Tuesday, December 25, 2012

A Christmas Strengths Message!


Last year, Susy and I were coming home from the gym and the grocery store during the Christmas season. We were joyfully singing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Susy is the talented singer in our family who sang in a rock band for 25 years. She has a wonderful voice. Me, not so much. I am the thinker/philosopher who these days gets great joy out of spotting strengths in others. It occurred to me as we finished this Christmas Classic, what a great strengths message this fun carol sends us all, if we are awake to it.

"You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, 

Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen., 

But do you recall 

The most famous reindeer of all?


Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 

Had a very shiny nose, 

And if you ever saw it, 

You could even say it glows. 



All of the other reindeer 

Used to laugh and call him names; 

They never let poor Rudolph 

Join in any reindeer games. 



Then one foggy Christmas Eve, 

Santa came to say: 

Rudolph with your nose so bright, 

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?" 


Then how the reindeer loved him 

As they shouted out with glee, 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, 

You'll go down in history."

Like Rudolph, we all have some special mission to serve in the world. And like Rudolph, we all have some strength that causes us to shine in that work. Some of us have been teased, put down, or excluded for that quality. Like Rudolph, each of us has a season, or as Winston Churchill wrote: “To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents.” Often it’s a problem you were meant to solve or participate in solving. Maybe this is your season, your time to acknowledge your special gift, that special thing you add to the team. Perhaps like Mary, over 2000 years ago, something is quickening inside you. Maybe you are being nudged to participate in some task God has set aside just for you. Merry Christmas!

Coaching, Class, and Collaborator Comments

The Purpose of this letter is to describe the benefits I enjoyed from my coaching experience with Dale Cobb. I had a very specific issue, which I needed help getting over the hump with. Our conversations were very helpful in keeping me on track and getting me to the finish line. I believe that Dale is a keen observer of the human condition and has the ability to reflect back an individuals thoughts and goals as one strives for success. I found the services offered by Dale to be timely and effective. In the future, I am sure I will be presented with challenges that require outside assistance. When that time comes, I will not hesitate to call on Dale for his fresh bright and insightful guidance.

Joe Sexton, Managing Partner, CFR Executive Search, Chicago, Illinois

“Working with Dale has always been rewarding. Dale has always been on the leading edge developing new ways of marketing his products and services. Always willing to try new approaches and follow through... Always convincing.”

Fred Friday, Junk King Franchise Owner, Chattanooga, Tennessee

"Dale has always impressed me with his integrity, marketing insights, compassion and follow through. He thinks outside the box, asks the questions that others fail to ask and has a real heart for training others to be the best they can be. You can count on Dale."

Tim Turner, Owner Turner Strategic, Atlanta, Georgia

“Dale is always the most prepared person in the room. He has the ability to listen and clarify the issue at hand. He is a creative, caring leader. He has always been a joy to work with.”

Beverly Sherman, Owner Creative Connections, Lansing, Michigan

“I would like to take the opportunity to offer my recommendation for Dale Cobb. He has the remarkable ability to clearly listen to a problem, understand the issues and suggest a course of action that satisfies the needs of me and my clients. I cannot tell you how many times his advice was precisely what I needed to close a deal or carefully resolve a difficult situation. He is resourceful and creative in his teaching style. Over all he helped me to be more efficient and successful in my career.”

Michael Ward, Houston, Texas

“Dale gives attention to detail and runs one of the best team meetings I’ve ever seen. He has the keen ability to make complex things seems simple enough that anyone could understand them.”

Elwyn Henderson, Owner-Partner Mosaic Images, Gilmer, Texas

“Thank you for all your time and encouragement. With your advice and direction, I was able to get a decent job offer. They even complimented my resume.”

Ben Davidson, Visalia, CA