“It is not always one big step, but a few steps forward.”
~ Denise Junqueiro
This week we have the pleasure of sharing parts of the transformational story of one of our original clients – Denise Junqueiro. Denise and Tess met in 2014 when she was a fellow attending the California Agriculture Leadership Foundation program. Tess was a part of restructuring the Ag Leadership learning and seminars and provided the Leadership Coaching for the program. In fact, Denise was a great support when Tess Cox & Associates was just beginning to launch the business.
We lead ourselves and our business by TRUSTING the foundation of our CHARACTER. As our client's learn to TRUST their own personal and professional integrity - they experience greater success by staying true to who they are AND through making decisions that are best for their organizations, teams and employees.
We're curious to know, "Do you have a word that is your focus for the 2025 New Year?"
Last week we mentioned the most helpful question to ask when new tasks and responsibilities come up within your team:
is this urgent or is this important?
In fact, that question was posed earlier this year in a cohort we were coaching through The Engagement Blueprint. The question reinforced how important it is to ask – it’s on everyone’s mind when given a new task, project or goal.
It’s likely that most of the work you do is very important. At the same time, it may or may not be urgent. Click here for a quick coaching video on how to discern. Considering the time of day you have your best energy may influence how urgent a certain task, project or goal is. Considering your energy will help you to prioritize so you can utilize your mindset, behaviors and strategy within your peak performance times. (Note: we all have peak performance times.)
A common phrase we use at TC&A is: “We are here for you.” And, it is true! We are here for you to be the person/leader that you desire to be. We are here for you and support you to do your best work within your role and responsibility. We are here for you to continue to learn, grow, develop and THRIVE.
Your story matters! Not only does your story matter, you are the author of your story. While you can't go back and change the past of your story, you absolutely have the power to write your present and future story.
I know the power of writing my present and future story to be true, as I continue to pivot and write my own story. When the pandemic hit, I knew I had the opportunity to influence teams and individuals in a new way. It was an adjustment to change my mindset and took focused energy to be creative in a time of chaos, despair and at times, even hopelessness.
At the CORE of TC&A we are GRATEFUL! The Attitude of Gratitude Course gives support for you to create a daily mindset of what you are grateful for. Within our coaching context, we always begin with… “What are three things you are grateful for?” It sets the tone for a great and meaningful coaching dialogue.
We are enjoying the one-on-one Coaching experiences with each one of our students. They have completed their first written assignment - “Message In A Bottle”. Their message communicates to their parents, foster parent or mentor what they have learned about their personality (who they are) from their Myers/Briggs Personality Assessment.
Building RELATIONSHIPS is one of the most important aspects of who we are at TC&A. It is our “Why” we spend so much time building a safe and healthy dialogue with you within the coaching context. It is “Why” we seek to create meaningful exercises within TC&A to build your confidence in your leadership.
TC&A is intentional with our desire for you to build a relationship with you, as “You Are The Leader Of Yourself…FIRST.” As you fully know and understand more of your strengths and Leadership style, you are able to build healthy and strong relationships with your Partners, Executive Committee, Board, Colleagues, and Team. Certainly, when you “Lead Yourself…FIRST” your personal relationships benefit, as well.
Are your work meetings stagnant?
Have your meetings become boring and uninteresting?
Do you try to avoid having meetings with your team?
TC&A encourages you to try something different for the month of August.
There are times it is appropriate to add some “fun” or “change things up” to meetings that have become stagnant and boring.
Are you feeling burnt out, depleted of energy and looking to overcome this feeling and love your work?
Are on your way to burnout but want to develop intentional and actionable tools to support you as you avoid burnout?
Have you experienced burnout in the past, but now you’re committed to strengthening your skill sets and looking to evolve on your self-development journey?
Join me in my new online learning course "Overcome Burnout & Love Your Work." The course, launching this month, includes:
During this time of social distancing, working from home and staying healthy - I’ve been going through hundreds of family photos. My father passed away from Parkinson’s disease in June of 2017. And, to add to our complexity, my mother came to live with my husband and me. She suffered with Alzheimer’s until her passing in January of 2019.
We are excited for a new group of High School Seniors beginning the FYW program!
Our Seniors are learning “WHO” they are through the Myers Briggs Personality Assessment. They are engaged in understanding how they gain their energy, whether it is through interacting with others (extraversion) or by being more reflective and quiet (introversion). There is no right or wrong way to gain energy. It is important to understand how each student gains energy for their mental health and physical self-care.
As we CELEBRATED THE 4TH OF JULY over this past weekend – We hope that you took a moment to enjoy a time to DREAM with your family! At TC&A, we’re believing there is more good to be realized in the present and more good to come. We’re DREAMING with you because we believe in the… Power Of Our Stories
AT TC&A, we are going to use our time wisely during the summer months. Yes, we will take the time to rest and refuel. We are very happy the beaches in Southern California are open, again. We have many projects that we continue to plan and prepare for you this Summer and in the Fall. And, we have best intentions to stay connected with you throughout the summer. Please stay tuned.
It’s been a joy to partner with school counselors in the North Kitsap School District during the month of May to bring The Family Strong Blueprint Online Mini-Course to parents and students during this season of remote learning. We’ve enjoyed supporting the parent and child/teen relationship by providing coaching exercises, tools and resources.
As my teens were walking closer to doors of adulthood, I began to reflect on my journey as a teen to present. I went into college at 17 years of age, with confidence that I was heading in the right direction. Changing my major three times and adding another 2 years to get my teaching credential and Masters, I realized I still had a lot to learn about myself and what my passion truly would be. It was the California Ag Leadership program where I took my first Myers-Briggs assessment and learned my personality type. This assessment helped me realize why I loved teaching and plants (horticulture major) and relationship building (sales & coaching). Wouldn’t it have been great to know that when I was heading off to college?! I think so many of us have that same epiphany as opportunities to learn more about ourselves arise in our professional lives. When do we find our WHY?
Justin Cox is Tess’ son. He is the General Manager of Heat Advertising in San Francisco, CA. In his spare time he enjoys cooking, collecting wine and sports.
He and his wife Elaine welcomed their first child, Layla in March. Tess is thrilled to be a grandma to Layla. Tess asked Justin to share a favorite recipe and wine pairing to celebrate the beginning of summer.
Of course, she knew Justin would add his wit and humor, as well. A quality we trust you will enjoy!
Three things, that on their own, generate emotions ranging from sighs of indifference to fake gagging. Bring them together, however, and they meld into a savory dish that engulfs your mouth with flavor but still eats light. Which makes this dish perfect for Summer. The directions below are accurate. The amounts are approximate due to one of three factors: I can’t see clearly, I can't do fractions or I am usually three glasses of Chardonnay deep when preparing the dish. So start here and then experiment.
1. Chill a well balanced Chardonnay to the perfect temperature about 90 mins before you begin.
2. Nap
3. Pour a glass of Chardonnay while you get everything out of the fridge and cupboard.
4. Top off your glass. Remind yourself there are people waiting on dinner.
1. Use tri-color quinoa for the best looking dish.
2. Measure out 2 cups of dry quinoa.
3. Make it according to the instructions on the package. Except for one crucial step: Substitute the water for chicken or beef or mushroom broth. You don't have to. You won't go to food jail. But your tongue will thank you if you do.
4. Pour the cooked quinoa on to a baking sheet and place it in the fridge. Sounds odd but you are trying to accelerate the drying process so the quinoa is firm and not mushy. It's the same reason day old rice is better for fried rice. I don't know the specifics but science is involved.
5. Pour your second glass of Chardonnay.
1. Grab 1 bunch of asparagus and 2 medium carrots. Cut the asparagus in 1" pieces. Medium to large dice on the carrots.
2. (Optional fancy step). Quick 1-minute blanch of the veggies and then into an ice bath.
3. Small dice 1 large onion. Mince 2 garlic cloves. Mince about an 1-inch of ginger (or use 1tbs powdered ginger).
4. Mix together 4tbs soy sauce with 2 teaspoons of oyster sauce (fish sauce will work too).
5. Crush up about 1/3 cup pistachios.
6. Thinly slice some chives (2tbs) OR scallions (1/4 cup) or both if you are feeling really good about yourself.
7. Pull a few leaves of cilantro for garnish
8. Pour your third glass of Chardonnay
1. Bring pot of water to a slow rolling boil.
2. While that happens, heat some canola or vegetable oil in a wok (or large fry pan).
3. Cook the onion and ginger for a couple minutes. Then add the garlic. Cook 30 seconds.
4. Add the veggies. Salt + Pepper. Cooking time will vary depending on how you like your veggies and if you've blanched them. I like them on the crunchier side for this dish. I add my previously blanched vegetables and cook 2-3 minutes. Knowing that they will continue to cook as you finish the dish.
5. Add the quinoa + 1-2 tbs of butter. I add it all. But you can add less if you are living life on the edge.
6. Mix everything around.
7. Add the soy/oyster sauce mixture. Don't smell it.
8. If you're French, throw in another tablespoon of butter. If you're not, a little olive oil will do.
9. Taste it. It might need more salt, more pepper, a bit more oil or even a squeeze of lemon juice. Use your tastebuds.
10. Mix it altogether for a minute on medium heat. Remove from heat. It's okay, the dish is meant to be eaten warm not hot.
11. Open a bottle of full-bodied Pinot Noir. Pour a half glass to make sure it's up to your standards. You are the chef after all.
1. Spoon quinoa fried rice into a bowl. The amount will vary depending on who is in your house. For me, I know my wife can take down 2lbs of pasta by mid-day. So it a generous helping.
2. Poach eggs in the boiling water. 1 egg per person. There are a few ways to poach eggs. Use the Internet. Look it up. We soft poach so the egg yolk is still runny.
3. Place freshly poached egg atop the quinoa. Gove it a little poke with a knife so the yolk runs out over the quinoa.
4. Top with the pistachios, scallions or chives, and cilantro. Amounts are up to you.
5. Fresh cracked pepper, some sea salt flakes and a drizzle of sesame oil.
6. Pour a glass of Pinot Noir. I have recently enjoyed 2016 Walt Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills.
7. Enjoy.
We gave a month’s notice which was, in full transparency, no way deserved. We had endured months of verbal and emotional abuse thinking if … we just worked harder and smarter the owners’ thoughts, words and behaviors would adjust and change. At some point, we really believed they would be proud of the work we had set out to do and the work we had accomplished with our vast experience in the hospitality industry. We were professionals with decades of experience in hospitality and while we had made the business a success with growth and deliverables month after month – it was truly...a beautiful prison. And, we had to escape.
