Why do leaders make good coaches?
Effective leaders help others think more broadly for themselves. But first, they need to be able to help themselves and act as excellent role models for others to emulate. Hence, as leaders make good coaches.
In short, walk the talk and lead by example is vital for leaders to make good coaches. They do this by sharing insightful reflections and asking powerful questions that disrupt and expand people’s minds.
One of the common challenges that leaders face is getting people to see the blind spots and points of resistance that keep them from intentionally moving forward. Telling people what is wrong is an inefficient way of changing behavior. Using threats and offering rewards for change also do not produce long term results.
The most powerful way for a leader to change people’s minds is to help them to think more broadly for themselves using a coaching approach. Listening, reflecting on what you hear and sense, and then asking powerful questions can actually change how a person sees himself and the world around him. These discoveries lead to permanent and positive behavioral change.
Here’s your chance…
Take 5 minutes to complete the questions below that focus on where you’re currently at in terms of your own personal career and job satisfaction. You will immediately identify the critical factors that will help you develop strategies to gain commitment and support for innovation.
Instructions
Evaluate each criterion in terms of how you would rate the current demonstrated levels of your performance.
Evaluate each criterion in terms of how you would rate the current demonstrated levels of your performance.
1 = Very Low level of demonstrated performance
2 = Low level of demonstrated performance
3 = Moderate level of demonstrated performance
4 = High level of demonstrated performance
5 = Very High level of demonstrated performance
Reflect on the behaviours and actions that you have observed about yourself in the workplace in the past three months. As an innovation champion, these are the first steps to take as you go on your quest for being an effective leader as coach.
As a busy workplace leader….
Do you feel substantially more alive, or further ahead, than you did a year ago?
Is your life more run by things you have to do, as opposed to things you choose to do?
Do you often feel like there is something holding you back from a much more successful life?
Do you routinely run out of time, energy or patience by the end of the day?
Is your career more of a job than a calling?
Do you have a difficult time balancing your career, family, friends, health, etc?
Would you benefit from establishing great habits that keep you moving ahead in all parts of your life?
Do you routinely find yourself worrying or stressed out or worrying about the future?
Do you often find yourself living automatically, or simply going through the motions?
Would you like to learn how to create a life that directly reflects your greatest gifts, talents and interests?
Do you ever get a sense that you are not living the life you were meant to live, and that there is much more to life than you are now experiencing?
Do you have someone in your life who routinely gives you independent feedback, and helps you see what you might be missing?
Your action plan…
List the top three identified performance gaps and consider possible solutions to quickly resolve these issues to add value to your career and organisation
1.
2.
3.
Leaders who are committed to developing themselves and helping others grow their mind as well as their skills will be most successful in this quickly changing world.
