What I do as a coach sounds relatively simple, but it is not. It has the potential to be so powerful that it could be considered a life-changing experience. Leadership coaching provides new outlooks, new possibilities and new successes to those who are brave enough to engage in it.
Research tells us that critical reasoning is the single most important correlate to job performance. The good news is that critical reasoning abilities can be measured and evaluated when hiring for a leadership position.
Job descriptions tend to have great information about primary responsibilities and the credentials required to fill the role. But, clearly defining the specific competencies and characteristics in ways that truly define what is needed in a candidate can significantly increase the likelihood of making a successful hire.
As integral members of the workplace social system, leaders that invest their time and effort in the people we coach significantly increase the likelihood of sustainable change and progress.
“Throwing” your ideas and perspectives occurs when you lead with a judgment about something and stating that judgment as if it were fact. That action can trigger others to respond accordingly. The solution to avoiding real and abstract food fights is to learn how to offer what is “on your plate.”
Becoming the leader that others wants to follow involves consistently observing yourself and others to better understand how your habits and skills (or lack thereof) influence those around you.