New to coaching? Wondering what exactly it is, or how you should think about it?
From the book ‘Becoming Coachable: Unleashing the Power of Executive Coaching…” by Marshall Goldsmith, Jacquelyn Lane, Scott Osman the following quotes are particularly on-point at explaining.
WHY COACHING?
“If your boss or your board is retaining an executive coach for you, that means two things. One, is that you have already laid down an impressive foundation as a leader. And two, that you have significant potential to develop further.”
“Coaching is one of the most important investments you will ever make in your life. It’s an investment in your growth and future. It is a time and financial commitment, yes, but it yields an exponential return.”
“We can’t see our own faces, only a reflection. Similarly, we can’t see our own behavior; we need reflections from other people (to) help us see ourselves more clearly and understand the actions that can help us and those around us thrive.”
“Coaching endows leaders with the strength and resilience to weather most storms.”
“The qualities you need to be successful coachee – self-awareness, humility, the ability to listen, a hunger for feedback, a commitment to action, and a willingness to be held accountable – are precisely the qualities you need to lead. Becoming a good coaching subject is a way to prepare you for new, more demanding roles.”
“Leaders should not begin the coaching and change process just to get promoted. Great coaching clients change because they want more from their lives and expect more from themselves. There is a world of difference between Rising in an organization and Flourishing in life.”
WHAT IS COACHING?
“Coaching is a mix of skills practice, real-time feedback, advising, question-asking, psychology and motivation.”
“Your coach is your guide, goad, whisperer, sounding board, thought partner, devil’s advocate, and confidant.”
“Coaching is like a deep-tissue massage…you should expect to feel discomfort while being coached. That’s good. That means it is working.”
WHEN IS COACHING NOT THE RIGHT SOLUTION?
If you are considering hiring a coach for a leader within your organization, you should consider if they are coachable or not – there are also several factors that can make someone uncoachable:
- Lack of Acknowledgment of a Problem:If an individual doesn’t believe they have a problem or sees no need for change, coaching efforts will likely be futile. They must recognize and accept that there is an aspect of their behavior or performance that could benefit from change.
- Wrong Strategy for the Organization:When someone is committed to a course of action or strategy that is misaligned with the organization’s goals, coaching them may only accelerate their progress in the wrong direction.
- Misalignment with the Job:If a person feels they are in the wrong job or at the wrong company, and especially if they would feel relieved if the company shut down, they may not be open to coaching. They might be better served by finding a role that aligns with their skills and interests.
- Blaming Others:An individual who consistently believes that others are the problem and refuses to look inward will resist coaching. They must be willing to take responsibility for their actions and consider how their behavior affects those around them.
If you’d like to explore further how coaching might fit into helping you achieve your goals, book a call.
