weeks - 3:08 am on Aug 27, 2006 (gmt 0)

A lot of community work can be very frustrating to goal-oriented business people. The focus too often seems to make people feel good instead of be good or do good.

Think about the word "coaching" in very broad terms. Not managing, not doing, not investing--coaching. You can coach a business, a group, a youth or a sports team.

First thing is to think about what you would be good at coaching. Name two.

Got that? Good.

Now, start reading up on effective coaching. If you're going to coach a sports team, read up on business coaches. Sports, read up on marriage coaches. Get the broad thinking on coaching. Then, do some research on the coaching you're most interested in, if it is available. Then put all of that aside and do it your way--the research was to help you, not help who you are to coach.

I've been coaching the young leaders of a civic association that I formed 20 years ago. How to raise money. How to form a board. How to focus committees. How to communicate. What to communicate. How to build an organization. But, I'm not doing it--I'm guiding them and it's a lot more effective. BE CAREFUL: Do not let coaching evolve into doing or managing.

Coaching. Look into it.