Whenever we run our Coaching Culture programmes we ask the leader-coaches what might get in the way of them applying their coaching skills with their team members.
The most common issue that comes up for them is a lack of time to do the coaching.
While they conceptually ‘get’ the benefits of coaching they have difficulty translating these into reality as a consequence of not having (making) time in their schedules to spend time with their people and do the coaching. There is always an urgent piece of work that needs their attention, or they think that ‘it will be quicker on this occasion to deal with it myself’ or they cancel a scheduled coaching session because another meeting request comes in, etc. As a result the coaching doesn’t happen and there is a real danger that they lose the new skills they have learned through the programme as a result of lack of application.
Given this I thought it might be helpful to relay some of the feedback we have received from leaders who have managed to find a way to adopt more of a coaching style. The benefits can be many and wide-ranging and, in their view, more than justify the time it takes to apply these with their people. I’m hoping that a reminder may help to persuade some of you to dust off those old coaching notes and books and take time to apply what you have learned in the past. If you don’t use it, you lose it!
Some of the main benefits that leaders report when they adopt more of a coaching approach are:
These are just some of the benefits reported by leaders who make time for coaching. Think back to those people you have most valued in your life and career. Chances are they were people who encouraged you to think for yourself and supported you in trying new things and valued your input. I suspect they were not people who always told you the answer. Given this, why would you think that your people will be any different?
Time you spend in coaching your people will be more than repaid through increased confidence, capability and less interruptions. I encourage you to find some time this week to start the process. You know it makes sense!
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