An Interview With Gary Wood

TLA - Gary, we know that distance learning and phone conferencing is on a steep growth curve in corporate America. What are the real advantages? 

GARY - Bringing colleagues from across the country or around the world together on the phone means that travel, accommodation and meeting costs are avoided. The advantage of leveraging full schedules efficiently translates to effective use of time. It aligns with the speed and effectiveness that technology has allowed us to expect.

TLA - At Key Coaching Solutions, the approach is based on a "Shared Knowledge" model. What does that mean?

GARY - Shared knowledge stands in contrast to a lecture format. Lecture moves only one way. People talk, others listen, with limited interaction. What we do is build on the wisdom of the group. For instance, last month we had an International Roundtable for Christian leaders. Those attending came from various disciplines. No one lectured. We simply put out a question, gave some background and a few opening comments and let the group begin to share. Each leader drew from their knowledge and experience base and most of all it provided opportunity to surface the wisdom of the group. It was co-developmental. These men and women came to the table with vast knowledge and experience. They shared from the context of their experience so others could pick up on it and apply it in their respective businesses or ministries. The benefit is development that is immediately applicable to your own situation. 

TLA - What do you and Judy see as the real potential of your Phone Forums and Roundtables?

GARY - We clearly see the enormous advantages for Christian organizations and businesses collaborating. Valuable connections are made. Two or more participants will connect on a Phone Forum or a Roundtable and begin working together to accomplish something great. Our immediate goals include opening the door of possibilities to our Christian audience, in addition to allowing people to experience the benefits of coaching. We see it. We know the value. We are pioneers in this field of Coaching within the Christian community. Because we are both Christian leaders, it goes beyond just being a business and strikes a chord of passion for playing a cutting edge role in assisting that community. 

TLA - Gary, how does the Coaching fit into this? What exactly do you do, beyond host these phone classes and roundtables?

GARY - Judy and I are trained, certified, professional Coaches. That means Christian leaders, business owners, executives, professionals or any individual can work with us to develop themselves or their organization around any number of issues. We coach people who want to move forward to greater clarity and enhanced effectiveness. We are not consultants. We work privately and confidentially. We've been doing that individually for several years now. Our collaboration means Judy and I can work together to assist whole boards of directors, executive teams, church boards or a group dreaming of something big. Judy and I work well together. Our teamwork allows us to coach all the individuals in a group in addition to working with the whole group. We each bring unique strengths to our partnership. We're excited about the expanded horizon. 

TLA - So, what does the future hold? 

GARY - Judy and I, through people like you and our Ecast, Running On Full, are getting the word out to organizational, church and business leaders, allowing more people to know the benefits of a coaching relationship. We will continue to offer Phone Forums, Roundtables and any other format that proves useful to our audience. We test what we offer and listen carefully to what people say. We want to provide exactly what is needed. That's the power of coaching and the power of our phone technology. We don't plug people into a one size fits all, drive to our seminar format, but rather, tailor to specific needs. It's collaborative. It's cutting edge. We're moving prayerfully and practically to carry out our business mission and to make a positive contribution to the Christian community. 

TLA - Thank you for the clarity Gary.