We live in 4 dimensions—three dimensions of space and one of time. It should be no surprise then that coaching has as many dimensions. Whatever goals you pursue, if you want to achieve the kind of Leadership Intimacy that fosters high commitment and high performance, I suggest that you take each dimension of coaching as far as you can, to its limit.
1. Raise the Priority and Quality
Make coaching your highest business priority. That may sound like a stretch, but consider that without the commitment and performance you get from effective coaching, you’ll get less from all your other priorities, including profit. When you think of coaching as a business function, you will make it happen (check off the box), and make it impactful (delivered with quality) always tracking measurable results.
2. Dig for Talent Depth
Look deeper into the people you hire and promote. Sure you want specific business skills and keen technical expertise, but unless each member of your team can bring coaching skills to the game, you’re short-changing yourself and your team. Look for patience, empathy, and superior listening skills as well as technical talent. If your people can’t coach, you run the risk of building silos of expertise instead of spreading critical knowledge throughout your organization.
3. Mind the Gap
You and your people are making do with less these days, including layers of middle management. In many organizations, that leaves baby boomers at the top talking to younger and younger new employees who thrive on immediate, informal communication. It’s going to take deliberate and concentrated coaching to facilitate communication between the two generations. Now, before all the boomers with their deep, old-school wisdom and expertise have retired.
4. Take the Time
Finally, everything I recommend takes time, the 4th dimension. If you think of coaching as a business function, you’ll give it the time it deserves. Time for a dart-like focus on raising the bar, and time for the meaningful kinds of engagements that will deliver profitable and sustainable success.
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