Leading with Charisma: Design Your Life.

Coach Dawn — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:13:12 +0000

Into week three and I am getting clear on my vision! Every week the LWC classes are designed to teach us powerful women new ways of living, thinking, and doing and each class prepares us for the next. Last week we started some mind mapping and this week we put it to good use, creating a vision. What I found most interesting about this class was the deep thought we were all in as we mapped out what we want our challenges to look like. It was a feeling of being transparent and owning what we struggle with inside. It might sound scary, but I cannot express in enough words just how liberating this process was. When the pen hits the paper, it is much like the rubber hitting the road; the real deal and it’s time to start moving forward.

Forward? To what? VISION! What I envision my life, career and home life looking like. I am coach and I can easily coach someone else through his or her challenges, set goals, hold them accountable and praise them for all their accomplishments. However, I would rather all of that come from an authentic place of experience. I do not want to be a “do as I say” person, but rather an “I am a creator and here is how I can best serve as your friend, coach or companion.” I am still crafting my vision and will be ready to share it with my group next week. Another step in my forward movement, staying accountable, and owning who I am, what I want and how I will get there!

Tara Raj
Live Authentically

Leading with Charisma in person class is still bringing it!

Coach Dawn — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:08:19 +0000

Last week we focused on strategic thinking and mind mapping. At first, I thought, “How will strategic think help me in everyday life?” Then I wondered, “What is this mind mapping all about. I make lists!” Here is what I learned: strategic thinking is having an organized and structured approach to a systematic process, assumptions, outcomes and thoughts to reaching your goals. That easy –ha! No really it is. I feel like I am thinking in random spurts and more often than not I make my lists and then fall short on completing them. Why? Because I was not thinking strategically and not because I did not want to, but because I was not aware it was a way of thinking. This helped me to become more clear on the HOW to get what I want. In this class, we participated in a game of chess. I never played chess before so it was good thing that part of the class homework was to learn a little bit about the game. STRATEGIC THINKING in FULL play! I had a goal, but it was the strategic thinking that helped me to be clear on the HOW to get to my goal, WINNING!

Now, mind mapping helps this process by allowing the brain to write down the thoughts in a similar way that it thinks them. We do not think linear so to write our steps out in a linear format makes it harder for the brain to process and react strategically.

This class was a great way for me to refocus my thinking in a way that creates more action towards and around my goals. I want to get to a place where my “lists” become complete and this is another step forward for me! Thanks again Dawn!

Tara Raj
Live Authentically

Leading with Charisma Flight Two and I’m still on my path.

Coach Dawn — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:05:06 +0000

May 18, 2010 I was driving to class; excited to get started on the second flight of the Leading with Charisma and like the many classes before I walked in to see the smiling faces of my classmates. This session was about setting your path. PERFECT because right now, that is what I need. We started with a recap of the first flight, then pulled out our DISC assessments and got to work. I really enjoy the exercises because they get my mind going; thinking. I love to hear the other women in class share their thoughts and stories. I am partnered with a woman that I simply find delightful and look forward to sharing our development wins.

As always, Dawn is the light that gets us thinking and moves us forward. She is an amazing support shoulder and has a way of holding that space for us to be transparent without judgment. Her classes have been a vehicle for me to look deep down, be curious and take intentional action.

My take away was learning more about my high “D” behavioral style and how important it is to how I live and interact with others. The more I am aware of my strengths and behaviors the more comfortable I am showing up in the world simply as me.

Until next week, live well!

Tara Raj, Live Authentically

LWC Flight Two! Setting Your Path

Coach Dawn — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:21:04 +0000

One of the things I love about coaching others as well as being coached is the non-judgmental space a person has to reflect in. In Tuesday night’s class we talked about strategic thinking; leaders vs. managers, and strengths; recognizing and over using them. As a participant in Dawn’s Leading with Charisma class, I allow myself to step out of my “coach” frame of mind and be a student. Through this process, I tapped into my strengths and how I might over use them in certain situations. I also learned how I could better interact or collaborate with others based on their strengths. I love the energy that is created from the LWC classes and the women in my class are simply wonderful. Dawn has a beautiful way of gliding us into each topic and giving us background to understand and room to soar. I look forward to my Tuesday nights!

Tara Raj
Live Authentically

Soaring with Charisma; another exciting class, more thought provoking discussion and new self-discoveries!

Coach Dawn — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:24:17 +0000

This class talked about a six-letter word that affects the masses! This word is so powerful that it can literally tear a person down physically, mentally and emotionally: STRESS. It is amazing how this word affects each of us in ways we may not even be aware. The thing is, stress is all around us in so many forms such as media, work, family, friends, school, personal conflicts and the list can go on. What is essential to a person’s well being, is effectively managing their stress. The exercises the group did was geared toward identifying their stressors, understanding where the stress is coming from, then managing it.

Each week I look forward to a new class and each week Dawn never lets me down. The energy that the women create, the conversation that unfolds and more importantly the growth that I see right before my eyes as each woman in the room comes into her own. So far have been fortunate to be a part of the process by participating in some fashion; I have to say that it has helped me to see things from a different perspective and I am learning. It is great to be a part of a program that helps women to create better awareness and give them the tools to tap into their inner strength and leader abilities.

I do not know what the next class holds, but I have no doubts that Dawn will deliver a powerful curriculum that will surpass my expectations.

Tara Raj

Live Authentically

This is an amazing program!

Coach Dawn — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 00:20:15 +0000

Dawn Leitner, President of Coach U2 Lead approached me with the opportunity to collaborate with her on her program called Leading with Charisma. I was intrigued by the name, so naturally I wanted to know more. What I found out was that this program was right up my coaching alley! This empowerment program was full of tools that help to enable women to connect with who they are and what they want out of their lives. Hello! Live Authentically is my company name and what Dawn is offering to women is exactly what I coach my clients on; living from the inside out!

As part of our collaboration to work together I am attending her Soaring with Charisma “in person” classes as an observer. I was blown away by the power in the classroom. Watching the women in this class is amazing! This past Tuesday the group talked about their fears. It was powerful to see these women deep in thought and completely transform the way they looked at their fears. The creative exercises they were asked to participate in helped them to get to the heart of what they fear in life and helped them to question more around why they have these fears.

As a coach I am familiar with this process as well as comfortable with speaking my fears aloud. What I was not prepared for was the hit in the head I got out of this class. I too worked the exercises and realized that I can hold myself more accountable for why I have my own fears. This class also gave me more options to deal with them. It was a great experience and I look forward to what Dawn has in store for the group next week!

Soaring with Charisma is a phenomenal program for all women! If you are stuck, going through a life transition or want to kick your life up a notch I recommend taking this program. Right now Soaring with Charisma, Flight One in person program is offered, with Flight Two starting in May. On the horizon is a new series called, Taking Flight, a live interactiveonline program that parallels the teachings of Soaring with Charisma. – Tara Raj, owner of Live Authentically

Dawn Leitner speaking at the UNC Charlotte Women’s Leadership Conference

Coach Dawn — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:29:27 +0000

Dawn will be presenting two break out sessions “Presenting Yourself with Ease” and “How to Maximize Your Strengths” at the 2010 Women’s Leadership Conference on Saturday, March 20, 2010.

Soaring with Charisma Program Begins March 16th!

Coach Dawn — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:26:44 +0000

The second year of the in person empowerment program for women called “Soaring with Charisma” kicks off the first Flight March 16th. To learn more about the program or to register (limited seating!), click here

Online Class Test Run – Taming a Woman’s 5 Stessors

Coach Dawn — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:12:12 +0000

Test Run “Taming a Woman’s 5 Stress Magnets”

Interested in participating for FREE in this final test run of the 90 Minute –interactive workshop? Contact us at 704-543-1564 or email: dawn@coachu2lead.com

The Give and Take of Feedback – Women With Know How eMagazine!

Coach Dawn — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:22:26 +0000

Check out the November 2009 issue of “Women With Know How” – this month’s article from Dawn is “The Give and Take of Feedback”. Click here to view the article