I can say without fear of contradiction that if you are not regularly coaching your people, you will not become the leader you aspire to be.
What is also true is that if you are not coaching your people then you are not getting the results your team is capable of.
Coaches creates the atmosphere and the environment where individuals thrive, teams functions as teams where the sum of the total is greater than the sum of the individual parts.
A team that is regularly coached is the place where progress is made. So, today embrace coaching and become that leader you want to be. Here are some skills to focus on:
- Encouraging your people. This is frequently overlooked as a skill, and your people will be the worse for that. We see it so starkly in sport where encouragement is a key ingredient – the same is true in business. Let me tell you, your people want to hear you encourage them to achieve more – it shows that you believe in them. Talk some learning from the coach on the sidelines – always encouraging, always boosting the team!
- Be a problem solver. Now I do not mean that you are to catch all the monkies! But there are always issues that need your attention, and yours alone, to deal with. So be seen to DO IT NOW! It matters not so much even if they disagree with your solution. They want to view you as someone who is action oriented and gets things done.
- Be accountable and inspire accountability. Make sure everyone knows how highly you value accountability. A team where accountability is sacrosanct is a team that delivers results collectively and individually. Word of warning – be sure you walk the talk yourself!
- Be a beacon of positivity. I am not talking about the “happy clappy” , “head in the sand” – all noise and no substance positivity. I am talking about carrying yourself with an air of “can do”. Always believing that you can achieve the results and goals you set, that obstacles are just things to be overcome. Your behavior will be modeled.
Recently I spoke to a manager about coaching and his response was “It’s just not my style, I am more of a direct, focus on the business type of manager. You’re either made for that approach or not, and I’m not” How sad that is! If ever I heard someone place a glass ceiling on their own career, this was one!
Coaches are made, not born. We evolve as coaches through learning, training, observing and practicing. It is a fundamental skill of leadership.
Coaching will make you a better leader, and it will also create the future leaders – and that is our responsibility too!