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Hello, Melissa here! Are you feeling stuck and desiring a change? It is a sentiment that many of us experience at some point in our lives. It's that unsettling sensation that nudges us to break free from the monotony and explore new horizons. If you find yourself resonating with these emotions, then you're not alone. For years, I too grappled with similar messages that continuously whispered in the depths of my mind. However, I decided to take charge of my life, turning my t

Myth or Urban Legend? In today's fast-paced and highly demanding work environment, the concept of work-life balance has become more important than ever. One popular topic that often arises in discussions around employee well-being is the idea of a PTO (Paid Time Off) culture. Some view it as a mythical concept, a mere urban legend whispered among employees seeking respite from their demanding schedules. But is it truly a myth, or could it be a powerful tool for promoting wel

Have a little fun with your team this summer! Outdoor Scavenger Hunt : Organize a scavenger hunt that takes your team through a local park or city. Include challenges that require teamwork and problem-solving skills. Pool Party: Host a pool party with games and activities that encourage team bonding, such as pool volleyball, relay races, and a synchronized swimming competition. Nature Hike and Picnic: Plan a group hike in a local park or nature reserve, followed by a pic

We created Coaching on Demand™ to expand Coaching in organizations. Not everyone needs a full-time Coach, but Coaching can be essential to help leaders and team members work through difficult challenges. Staffing shortages, turnover and burnout are real issues across many industries and it is taking its toll on mental wellbeing. We see Human Resource department stretched thin and leaders trying to keep all the balls in the air. Coaching on Demand™ offers leaders just-in-time

The saying “time flies” is very real when looking at the calendar. It feels like we were just celebrating year-end and yet, here we are, ready to jump into Q2 2023! To create more intention with your time, here are 5 questions to reflect on your first quarter successes and prepare for what is to come in Q2. What did I accomplish personally and professionally in Q1? Take pride in the first 3 months of this year! What major accomplishments did you achieve? What personal wins

I remember that day well. It was a Sunday in the spring. My husband and I left church and headed to the grocery store before heading home. In the parking lot, I got the call from my boss. As his business partner, I had been working with him over the past month to reorganize the department, which I was a part of. In the reorganization, I initiated a change that eliminated my position. I knew I wanted something different. It was time to leave the organization I had been a part

With so many of our beliefs and assumptions being challenged over the past two years, the role of coaching in organizations should also be challenged. Traditionally, organizations have invested in coaching practices to support performance and development. But building a coaching culture is the fabric of a healthy, strong, and thriving organization. This goes well beyond managing performance and supporting development. Coaching is at the heart of engagement, overall well-bein

I work with a lot of leaders in various organizations.  One thing I hear repeatedly, regardless of industry or size of organization is: “We have a lot of meetings around here”.  A common concern I hear from many of my high performing clients is their calendars are so blocked with meetings that they need to do work outside of work hours.  This can leave people frustrated, resentful and unproductive.  Not good energy. Meetings are important because, by definition, a meeting is

Melissa has an MBA and is a leader in a Fortune 500 global business. Melissa’s business background, strong coaching skills, and passion to help others make her a great fit for the ithrive31 coaching team. She joins the team as a Leadership and Transition Coach and will do both personal coaching and leadership coaching. Here’s a little more about Melissa’s love of coaching and why she joined ithrive31. What was your response to coaching for the first time? My first experienc

What a challenging time it is for leaders in the middle of “the great resignation.” Many reasons prompt people to look for new paths, and this creates a challenging environment for leaders who are trying to hold it all together. It is one thing to read about it, but it becomes very real when I hear the personal impact from clients, friends, and family in leadership roles. For leaders experiencing turnover in their teams, here are some things to pay attention to: 1. Take care

Hello! I am Monica Converse, the new head of operations, and I am excited to be part of the growing ithrive31® team. I would like to take a moment and share a little bit about myself and the personal impact ithrive31 coaching had for me. Finding a Career Direction—at 18 Before diving in, I have a question for you: Do you really know what you want to do professionally in your life? I have always thought it was a bit unfair that as an 18-year-old, you are expected to choose a

If you’re wondering what to expect from an ithrive31® small-group coaching  opportunity, watch Beth Strobel’s insights into her own coaching experience. Beth shares the structure of the weekly coaching sessions and her personal takeaways from the experience. Watch the short video and let Beth describe how she benefited from the strategic focus on key coaching concepts and discussions of challenges and opportunities in her own organization. She also points out the value of th

It’s time to shine. Kick summer off by setting achievable goals that lead to long-term success. Remember, it’s summer, and that brings a different attitude. Your goals should reflect the season and be a springboard into the next. This handy acronym helps you remember valuable concepts as you set your goals, make progress, and achieve milestones throughout the summer. BRITE stands for: Balanced When setting goals consider all areas of your life. Use the ithrive31® model of w

Some of the things I hear a lot when coaching managers is: “I want to develop my team, but I don’t have any time.”  “I am so consumed with the day-to-day that I cannot focus on the strategic planning for my department.” “I wish my team would step-up and take on more.” What managers fail to realize is that they create some of their own problems by making too many decisions.  By assuming the primary decision-making role, managers fail to develop capabilities that free up their

Love is in the air this time of year, but here’s a question that may make some people cringe, “Does love have a place in business?” Love is not a word used in a lot of company mission statements. Nor is it spoken frequently in business hallways or corporate boardrooms. It’s really not a word that people are comfortable using in a business context. But let’s pause and look at a couple definitions of LOVE. Noun:  A great interest or pleasure in something Verb:  To like or enjo

Executive presence is a term that gets used a lot within organizations, yet it can often be difficult to measure.  Why?  Because it is subjective, filled with bias and depends on the context of the organization and the assessor.  Sometimes described as the “it” factor, this quality is commonly used in succession planning discussions, leadership development programs and career development plans as important criteria when considering advancement. As a coach that prepares lea

Over the last four days, in honor of INTERNATIONAL COACHING WEEK, I have shared real situations where coaching has made a big impact.   Coaching can help you: Get Unstuck – Read Kim’s story on feeling stuck and desiring a new challenge Gain Clarity –Read Joe’s story on working through conflict with his boss Reach New Heights --  Read Bill’s story on being stretched in a new assignment Ensure Accountability – Read Cindy’s story on developing personal accountability   Today’s

In honor of INTERNATIONAL COACHING WEEK, every day this week I will be sharing real stories of situations where coaching has made a big impact.  Cindy’s Story:  Cindy is a rockstar professional businesswoman. She is creative, driven and self-motivated. Like most high performers, Cindy does it all and has multiple irons in the fire. Her challenge was staying on top of everything and meeting the high expectations she has of herself. As a working mom, she balances the craziness

I n honor of INTERNATIONAL COACHING WEEK, every day this week I will be sharing real stories of situations where coaching has made a big impact.  Bill’s Story:  Bill was an outstanding performer and was recently promoted to a mid-level management position. The company had total confidence in Bill and he was excited for the opportunity.  In this role, he would be supervising people who were previously his peers. Additionally, as a younger leader, Bill would be supervising peop

In honor of INTERNATIONAL COACHING WEEK, every day this week I will be sharing real stories of situations where coaching has made a big impact.  Joe’s Story Joe was a Sales Director at a technology company and was struggling with his boss.  Joe and his boss had very similar personality styles and were both highly competitive individuals.  This was causing a great deal of angst for both of them. Tensions were rising.  Unfortunately, this escalated into a couple heated meetings