We’re adding to the already-damn-awesome program leaders we have for Box of Crayons’ flagship product, Coaching for Great Work.

Bottom line? We’re looking for entrepreneurial-y, coach-y, trainer-y, corporate gravitas-y people … a rare but potent mix.

All the details about the program (both C4GW and the Train the Trainer program) and how to apply are here:

=>  http://www.coachingforgreatwork.com/program-leader-application/

(If this isn’t for you, but you know someone who might be interested, I’d be grateful if you’d pass the news along.)

Roger Martin who is the Dean of the Rotman School of Management here in Toronto and the author of three great books on business. The first is The Responsibility Virus which talks about the power of building true partnerships. The second is The Opposable Mind which talks about ‘integrative thinking’ and his most recent is The Design of Business: Why Design Thinking is the Next Competitive Advantage.

In this interview we take on:

• The journey ideas take – from ‘mystery’ to ‘heuristic’ to ‘algorithm’
• Why ‘design thinking’ could be considered a counter-cultural act
• How the beginning of change lies in changing the way we think
• Why the burden of proof can be impossible to meet (and what the implications of that might be)
• The power of projectization – and a company that’s showing just how powerful that can be.

You can find out more about Roger and his work and get access to a range of great material at www.RogerLMartin.com.

Listen to my interview with Roger Martin

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1. Three counter-intuitive truths about coaching in organizations

Box of Crayons’ flagship product is our Coaching for Great Work program, which gives managers and leaders practical coaching skills that stick.

In this article, I share three insights that stop coaching flourishing in organizations – and what you can do about it.

(Drop me a line if you’d like to learn more about Coaching for Great Work).

2. Why are you trying to save time?

Productive Flourishing is a blog I’ve only recently started to follow, and I like what I’ve read so far.

This article is a provocative little piece challenging you to get clear on “for the sake of what” you’re trying to be productive.

3. Are these three word ruining your life?

From Jonathan Mead, who writes on Illuminated Mind and is a regular guest writer on Zen Habits. These three words might be what’s getting in the way of you doing more Great Work.

Written by Michael Bungay Stanier.  Follow me on Twitter

I’ve spent the last three days training an excellent group of folks from Gartner. They’ve been the perfect bunch to work with – thoughtful, smart, both willing to challenge and willing to trust the process.

At the end of the three days I was offered up a piece of feedback that I’m still chewing over:

“It was obvious that you knew most of our names – but not all of them.”

It was true. There were two or three people who’s names I knew – but only sort of. And I didn’t want to get it wrong, so I didn’t say their names. And in a gracious way, they let me know that they knew that.

One of the truths about Great Work is that you can’t do it alone. This training, on coaching and engagement skills, is part of my Great Work – and the people who show up willing to be trained are as much part of “the mix” as my fellow trainers. The least I could do is know their names.

=> Is there anyone supporting you in your Great Work that you need to get to know a little better?

Friday’s are for wrapping things up.  Here are my favourite three blog posts on Great Work.

1. Jon Ingham summarizing his learnings about “Training 2.0″ – and how the old style of training just won’t be enough any more.

2. Seth Godin talking about why you should exceed expectations.  (A terrific distinction between “Good” and “Great”).

3. My article in Training Zone about three counter-intuitive truths about coaching in organizations.  The most controvrsial?  Abandon plans to build a coaching culture.

Where have you found your best insights for the week?