Coaching is one of the most organizationally important roles of leaders, and when done well, one of the most personally powerful and gratifying parts of a leader’s role too.
While I have long shared insights and helped others learn to be better coaches, I wanted to see if I could summarize the essence of coaching success into seven sentences.
I didn’t succeed.
Instead, below you will find ten sentences that, when internalized and operationalized will lead to success for coaches and those they coach (and automatically for the organizations that both are involved in too).
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Coaching isn’t about the coach, the company or the Customer; it is about the development and success of the person being coached.
Coaching isn’t about advice or wise counsel; it is about new results and outcomes for the person being coached.
Since coaching is about development and improvement, the best coaches use the past to inform but focus on the future.
Since coaching is about the other person, the best coaches listen carefully and thoughtfully.
The best coaches know that discovery learning is powerful, so they ask more than they tell.
The best coaches don’t have all the answers, so they learn alongside those they coach.
The best coaches are accountable to those they coach, helping them to be accountable for their improvement and great results.
The best coaches know that praise elevates performance, so they use it wisely, specifically and regularly.
The best coaches invest their time, energy and themselves in the people that they coach.
To coach successfully, the coach must believe in the ability and potential of those they coach.
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I hope you see the power in the simplicity of these ideas, and the challenge of doing them well. If so, I have reached my goal. And to help you stay on task with working on these ideas, here’s a great resource – print it out, share it on social media, maybe even share it with your team.
A Final Note: As your coach at a distance, I want to practice what I preach and listen. If you have ideas and thoughts that would improve or extend this list, please share them in the comments below.
Good stuff Kevin. I would add that you as a coach need to be present when with your team members. Not in the past or future but in the now. Goes along with being an active listener
Thank you. This is very timely and well needed gift. Happy Holiday
Love it! Though I’d tweak No 3. The best coaches visit past and future with the client, but recognise that the work is done in the present. ALWAYS.