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Leadership Mentoring: real support for real leaders

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Following are comments from Kodi Aubert related to how I have supported her over the years as she has grown into ministry leadership:

I have had the pleasure of knowing Jim for almost 30 years.  As a young mom of two small children, Jim was instrumental in recognizing my skills and gifts beyond being a “mommy” and encouraging me to use them in a ministry capacity within our church.  He provided many opportunities for me to participate in areas that not only felt comfortable to me but also helped me to stretch into other areas of ministry where he could see my potential.  I believe that his encouraging guidance in those early years directly impacted my choice of career today.

Recently, when I needed some wisdom and clarity in a business situation, I again contacted Jim for his expertise in non-profits and church relations.  He remains current in his Christian worldview and is one of the best listeners I know.  I am blessed to call him a friend.

Kodi Aubert, Director Birchwood Preschool, Bellingham WA

Helping others grow, serve, live and lead is my passion. Please contact me and we can begin the process of helping you move toward your desired future.

Jim@jimschmotzer.com

360.224.4974

Reflecting on 2012

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Following are my year-end reflections from catapult magazine:

2011 was a year of drastic change for me. Some family members and friends were also caught in the fall out, some by choice, others by proximity. I tried to gather my thoughts when I wrote “Ten things I didn’t expect in 2011” for catapult a year ago.

Part of the uniqueness of my transition was moving away from “full-time ministry.” For over thirty years, some ministry paid me. Camp, church and campus setting were all part of my career path. Ministries have full, specific calendars. The lines between work and personal are often blurred, at times disappearing. Now I look back on a full year in this new place. All significant dates and events have been passed at least once.

So, here are some of my thoughts after a full year on this side of my most recent life upheaval.

follow this link for the rest of the story: https://www.catapultmagazine.com/ten-things-6/article/ten-things-i-experienced-in-2012

Thanks for the support Marty, oh, & Happy Birthday!

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Working with Marty was great fun, becoming friends for the long haul is a true gift. Following are his recent words of support, and yes tomorrow (1.3) is his birthday!

Having known and worked with Jim for 15 years, I can wholeheartedly recommend him to you for organizational leadership consulting, life coaching, or personal mentoring. 

In my experience, working under Jim’s management for a few years was a great time for me to see and learn about strong servant leadership. He values collaboration within the work group and during those years he made every effort to build up the team by allowing each of us to utilize our personal skills, thereby underpinning the organization with the appropriate people in just the right positions (whether we knew it at the time, or not!). While completely attuned to caring for the larger organization we worked for, including making the tough decisions and hard calls, one of Jim’s greatest attributes is his genuine and deep care for the individual. In addition to his friendship, I have also carried with me the excellent living example I picked up from watching and listening to him throughout those years on his staff, applying it to both my professional and personal life.

Marty Lunde, PhD, University of Edinburgh, Edmonds WA

Jim & Marty at a retreat a few years back.

Ending on a high note

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Thanks for all of your encouragement, friendship and business in 2012, the first full year of service for Jim Schmotzer & associates. It is great to be able to continue to serve and help so many.

Please contact me to further explore ways in which I can support you in life and leadership either personally or organizationally.

I look forward to continuing our connections as we travel together through 2013.

 

Jim

jimschmotzer.com

Support from a friend & Christmas concert info too!

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Dana Little recently offered these words of support: 

For over a decade, it’s been a cinch to consider Jim Schmotzer as a mentor as I’ve navigated life, work, and my ongoing pursuit of music and art. Over the years, though my roles have been many (student, intern, receptionist, office manager, musician, songwriter and teacher), Jim has been a constant support and steady encourager through the seasons, changes, goal-setting and decision-making. Specifically, I have had the opportunity to be mentored by Jim as a musician in a band, a solo artist, and in my professional pursuits. In each case, and in every meeting with Jim, I gained new perspective, clear direction, and a hearty dose of hope. He has a way of shedding light on darkness, and a knack for making sense out of confusion. Without a doubt, his wisdom, coaching and patient way of encouraging movement forward has been a game-changer for me.

 Dana Little, Musician & Teacher, Seattle WA

Dana will be in Bellingham this week for a Christmas concert with Sanoma. Check out the details here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/436262339760732/

A Sanoma Christmas with special guest Dana Little

 

We’ve never done it this before, transition to adulthood

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Following is a re-posting related to the significant work of helping adolescents (and their families) with the Transition to Adulthood:

One of the Great questions of our day is, “When is someone an adult?” We seem to have no clear rite of passage. Old expectations and timelines have lost their power. Those transitioning from adolescence into and through their twenties are entering a new, unknown world of pressures, opportunities and expectations.

Cultural shifts, technological advances and financial uncertainties have resulted in a general fog of understanding related to becoming adult today.

How do young adults navigate in a world of unending options, high expectations and confusing messages? How do parents help prepare and support their children in becoming adult?

Having spent many years working directly with young adults and their parents it may be helpful to get an outside perspective.

A healthy goal for parents to set early is one related to, “establishing a sense of family that will result in positive adult to adult (after the kids are grown) relationships.”

Some of the factors to consider in understanding the situation are:

  • We seem to lack any clear “rite of passage”
  • Culture is shifting quickly
  • “Extended adolescence” seems to be the new reality
  • The system that parents “became adult” in is likely ineffective to meet the needs of today’s young adults
  • The transition has implications for the entire family

Possible responses for exploration with a coach are:

  • Gain an understanding – of the uniqueness of the family and its members
  • While the young person is in high school – consider post-high school options, balance of dreams and practical realities
  • Post-high school – be intentional about relationships, decision making, support realities (financial and other)
  • Beyond – exploration of expectations related to (as appropriate) career, location, getting established and marriage

A life coach can help all involved 1) evaluate their unique family dynamics, 2) define an agreed upon hoped for future for the family, 3) establish a plan for supporting each other on the journey and 4) providing alongside support on the way.

Contact me to begin working together for the good of the entire family. https://jimschmotzer.com/services/life-coaching

 

Thanks Caity!

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I have know Catiy Kepler for over a decade. We have worked together in a variety of settings on numerous projects. She is in process of a major education/career shift. Following are Caity’s words of support:

As my mentor, Jim has the inherent ability to ask the exact right questions I have needed to hear in the moment. He has the wisdom to see what should be dealt with immediately and what should be reflected on for longer periods of time. After having a mentoring conversation with Jim, I am always amazed at how he was able to bring clarity and thought to details I hadn’t even realized I needed to think through. Plus he always continues to show genuine encouragement and interest as I’ve taken steps to improve my life and work towards my goals. And somehow knowing Jim is in my corner always makes those steps just a little bit easier to attempt.

 Caity Kepler

During the month of December I am offering a 20% discount for new clients. Please contact me To arrange Life Coaching and/or Leadership Mentoring.

Jim Schmotzer

jim@jimschmotzer.com

360.224.4974

Let’s make it simple, a discount for December

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December can be both hectic and expensive. It can also be a good time to reflect on the year that is ending and get ready for the one on the horizon. That’s where I would like to help. For the month of December I am offering new clients a 20% discount on fees for Life Coaching and Leadership Mentoring. Please contact me and we can get the process moving forward.

Jim

jim@jimschmotzer.com

360.224.4974

Reasons not to start (or continue) an intern program

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Here’s my best attempt to undermine my need for new clients. As much as I’d like to help your organization start an intern program this post is focused on reasons not to host interns.

  • We need somebody (somebody cheap) to do our dirty work!
  • We need more staff and we need it for less dollars!
  • We need to teach young people how to do it the “right way!”
  • We need to impress others!

Simply put interns are something uniquely other than another employee. They are in a part learning, part participating role. It is necessary to “get” this nuance to do internships well.

Interns will cost you and interns will be a benefit to your organization. My desire is to come alongside organizations and help them make a genuine, concerted effort to develop interns and internships a part of your greater organizational system and culture.

Please contact me to explore next steps together.

Jim

jim@jimschmotzer.com

360.224.4974