Leadership Coaching: What Leaders Get Wrong & How To Fix It
Are you a leader who believes they are good at coaching their employees? Learn the most common mistakes leaders make when it comes to effective coaching from Andrea and Michelle on this episode of The Leadership Hustle! Discover the 3 part model you need to take your coaching game to the next level and help motivate your team for success. Tune into this episode now for an insightful look into what's holding leaders back from becoming great coaches!
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3-Step Model to Get Leadership Coaching Right
Often, the term 'leadership coaching' is thrown around left and right in the business world without a clear meaning, so it’s understandable that many people don't fully understand why coaching is important. Coaching Is not just about training or giving feedback. And contrary to popular belief, coaching isn't a punitive measure for underperforming employees. It's so much more than that. In this Leadership Hustle episode, Andrea Fredrickson and Michelle Hill share their 3-step model for leadership coaching.
What is Leadership Coaching?
So, what exactly is leadership coaching? In essence, leadership coaching is a tool to unlock an individual's potential and drive organizational growth. It involves instilling new skills, fostering confidence, and enabling employees to perform at a higher level. At Revela, after constant training in leadership and coaching, we have found a key to effective leadership coaching that lies in a 3-step model.
How to do Effective Coaching: The 3-Step Model
When correctly applied, these three steps can transform coaching from a perceived threat to an empowering journey of growth and development. Here's how:
Training
This is the foundation of any coaching process. It's a collaborative effort between the coach and the coachee, aiming to equip the team with the necessary skills and knowledge. But remember, it's not just about imparting information; it’s about introducing them to your company's values, providing guidance, and making them feel like they belong.
Coaching
This step focuses on developing your employees' abilities to perform. Coaching isn't a list of things to improve!. This step is about guiding your team through challenges, offering constructive feedback, and helping them find solutions. It's not about doing the work for them but empowering them to do it themselves.
Discipline
Often misunderstood, discipline in coaching isn't about reprimanding, and it actually just takes about 20% of the coaching time. The discipline focuses on consistency and meeting expectations repeatedly. It's about setting standards and encouraging employees to live up to them.
Problem Solving with Leadership Coaching
Coaching is not just about solving problems but also about getting your team members to think critically and solve problems independently. When leadership coaching is done right, it fosters a culture of dialogue and continuous learning, making every interaction an opportunity for growth.
Leadership Coaching Isn’t a Threat
As we discussed before, coaching has a bad reputation in most organizations, and it’s seen as a time for negative feedback and problems. To ensure it doesn't come across as a threat and transform it into a time for growth and positive feedback that your team doesn’t fear, follow these essential steps:
Initiate dialogue in a non-threatening manner. Instead of saying, "We need to talk," try, "I have some questions about this or that." It immediately sets a more relaxed tone.
Seek agreement from your team members. Make sure they understand the purpose of the conversation and agree to participate.
Explain the reasoning behind your coaching. For instance, if cell phone use is a security concern, explain why, instead of simply imposing a rule.
Attitude Matters in Leadership Caching
One of the critical aspects for coaching to come across as positive instead of a threat is the coach's attitude. The process of coaching isn't about 'fixing' an underperforming employee; instead, it's about helping someone improve and perform their job better. Try to show this openness to growth and willingness to listen in your everyday attitude.
Shifting the Perspective: From 'I Have To' to 'I Get To'
Coaching can often seem like a daunting task for leaders because many of us feel we HAVE to do it. We often see it as an obligation, not an opportunity.
However, a shift in perspective can make a world of difference. Instead of viewing coaching as a chore, imagine it as a privilege - you GET to influence someone's professional growth and contribute to their success. This shift from 'I have to' to 'I get to' can transform the coaching experience for both the coach and the employee.
The Role of a Manager or Leader in Coaching
So, as a leader, what exactly is your role in coaching your team? A manager or leader should spend around 60% of the time on coaching. This might seem like a lot, but consider this: your role isn't just to manage people; it's to develop them. Your job is to find out what your team needs to excel in their roles and provide that support.
Yes, training is crucial, but it's just the beginning. Coaching is an ongoing process that requires constant attention and dedication. By regularly checking in with your team members, understanding their challenges, celebrating their successes, and guiding them through their journey, you will be well on your way to effective leadership coaching.
Emphasizing the Importance of Continuous Coaching
Leadership coaching is an empowering process that has the potential to drive both individual and organizational growth. It requires a positive attitude, a shift in perspective, dedication, and continuous effort from the leader. However, the rewards - a motivated, engaged, and high-performing team - are well worth the investment. So embrace the opportunity to coach and watch as your team members rise to their full potential!
Contact Revela and Start Coaching the Right Way!
If you struggle to implement effective coaching strategies within your organization. Let us help develop your team to its full potential. Start coaching your team today! Contact Revela and start scaling your business.
About the Hosts
Andrea Fredrickson
Andrea Fredrickson is a thought leader and consultant at Revela, an organization based in Omaha, Nebraska specializing in the development of leaders, culture alignment, and business strategy for private and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness. Andrea has built an amazing team by believing that fundamentally people want to be successful and become better versions of themselves.
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Andrea has degrees in education, management, and business. She is the author of Insight Unseen; How to lead with 20/20 business vision. She helps people see things differently, self-reflect, and never stop looking for ways to improve themselves on a personal and professional level. Andrea has spent more than 30 years researching and developing methods to help people communicate and lead more effectively.
When Andrea isn’t working with clients, you’ll find her spending time with her family & friends and making memories by exploring new cities.
Michelle Hill
Michelle Hill is a master facilitator and coach at Revela, an organization specializing in the development of leaders and aligning the culture of privately held and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness.
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An ambitious leader, Michelle has the natural ability to create forward momentum to build teams and get results. She inspires others to look within themselves and to challenge the status quo. She helps create high-performing environments. Michelle brings a diverse background: operations, employee development, and sales in the steel, hospitality, and consulting industries.
Outside of work, you will see her competitive side engaged in her daughter’s sports and ISU athletics. She loves life, her four-legged companions, and captures all the moments through her camera’s lens.
TRANSCRIPT
Andrea Frederickson: So you think you're a good coach? Most leaders do. In this episode of The Leadership Hustle, we'll discuss a three part model to help you get coaching. Right. Hello, and welcome to the Leadership Hustle. For executives whose companies are growing fast and need leaders who are ready. So coaching. How many times a day, Michelle, do you hear leaders talk about. Oh, I have to coach this person or. Yes, I want some coaching or, you know, the word coaching comes up.