Leaders who tell people what to do can’t coach. The use of authority creates conformity.
The leader as coach ignites vitality.
10 practices for the leader as coach:
#1. Learn and grow.
Know-it-alls make lousy coaches. Self-development is the first development.
#2. Notice.
Command and control leaders are blinded by their agenda.
The leader as coach notices:
- Shifts in energy. What causes energy to go up? What drains?
- Positive and negative emotions.
- Recurring issues. Patterns signal character. Solving the same problem over and over means people are stuck.
The leader as coach means others are the center of attention.
#3. Ask more than tell.
Curiosity drives coaching. Knowing gets in the way. Even if you think you know, ask questions like you don’t.
#4. Provide space for response.
Silence is the space where change begins. Don’t interrupt a person who is thinking.
#5. Don’t compete.
Don’t out-do, one-up, or make yourself the center of attention. Good coaches are salt and pepper, not the meal.
#6. Have your own coach.
If you want to coach have a coach. It’s hypocritical to think others could you use coaches but not you.
#7. Challenge bull crap.
Challenge one-sided perceptions, inconsistencies, and helplessness.
#8. Move conversations from aspiration to action.
Success distills into simple behaviors that produce desired results. Talking about results is easy. Describing behaviors leads to action.
#9. Turn toward the future.
Coaching is forward-facing. You aren’t a psychologist or an analyst. You begin where people are and build the future.
#10. Feel optimistic.
Coaches believe growth is probable. You can’t coach someone you don’t believe in.