Alan
The real strength that Lisa brings is starting with the foundation of who you are and what kind of leader you want to be. She helps you develop a philosophy to make you a better independent leader.
Karen
With Lisa’s help, I was able to resolve a long-simmering conflict on my team, and as a result, our project completion rate has doubled. Now everyone works together and we’re getting a lot more done.
Adam
With Lisa, our employees have developed important skills like taking responsibility, understanding group dynamics, and how to have difficult conversations. We’re a better organization for her help.
Betsy
In 4 weeks, my team has made more progress with your coaching than we did with my last coach in over 7 months. Thank you, Lisa!
Ethan
Lisa helped me realize some things about myself that were limiting how effective I was. When she shared her observations, I could see things I didn’t realize before and that was enormously helpful.
Shannon
Without regular coaching calls, I think I would have been floundering. Lisa helped me identify what I really care about, and then guided me to a professional pathway that aligns with my values.
Which Emotional Intelligence Skills Drive High Performance?
Lisa D. Foster, Leadership Coach & Trainer
My mission is to help leaders create high-performing teams through emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the number one predictor of high performance. Studies indicate that emotional intelligence accounts for up to 90% of leadership effectiveness.
In my own work as a coach and before that, as an entrepreneur, I’ve seen the difference emotional intelligence skills make in to improve team performance. I know how frustrating it is when errors happen far too frequently, when they lack key skills, when they get distracted by conflict. I’m a former entrepreneur and I’ve been there. I know how it feels when people don’t perform they way I had hoped they would.
I was first to market starting up a company to bring reusable grocery bags to the US. As a high school English teacher, I spent my first year in business standing on the staircase overlooking the faculty parking lot cold-calling. I sold a quarter of a million bags. So, I quit teaching and in my second year, I sold 2 million bags. In my third year, I sold 8 million bags and became a top nationwide supplier. I stayed at the top for over 12 years, managed key accounts, a global supply chain, marketing and financials, and then I sold the business.
To be sure, I made leadership mistakes. When I started out, I used a classic command-and-control leadership style, I told my team what to do. In response, they waited around for me to tell them what to do. I didn’t want to micromanage them, but they didn’t do much of anything unless they had a directive from me. Productivity and morale were low. Frustration and turnover were high.
So, I stopped being a boss and decided to become a leader. I listened more than I talked. I empathized with my team’s problems and believed in them to solve them. I dedicated myself to their success. Performance soared.
After I sold the company, I published a book about my experience and gave a TEDx Talk. I became a coach to help other people find the same success I did by developing emotional intelligence skills.
Nine out of ten startups fail. I beat the odds because I had emotional intelligence, and you can too.
If you are ready to create the conditions for high performance in your organization, I can help.
I’ll assess your team and company culture, and help you develop a customized plan to increase your organization’s overall performance.
What I Learned About Leadership
Here’s what I learned as an entrepreneur: acting like a leader initiates a cycle of trust, leading to high performance. Acting like a boss initiates a cycle of mistrust, leading to stagnation and low morale.
Looking back, I’d rather be a leader than a boss any day. If you want to start being a leader right now, read my article in Forbes.
Now I put my leadership and emotional intelligence experience to work in service of my clients, helping them become high impact, high performing leaders.
Reduce errors in your workplace.
Help your team increase their key skills.
Resolve conflicts and in-fighting.
Find out how developing emotional intelligence can increase your organization’s performance and profit.
Not ready to chat? Email me at Lisa@lisadfostercoach.com.
