participate, to keep the experiment growing outward in as many directions as possible
At first I thought to make it 5 Things About Thomas Leonard, but I think that's constrictive to those who may only have a thing or two. So let's keep it open that way and just see where this goes, shall we?
I'll get us started:
Here's a little something about Thomas Leonard I'd like to share:
(1) "Biggest Contribution"
I think the greatest contribution he made to the coaching world was sizing up and seizing the opportunity of the Internet. Some people say Thomas invented coaching which is actually not true. But he did set the bar when it came to popularizing coaching in the online context.
I remember nodding my head vigorously when I overhead David Goldsmith once say, something like (apologies if I misquote you David, please correct if so) "I once asked Thomas whether he was more excited about Coaching or the Internet and it seemed to me he was almost more excited about the possibilities of the Internet."
It's not that he wasn't excited about coaching, just that the convergence of the enormous Internet boom and all the coaching content he was creating...THAT was really what caused the 'big bang' effect that so many people refer to when they think of Thomas and CoachVille.
(2) "Loveliest Thank You"
I have three cards from Thomas that have his very scrawly handwriting in them written in his favorite blank ink pen he so famously tested. (Apparently he bought tons of types of paper and tons of types of pen and picked his favorites, only to never buy any other kind ever...)
Of the cards, there is a thank you card that says "Andrea, thanks for all you do, especially the things I don't know about. Thomas"
The other one simply says "Have a Merry, Thomas" but the pre-printed inscription in it's been appended. Where it says 'Goodwill towards Men' he's scribbled in 'and women.'
And the third says "Andrea, thanks for sticking with me/us/it. Thomas"
"Thanks for all you do, especially the things I don't know about" is, I think, one of the loveliest thank you's ever, and I try to give it sometimes myself. It really gets to the heart of a person.
And here are a few of the (face it, many) questions I've always wanted to ask:
(1) For Sandy Vilas - how did Thomas come to approach you when he'd decided to sell Coach U? when? and why did he say he wanted to sell it? what was the arrangement and what made you buy it? So many things I could see asking Sandy... :-)
(2) For Shirley Anderson - on Thomas' old website, he said something like 'Shirley Anderson, who I listen to just barely enough.' What did he mean, exactly, do you think? What advice is he alluding to that he sort of ignored?? :-) Also, how and when did you first meet?
(3) For whoever was student #1 at Coach U - I've heard that people used to be very proud of their student number at Coach U. "Back in the day" it was apparently a status thing. :-) Curiously though I've never heard who was student #1 - maybe it was Thomas himself, giving himself a student number? Does anyone know?
(4) For Steve Davis - what was the Internet Marketing conference you and he attended in the spring of 2001? Was it Carl Garletti, the copywriter? When I met Carl he said he knew Thomas and that Thomas had demanded a refund from the conference, apparently in a very rude way, lol. What can you say about this, Steve?
I think you of all people would have an insight into the moments when Thomas was putting 2 and 2 together and coming up with CoachVille, yet we haven't heard the story...please, won't you tell a little something... :-)
Updated 4/2/2007: To keep this little bit of goodness going, I'm going to reach out and tag a few people:
And finally just one piece of unfinished business for now:
Multiple Streams of Coaching Income and R&R Business Development are pleased to present the following 3 new course offerings for Business Coaches.
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Early-bird seating is available for a very limited number of registrants, so act fast if you're that way inclined. :) That said, the full-price for the training is affordable by any standard. Click here to view the descriptions directly at Richard's website, or use the appropriate links below.
See you in class!
-----begin class descriptions-----
Class #3001 Getting Hired | The 9 Most Frequently-Occurring Challenges In Small Businesses
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> Nine fresh approaches for problem solving and coaching competency specific to the small business arena.
> The ability to apply coaching to situations beyond what you currently work on with business owners.
> Increased viability of your coaching business as your pool of prospective clients grows
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Time: 4:00 P.M. Eastern, USA for one hour
Price: $127.00 for the first 3 registrants. $167.00 thereafter. Class size is limited and course content will not be repeated in 2007.
In addition to the 3 full-hour sessions by conference line, your course fee includes class notes and audio recordings. The only additional cost you will incur is long-distance charges to dial into the conference line. However if you opt to listen to the recordings later via the internet, you will not incur these charges.
Register early to secure your seat.
----
In addition to solving all their business related problems, many clients need your advice on dealing with feelings of alienation and stress. Your depth as a coach matters, and here is where your coaching can have the most lasting impact.
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This class shows how to cross the gap between what you may be hired for (overtly) and where you are needed most. Treating the roots of issues in addition to the business symptoms.
The overt benefits from this class are:
> Clarity and comfort with the process of guiding your client toward a deeper purpose of coaching.
>How to help the client access both the business and personal elements of lasting success.
>The ability to overcome objections to crossing the line between business and personal.
>Familiarity with the language business owners can understand, when it comes to inner work.
Dates: 3 Mondays - April 9, 16 and 23, 2007
Time: 12:00 noon, eastern, USA for one hour
Price: $ 127.00 for the first 3 registrants only. 167.00 thereafter. Class size is limited and course content will not be repeated in 2007.
In addition to the 3 full-hour sessions by conference line, your course fee includes class notes and audio recordings. The only additional cost you will incur is long-distance charges to dial into the conference line. However if you opt to listen to the recordings later via the internet, you will not incur these charges.
Register early to secure your seat.
-----
Class # 3111 - 7 Universal Success Factors How A Coach Can Improve Any Small Business
The more you understand the nature of successful organizations, the more assured you are of affecting growth and improving the performance of your client and his or her business. The 7 most important success factors affect any organization regardless of its mission, products, services or market.
Once you know how, you can use simple conversation for discovery, analysis and planning. This course provides a structured, repeatable and reliable approach to improving productivity, direction and long-term success of your clients' businesses.
The overt benefits of this 3-session offering are:
> Meaningful business insights to provoke your client.
> Action steps you can coach within any small business environment.
> Proven growth initiatives so your coaching is always tied to concrete results.
Dates: 3 Mondays, September 10, 17 and 24, 2007
Time: 12:00 noon eastern, USA, for one hour.
Price: $ 127.00 for the first 3 registrants only. $167.00 thereafter. Class size is limited.
In addition to the 3 full-hour sessions by conference line, your course fee includes class notes and audio recordings. The only additional cost you will incur is long-distance charges to dial into the conference line. However if you opt to listen to the recordings later via the internet, you will not incur these charges.
---end course descriptions---
Additional Incentive for registrants in all 3 courses: A business book selected by me (Andrea) after reviewing your website, if you have one, and shipped to your address.
To qualify for this additional gift, take action to register for all 3 course offerings together (as opposed to one at a time throughout the year.)
Once you've done this, simply send your receipt to me via ericka@msoci.com with 'Business Book Selection CF Richard Reardon' in the subject line. Include your website address and I will select your book.
If you don't have a website send a description in your email about what your plans are for a web presence (or not.) I'll base my book selection for you on what you send, so send me what you think will help me understand where you're at. Until then...
Posted to Advanced Coaching Group | For Coaches | Offerings/Activities | Thomas Leonard | Tools & How To
Appropros of my recent post on the value of speed in your business is this follow-on question:
"If speed is good, how do I get fast?"
Well, one way is to practice. One of the remaining artifacts I have from working with Thomas Leonard to build CoachVille and the Graduate School of Coaching is a tiny yellow post-it note.
On it in black marker are 3 words:
2 Second Rule
The 2-Second Rule was something Thomas had me implement. It meant "answer every email in no more than 2 seconds." If it takes you longer than 2 seconds to do something with, Andrea, delete it.
(To which, as an aside, I resisted saying - 'even emails from you, Thomas?' LOL.)
In any case, I still have it. I remember practicing it. Although doing *every* email in 2 seconds is a stretch (what great coaching challenge isn't?) it does help.
Try it. You might like it. It was part of the 'culture' that was CoachVille and Thomas, and It's now part of the way we keep things moving around these parts - fast, decisive, to-the-point email management that acknowledges some emails just aren't worth the time/energy to handle. Better off to just junk them, right off the bat.
Thank you to the ICF-Region 2 Virtual Community for their recent call with guest Susan Austin on the topic of 'What it was like to work with Thomas Leonard.'
There is no recording, but the call notes are a unique insight into the topic, as well as exposure to Susan's inimitable style and frankness which I hope we'll continue to see more of.
If you'd like to become part of this Virtual Community with its attendant benefits, visit the ICF Virtual Community Chapter here or the Yahoo! group site for this group can be found by clicking here.
Now here are the notes:
Thomas Leonard would have been 50 on July 31, 2005.
On this occasion, whether behind closed doors or on more public forums, there have been three kinds of conversation:
(1) The misty-eyed remembering him conversation.
(2) The 'are we still talking about Thomas?' conversation.
(3) The 'Thomas who?' conversation.
Because of having been his Chief Operating Officer (CoachVille and Schools of Coaching) at the time of his death, I get asked a lot for 'stories' or something about Thomas that 'the rest of us didn't know about.'
Know what an Inkle is?
It's a hint of what's to come, even before it hits your intuition. Like from 'inkling.'
A blazing blog entry was posted tonight by Susan T. Austin, Thomas Leonard's closest friend and right-hand woman.
On the one year anniversary of the day he passed away, she writes bluntly about how the minutes passed the day he died. If you have questions about what happened, this is the only place you'll hear the real story being told.
Note: It's a powerful post, and depending how well you knew Thomas, likely to be painful. Written in the indomitable style of the woman so many of us call friend, thank you Susan.
This one is for posterity folks, click to read.
It's been nearly a year since Thomas Leonard passed away. (February 11, 2003.)
And what makes me most pensive about his absence isn't missing him personally, although I do.
Click the link to access a downloadable PDF:
http://www.andreajlee.com/thomas.pdf
February 2007 (1) January 2007 (1) August 2006 (1) August 2005 (1) July 2005 (1) March 2004 (1) February 2004 (2)