Take it from the Ironwoman

By Susanne Mueller

A successful athlete has a coach, a successful business executive needs a coach to be on top of the world with a motivated team. In this book you find 5 STEPS how to get there. Don't do it alone, together it's much easier. One step at a time, one day at a time.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susanne Mueller Consulting
• Release date: Mar 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087898704

Book preview

© 2017 by Susanne Mueller, New York, NY, USA. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

Books may be purchased on-line and by contacting the publisher and author at:  www.susannemueller.biz

Cover Design: Susanne Mueller and Federica Cascia

To protect the privacy of individuals,

the names of all of my coaching clients have been changed.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Praise for the book

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 - Introduction / Five Steps: Strategy, Team & Training, Evaluation, Planning & Execution, Success

Chapter 2 - Strategy - My Formative Years

Pivotal moment

Chapter 3 - Team Building & Team Training

Organizational Training - Nepal

Organizational Training - India – Volunteering and social enterprise for sustainability

Organizational Training - Indonesia - Volunteering for sustainability

Organizational Training - India – stretch your body with your mind

Organizational Training - India – Appreciative Coaching for Business Excellence (ACE)

Organizational Training - Brazil – Human resources conference

Organizational Training - Gramado, southern Brazil – Human resources conference

Organizational Training - Mexico City – Speaking engagement

Organizational Training - Guadalajara, Mexico – University human resources conference

Organizational Training - Latin America – Online teaching experience

Sport and Mental Training

Bringing mental and organizational coaching together

Chapter 4 - Evaluation

Chapter 5 - Planning & Execution

Skydiving

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro

Surfing

Windsurfing on the lake

My Ironman experience

Bringing it all together

Chapter 6 - Success

Chapter 7 - Missing Elements & Solutions

Time

Trust

Comitment of leaders

Solutions - Having a coach

Solutions - Human aspect

About coaching

Teaching

Chapter 8 - Disruptive Thoughts / Transitions

Transition / Bonding

Bonding/gamification/micro-clanning

Mentoring and networking

My daring and disruptive dreaming, thinking, doing

Chapter 9 - Next BIG steps - My TeamUp Experience

Chapter 10 - Epilogue - What not to do

Appendix - The ICF Code of Ethics

Library

Biography

"Dive to the heart of what it takes to be a successful performer. In this book, Susanne teaches how to effectively bring sports strategies to work. Through engaging stories and a smooth writing style, she fuels the passion for adventure and awakens the desire for a new professional challenge." Marco Beghin, Founder, Body Economics, Italy & New York.

"As a coach, we are always looking for different anecdotes to connect with our audience. To personalize an engagement so that it resonates with something in their life and they can draw their own inference from it. This can sometimes be a challenge; a challenge that Susanne has handled with aplomb. She has used her strengths as an Iron Woman and as a business coach to create a fantastic book, which is a must read. A lot of lessons to be learnt and applied." CA. R. Mahesh Iyer, International Leadership Trainer, Gallup and ICF Coach, India.

"A book about running and racing a marathon is always a brilliant idea, but especially a book written by a woman like Susanne, who knows exactly what it means to achieve your goals. It is very inspirational to learn how to succeed, to conquer the finish line, and getting that advice from a woman is like viewing the perspectives from a different angle." Andrea Hollandt, General Manager, Germany & New York.

"Susanne is a caring, compassionate, and talented coach who, I’m proud to say, has generously offered pro bono coaching to Stand Beside Them (SBT) since our nonprofit opened our doors to coach transitioning veterans and military spouses in 2013. In fact, she coached our very first military veteran client; things worked out so well that she went on to coach his spouse, equally successfully! Susanne’s energy and positive outlook are beyond compare!" Stephanie Richmond, Founder & CEO, Stand Beside Them, New York.

"Susanne Mueller has – once again – planned and executed exceptionally well. Her intelligence, determination, endurance and courage are embodied in this book. Think like the pro, be the pro is a guide for anyone who is serious about managing relationships. In turn life, family and friends will treat you with kindness and respect… exactly what Susanne had delivered in this book." George AbiNakad, CEO, Supply Chain FIELD-CONSULT, Dubai, UAE, & USA.

"This book is a most useful tool for those whose goals are certain, but lack the willpower to get there. I also find Susanne Mueller’s technique most helpful: when you are about to give in, but your mind tells you that perseverance is what you must sustain in order to reach the finish line. I never thought that the mindset that can get you to run and even win a marathon can be intelligently put to work in order to build up your own company." Prof. Alejandro M. Garro, Columbia Law School, New York & Argentina.

"What an amazing idea to draw a picture of ‘STEPS’ for making five steps to successful personal development! Susanne’s approach to transfer triathlon training strategies to soft skills and business development manners is really unique. Her talent to inspire people to find their individual applicable way in self-development appears obviously in every single chapter of this book. This book is a true gift to anyone who is looking for an exercisable way of self-progress." Dr. Monika V. Kronbügel (PhD.), CEO of Global DiVisionGmbH, Hamburg, Germany.

"In this inspiring read, Susanne blends together an impressive track record of high performance in sports with a deep understanding of what makes leaders tick. She offers a simple framework to help people outperform themselves by using principles from the sports world. A unique mix with entertaining stories that will surely leave you ready to take action." Gaston Schmitz, Co-Founder, Asian Leadership Institute Consultancy, Team Up, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

"Desde muy pequeño creci leyendo todos los dias un poema de Almafuerte, colgado en el comedor diario, que decia ‘No te des por vencido ni aun vencido, no te sientas esclavo ni aun esclavo’: Palabras que reaparecian en mi vida en circunstancias dificiles y me daban el empuje para seguir adelante. Susanne Mueller es un regalo que la vida me ha dado. Yo Argentino, ella Suiza, nos encontramos en New York. Una mujer que representa esas palabras de Almafuerte y empuja, a quienes la conocen, a seguir adelante y no darse por vencido." Marcelo A. Natalini, CEO & Founder, Latam Business School, Salta, Argentina.

"I had the pleasure to work with Susanne at Nestlé Waters in the United States, when she was the HR manager for the Globe Project; and at Nike, Inc., in Brazil, when she had directed a coaching program for the company’s high potentials. I got to enjoy working with her, and learned from her global and diverse experience in human resources and coaching. I was deeply impressed by her professionalism, her knowledge, and her enthusiasm. Susanne is very well connected globally with many professionals, which makes her a perfect match for any coaching activity. As an athlete, Susanne is able to provide to executives directions/examples and challenge them on how the sports techniques can be applied at the company, amplifying their knowledge on efficient ways of working and supporting their development and making them more effective." Alessandra Pechiaia, Manager, Nike do Brasil, Brazil.

"Selbstverantwortung und etwas Disziplin verhalfen mir nach einer gewissen Zeit des Schocks, der Depression aus der Krise zu finden. Es musste Distanz zum tollen Gewesenen eintreten um überhaupt auf die Entdeckungsreise des Noch-Möglichen einzubiegen! Die Erkenntnis auch, dass ich zwar dem Tipp ‘auf eigenen Beinen stehen zu lernen,’ nie mehr werde leben können - ich aber eine Chance erkannte, mein Leben in eigene Hände nehmen zu können! Diese Tugenden führen heute dazu, dass ich mich an dem erfreuen mag, was ich realistisch als Möglichkeiten habe - das ist ungemein viel und bereichernd geworden." Heinz Frei, Gold Medalist, London Paralympics (2012), Switzerland.

‘’Wo und wie wird man zu einem Champion in Sport und Business? Champions werden durch etwas gemacht, das sie in sich tragen: ein Verlangen, einen Traum, eine Vision. Sie brauchen eine außergewöhnliche Ausdauer, eine Strategie, Teambuilding, Evaluation und Planung. Sie brauchen die Fähigkeiten und den Willen dazu, um schliesslich den Gipfel des Erfolgs zu erklimmen. Interessiert? Mehr dazu finden Sie im vorliegenden Buch von Susanne Müller.’’ Markus Ryffel, Switzerland, Olympia Silbermedaillengewinner 5000m Los Angeles 1984 und 26x Finisher des New York Marathons mit Bestzeit von 02:19:14 in 1977.

"Take it from the Iron Woman by Susanne Mueller is a fascinating and creative book about inheriting her FIVE STEPS as a strong tool to be very successful in any kind of business. Her strategies draw strong parallels to the highly competitive world of sports: ‘think like the pro – be the pro.’ Her goals have always been strongly motivated by these three words: ‘dreamer, thinker, doer.’ This book not only opens your mind to find new ways to be successful, but also empowers your inner strength to never lose sight of your dreams. Today’s failure is tomorrow’s win! She is the pro and will guide you towards your goals." Yvonne Condrau, Screenwriter, Switzerland & New York.

A go-to book for anyone striving to succeed in all aspects of their life. The book breaks down the formula for achieving success into steps, making it easier to grasp the core concepts and then to implement. Susanne draws on her own extensive knowledge and experience - in the sports arena, business and in life generally - to provide readers with the strategy and inspiration to achieve their goals and fulfill their ambitions. Janet Groom,Transformational Coach, NLP & Hypnosis Practitioner and Energy Healer, UK & Switzerland.

"‘Give me one moment in time, when I’m more than I thought I could be. When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away and the answers are all up to me.’ I have always loved this song of Whitney Houston’s because, for me, it symbolizes working towards a goal (in this case, an Olympic medal) and, even through trials and tribulations, rising above one’s self and achieving that goal. So, when I read Susanne’s book, which examines the world of business and the world of sport, it really struck a chord, because she has managed to wonderfully draw parallels between the two." Pooja Iyer, CIO (Chief Inclusion Officer), Snehadhara Foundation, Bangalore, India.

I want to extend my deepest thanks to all of my friends around the globe who have crossed my path over the past years and will continue to in the years to come. I have enjoyed all your company, and we have all learned so much together and from each other.

I am grateful for my family and my friends. I have met wonderful people from all walks of life in the running community, the New York Road Runners running classes, my triathlon friends, my team SPITT (Swiss Power Insane Triathlon Team), and many more great human beings in other sports activities. I also have made many friends, on a professional and personal level, who have always supported me (with all my craziness) in fulfilling my dreams. Without them, this venture would not have been possible.

There were many wonderful secret collaborators helping me realize my big dreams. Thanks to the many eyes that read through many pages when it was still a very rough draft, to provide honest guidance leading to a better flow, and for making it happen.

Thank you for being part of my fabulous journey; much more is still in store. Vielen Dank, many thanks, mille merci, muchas gracias, muito obrigada.

Chapter 1

Five Steps: Strategy, Team & Training, Evaluation, Planning & Execution, Success

Dreamer, Thinker, Doer

For my last birthday, I received a sweatshirt with the saying dreamer, thinker, doer printed on it. My friend Silvia told me that, when she saw it, she thought of me, and had to buy it for me as a gift. This shirt really describes you fully, she said. And I agreed with her. Those three words have provided limitless inspiration for my life. I am often asked what my motivation is as a coach. There are innumerable things that are important and meaningful to me, and I am happy to share them with the world. There are no secrets!

As an executive coach, it is important to practice what you preach and walk the talk. I am a firm believer that, when you are doing what you are talking about, you are more authentic. I am generating authenticity for transformation. Authenticity and credibility are significant and vital aspects of my work. I cannot fake being authentic. My background is in business, psychology, and organizational development and leadership. Achieving success in each of those areas requires honesty, and the expression of my total, authentic self; otherwise, I cannot perform to my full potential. I hold myself and others to very high standards, and that shows in my work. I know myself well.

Every time I wear the shirt, I become more aware of its meaning and the impact that those words have on me:

•         A dreamer is an inventor, a daydreamer, a person with high hopes. This is me.

•         A thinker is a planner, a developer, a strategist, a pragmatist. This is me.

•         A doer implements all of it. A doer is a leader who turns the dreaming and thinking into reality. This is me.

Albert Einstein said it correctly with these two statements:

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.

•A dreamer is a strategist of success.

•A thinker is a planner and evaluator.

•A doer is all of the above, with a great team to execute and implement success.

With each step, we get closer to achieving our goals; closer to success in our careers and personal lives. Life is about strategy, planning, implementing, executing with a team of supporters. I cannot go through life with neither a strategy nor a plan; I get lost in the chaos. A clear plan with a vision empowers me to dream, think, and do much more. It is about creating discipline and structure for me - and, importantly, for others. I cannot solely live by myself, as a hermit who shies away from the world. This is not me: I like to be surrounded by great, innovative, creative, active people from whom I can learn something, and with whom I can exchange ideas and innovations for the future - to create a legacy for generations to come.

It is by taking one step at a time that we get to the top of the mountain: Think, Pole, pole, go slow to go fast, and, the journey is more important than the destination. Every single detail counts; every single detail needs to be planned for. The better we plan, the better we can evaluate, measure, and implement. All steps need to be considered in business as well as in sports. In all sports, we are constantly measuring. In Switzerland, where I come from, we are known for our watches, which I associate with perfection, efficiency, excellence, and success. This is what I want to convey and express to the world.  

It is important to question the status quo. In always doing the same thing but expecting a new outcome, we are wrong. This is Einstein’s definition of insanity: doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.

Powerful, deep, and active questions are key for behavioral changes. Questions need to be authentic, profound, and sometimes (many times, sorry) uncomfortable. It is about getting out of one’s comfort zone, and into a new zone. This is innovation, and forward thinking like a professional. Business is not for the weak, nor is sports. Breaking the rules, breaking records, is what we strive for. For me, it is important to listen to my inner dream, my innermost gut feeling, my crazy idea. If I don’t do it, somebody else will.

Think like the pro, be the pro.

Steps to Success

Chapter 2

My Formative Years

You can only connect the dots in the past. Steve Jobs

I was fortunate to grow up in Switzerland, in Thun. My home was