Participant Interview: Joseph Marinaccio
MYT: How did you hear about MYT and its EQ work?
JM: I first heard about MYT and its EQ work a few years back when I was in a leadership role with Ameriprise Financial. We were giving the opportunity to take a few of our top advisers through the program. I attended the session more in a supporting role for my adviser than as an active participant. I attended the workshop a second time more recently as a participant. I will speaking of that experience going forward as I feel it is more relevant.
MYT:What was your first experience like?
JM: My first experience was a positive one. The presenters were knowledgeable and well prepared. The presenter offered genuine care about your well being.
MYT: How did you react to your IDP and do you still refer to it?
JM: I felt my IDP was dead on. I was amazed at how perceptive they were in interpreting me from a series of short questionnaires, but the were on the money. I do still refer back to my IDP and am constantly trying to incorporate learnings from it and add new steps as I become comfortable with some of my new behaviors.
MYT: Did you receive focused, direct, & honest feedback from your “Observers?”
JM: Yes, I had my wife and my business partner act as my observers and I feel that they both gave me honest feedback. I have been married for 15 years and have known my business partner for 19 years. Selecting the right people as your observers is important. You want to make sure that they are comfortable enough with you and you with them that they will be honest with you.
MYT: Tell the readers what the coaching calls were like.
JM: I feel the coaching calls were the most helpful part. Having access to your coaches, who provide feedback and direction for you, is critical. The calls give you the opportunity to discuss what is going well and what difficulties you are encountering with action steps you can take to overcome.
MYT: How many times have you been through the workshop?
JM: Twice. Once a few years back as I mentioned in support of my advisors and once recently as a participant.
MYT: Are they still helpful?
Yes, the skills learned in the workshop and more importantly on the coaching calls are extremely valuable. It is important to refer back to the workbook from time to time to keep the material fresh in your mind.
MYT: Do you feel you are more emotionally competent?
JM: I feel, with my years of leadership experience at Ameriprise, I had a good base of emotional competence. The workshop improved it and made me more aware of what I was thinking and feeling. It enabled me to reframe a lot of the negative self talk and keep my self focused on the present task.
MYT: Can you share an experience in which it helped you?
JM: The workshop has helped me in numerous encounters. Currently I am dealing with some personal issues on the front while trying to start a financial planning practice from scratch. I transitioned from a leadership role in Ameriprise back to an advisor role. The skills learned from MYT have helped me to deal effectively with my personal life while maintaining the energy, focus and positive state I need to be in to build my business.
MYT: Was attending MYT worth the investment and if so how can you quantify it?
JM: Yes, I feel attending the workshop was a worthwhile investment. I’m not sure how I can put a monetary value on it, but the emotional well being plays a critical role in being able to achieve any goal you set for yourself. Attending the workshop will pay you back many times over, not only financially, but also emotionally.
October 2011