Ask the guru

 

Are you experiencing problems at work?

Sometimes all you need to solve your problem,

is for someone to give you a different focus.

Do you need expert advice on how to handle a situation at work?

Are you dealing with difficult people? Struggling with politics?

Have you found a passion that you'd like to explore?

Do you want a mentor, but can't afford coaching fees?

Ask the Guru for advice and get pointed in the right direction.

Ask the Guru is written by Ruth Tearle, an experienced organizational consultant and well known author.

 

Why I started "Ask the guru."

I've noticed that people working in similar functions seem to face similar problems. Whether you are:

• A leader fighting a political battle.
• A head of department, crafting a strategic plan for your area.
• A strategist, trying to get people to think outside of the box.
• A change consultant struggling with resistance.
• A project manager, trying to get people to support your project.
• A facilitator, dealing with difficult people.
• A team leader, trying to unleash magic within your team.
• An individual, wondering whether to change your career or how to get your mojo back.

...you are not alone.

 

There are times when we get stuck. We don't have the budget or time to hire a personal coach or consultant. All we need is a 'quick answer to a quick question.'

Use 'Ask the Guru' if you are looking for.

• Practical advice.
• Simple things to do.
• Help in  'connecting the dots.'
• A different way of looking at a problem.

 

Who is the Guru?

Ruth Tearle acts as a mentor, muse and advisor to:

• Corporate leaders in her role as an organizational consultant and business strategist.
• Internal consultants, coaches and facilitators working inside large organizations.
• Consultants and coaches starting their own businesses.
• Individuals who have lost their energy, and want to find a new purpose or direction in their lives.

With her vast experience in organizational strategy, leadership, change management, facilitation and innovation, the Guru is able to provide simple, practical advice to leaders that 'connects the dots.'

As an author of  inspirational books and the founder of Change Designs consulting and publishing, those who want to create a business out of their passion, can also draw on this aspect of Ruth's experience.

For those who cannot afford the time or costs of private coaching or mentoring, this column provides you with an quick way to get advice from Ruth.

Who can submit questions?

Ask the Guru is a value added service for our members only.

Why is this limited to members only?

Besides wanting advice, people ask questions for all sorts of reasons:

• To get attention.
• To deal with boredom.
• To show off.
• To direct readers to their own websites.
• To market their own products/services.
• To spread computer viruses.

By limiting this column to members only, we hope to provide a valuable 'advice only' column, that is both focused and useful to all our members.

What types of questions can I submit?

Ask the Guru is designed to give quick answers to quick questions – about problems that need to be solved, or goals you want to achieve.

When you submit your questions, try to be as specific possible. The more detail you provide, the more focused our answer will be.
If you have a complex problem, that you can't explain easily or quickly, you may need to book some professional consulting time with us.

The Guru is available to answer questions around the following broad categories:

• Strategic planning.
• Change management.
• Innovation.
• Facilitation.
• Work place politics.
• Career guidance.
• Handling difficult people.
• Managing a department or team.
• Resistance to changes.
• Managing the people side of a merger.
• How to...
• Starting your own knowledge based business.

What you can and can't expect from posting a question on Ask the Guru.

• Advice given in this column is published as a value added service to members.
• The 'quick advice given to quick questions' should not be considered to be full professional consulting advice based on a thorough analysis of your particular situation. Advice given in this column is provided without any knowledge of your unique context. Should you want someone to understand your particular context, you would need to book consulting or coaching time with a professional.
• The advice given is merely intended to be used to help you think differently about your problem, or to try out solutions that may have worked in our own experience as a consultant or small business owner.
• The application and impact of following our advice will vary according to your particular circumstances. This includes the culture and industry of the organization you operate within, as well as the level of emotional intelligence that you, and those you are working with show.

Please read our full terms & conditions before posting a question.

How to ask a question.

When you have a problem, don't struggle by yourself. Ask the Guru for quick answers to quick questions.

1. Log in to the member zone.
2. Complete the form and press the button "Send question to Guru."
3. Give the Guru a day to respond to your answer.
4. Then click the button "The Guru Answers" to see the responses to all questions.
5. Click the post that refers to your question. You will see the Guru's answers, and perhaps comments from other members.
6. If you'd like to post a comment on other member's questions, then use the form at the bottom of 'The Guru Answers" page.