Coaching is a way to unlock potential and enhance
performance, to help us get from where we are to where we want to be.
It is a privilege for me to coach individuals and teams to help them on their way. And it is equally an honour to help them learn the craft of coaching.
Time
and time again, I am inspired by the leaders who are introduced to coaching and find
it so liberating and empowering. We have just finished yet another leadership
development programme of which coaching was a key part, and the insights and
skills gained are already having a noticeable impact in people’s professional and personal lives.
As
is often the case, these leaders have been promoted because of their expertise
and experience. Their identity and role has been largely defined from being an
expert, having the answers, holding the knowledge. Adopting coaching as a mindset and an activity,
requiring them to step back from being in ‘tell’ mode to taking a more enquiry
based approach to help the other person find their own solutions within, was both
challenging and enabling. Quickly they
understood how their beliefs and attitudes contributed to the relationship with,
and performance of the other. Rather than jumping in with advice or opinions, they would question to
raise awareness and responsibility. By doing so they tapped into their capability to really
listen. And they understood how effective
goal setting guides the person to find their own focus and motivation.
To
help people to perform to their potential, you don't need to be a full
time professional coach. If we believe in the other person, establish a good
relationship with them, question and listen with care, provide courageous feedback, as colleagues we can learn to
support each other on our respective journeys of transformation and growth.
Click on previous
postings for various aspects of coaching:
Two key coaching books to stimulate your interest are:
Whitmore,
J. (2002) Coaching for Performance, Nicholas Brealey Publishing Ltd. London
Whitworth,
L., Kimsey-House, K., Kimsey-House, H., and Sandahl, P. (2007) Co-Active
Coaching, London: Davies-Black Publishing.
Sources:
Image: Playing... by
Indonesian photographer Achmad Munasit, aka Asit as posted by Vivid
Greeting Cards on Facebook 10 May 2013. Vivid Greeting Cards
– celebrating the world's wonders with gems found in cyberspace and Gallery
Windows of VGC art - http://www.vividgreetingcards.co.uk/.
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