Author: J. Mike Smith

J. Mike Smith is an experienced, highly effective San Francisco-based executive and team coach. Not just “another consultant”, Mike has worked first hand in the roles he coaches, with personal experience working successfully in roles ranging from a front line supervisor to a senior vice president in a variety of companies and environments. Mike’s work coaching business teams is informed and guided by the wisdom and experience of being on teams and working through many of the same challenges and issues the teams he coaches face. As the President and Principal of Back West, Inc., the name of his consulting practice, Mike brings over 30 years of business experience. His work background spans industries including financial services, high tech, biotech, and wholesale distribution. His San Francisco based consulting coaching practice is focused in three areas – executive coaching with individuals, coaching work with teams such as team start-up and team building, and group facilitation and off-site design. More information at http://backwest.com/
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Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For those of us in the United States, this holiday is a uniquely northern american one (our neighbors to the north celebrate the Canadian version earlier in the Fall) and it is my favorite time of the year; one of those time when all of us can celebrate in a variety of ways marking our own unique family histories and customs.… Read the rest

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[Life Back West] November 2011 – “My New Life”

Sometimes you see your future from a distance and approach it step by step as you would the Rockies from the plains below; you know the route, and how to travel it.
Jerry Mathers and Paul Sullivan
Leave it to Beaver – Image via Wikipedia

Other times, though, you realize that like that unfriendly cat who has suddenly decided to be friendly, it’s in your lap; what you’re staring at is your future that’s become your present.… Read the rest

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3 Easy Ways to a Great Start in the New Job

Two conversations with two people last week, each with a new job; one was ecstatic, the other terrified.

There are three things you can do to get off to a great start with a new job. This post tells you about them.

Despite  advice, people don’t always leverage the interviewing process to collect the type of information that fuels a good starts with the new role.… Read the rest

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Madeleine P. Brennan and the Trouble with Standards

It’s been a tough few weeks for standards.

While the details and allegations aren’t settled, the arc of the scandals involving Herman Cain, the Penn State University football child sex abuse case, Tokyo-based Olympus CEO firing and coverup, and the Jon Corzine -MF Global debacle is familiar; people betrayed positions of public trust.

There are standards that everyone flaunts (Are you driving 60 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone?… Read the rest

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8 Dreaded Words? “I’ll follow-up and get back to you”

It has become the dreaded phrase you don’t want to hear; “I’ll follow-up and get back to you”

Why? Because when you hear that phrase you know that 90% of the people you deal with won’t get back to you.

I’ve stopped chuckling when I get the email from someone with whom I’m scheduled to meet (“Are we still on to meet at 2 PM tomorrow”) because I realize we live in a world where people, rather than do as they say they’re going to do, do as they say they won’t.… Read the rest

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Career Smarts: How Do You Know When Your Run is Done?

There are jobs that last a lifetime, and jobs that are over before they really start. In between is the job that has a predictable arc with a start and a finish; you just need to know when it’s time to move on.

And in the C suite, where fortunes might be made, and juggling competing egos and agendas can be a full day’s work all in itself, the risks and rewards of figuring this timing stuff out is even greater.… Read the rest