What do you do if your strategic decision making as a business coach is constantly challenged?

If your decisions or suggestions are challenged, first understand where it is coming from - did you not frame the message the proper way? was your suggestion based on wrong data or did you analyze the dataset poorly? Usually when we are challenged, even if our ideas had merit, we most likely have chosen the wrong path to get our message across. Focus on understanding your client, this will relieve most of the resistance.

If your intention is to serve and help your clients, then there are no issues with your strategic decisions. You can always learn what you don't know, adjust your tactics and practices, and seek guidance from your mentors.

Introspect with the following questions: How can you proactively address concerns and doubts about your strategic decisions? What steps can you take to enhance transparency and clarity in your decision-making process? Are there opportunities to strengthen relationships and build credibility with stakeholders? How might you adjust your approach to accommodate different perspectives and foster understanding? What strategies can you employ to demonstrate the value and rationale behind your decisions? Are there avenues for soliciting constructive feedback and iterating on your strategies for improvement? And implement answers.

It is good if your strategies are challenged some times but it is the word constantly that changes the dynamics. First things first, detach yourself from the situation emotionally. It is not you they are challenging it is the decision. Then drill down to find out the reason? They obviously believe in your competency and that's why they hired you, what changed? Most of the times you will find out it is their belief system that's playing the game here.

La reflexión objetiva es fundamental. Cuando enfrentas desafíos a tus decisiones estratégicas, es importante separar lo emocional y analizar de manera racional teniendo en cuenta el contexto. Tener la mente abierta para los comentarios y críticas constructivas sin que las emociones nublen el juicio permite aprender y mejorar continuamente. La capacidad de cuestionarse a uno mismo sin comprometer la autoestima ni la experiencia es crucial. Es un proceso de humildad intelectual que busca identificar áreas de mejora en el proceso de toma de decisiones. Esta reflexión calmada ayuda a discernir si el desafío es una oportunidad para mejorar la estrategia o si indica una resistencia al cambio que necesita ser abordada desde otra perspectiva.

When your decisions get some pushback, it's super important to stay open to a real talk. Make sure you're getting straight to the point to dodge any mix-ups and lean on solid facts to back up what you're saying. Listening is just as key as talking here—make sure you're really hearing out the concerns and tackling them head-on. Sharing the 'why' behind your communication can shed some light on things, keeping everyone in the loop. Keeping your story straight no matter who you're talking to means there's less chance of wires getting crossed. A follow-up email can be a lifesaver, giving everyone something to refer back to.

La comunicación clara y efectiva es fundamental no solo en el contexto de cuestionamientos a las decisiones, sino en cualquier interacción profesional. Si existen cuestionamientos debemos enfrentarlos con la lógica detrás de estos de manera que sea comprensible y convincente para todos. Utilizar un lenguaje accesible y evitar la jerga técnica innecesaria ayuda a eliminar barreras de comunicación facilitando la comprensión por parte de todos los involucrados y también genera empatía. Esto es muy importante cuando se trata de decisiones estratégicas complejas, donde la claridad puede marcar la diferencia entre el apoyo y la resistencia.

Tell them how this looks from your side ask them to confirm it. Do not confront, communicate. Ask them how would they like you to work with them? Ask more open ended questions and keep an eye on the body language.

When clients pushback on your decisions, it's usually a sign that trust needs to be fortified, often through attentive listening and genuine curiosity about their concerns. Dive into their concerns with an open mind, asking insightful questions to truly understand their perspective. This approach not only shows respect for their viewpoints but also highlights your commitment to tailoring solutions that meet their specific needs. Reflect back what you've heard to confirm understanding, and collaboratively explore alternatives or adjustments. By prioritizing this two-way dialogue and showing a willingness to adapt, you'll strengthen trust.

This could mean anything from involving then into the strategic planning to backing your strategy with data. Success stories, case studies, social proofs could also help. How to build trust would highly depend on your findings of where these push backs are coming from.

La confianza es la base en cualquier relación de coaching o liderazgo sobre la cual se construyen relaciones sólidas y efectivas. Debemos generar y mantener la confianza con los clientes para establecer un ambiente donde puedan sentirse cómodos y se abran a nuevos caminos. La escucha activa y la empatía son claves para afianzar el compromiso con el éxito del cliente. Cuando los clientes perciben que sus opiniones y sentimientos son valorados, están más inclinados a confiar en el juicio y la experiencia del coach, lo cual crea un entorno propicio para la colaboración del coachee y la implementación exitosa de decisiones estratégicas.

La adaptabilidad y la flexibilidad son cualidades esenciales para cualquier coach de negocios eficaz. Cuando las decisiones estratégicas son constantemente desafiadas, es importante reflexionar sobre la situación y considerar ajustar el enfoque. Debemos comprender el contexto en el que se toman las decisiones, ya sean factores culturales, organizacionales o personales que pueden influir en la efectividad de las propuestas. Adaptarse no significa modificar totalmente las decisiones estratégicas, sino más bien ajustar la forma en que se implementan. Si aún así continúa el desafío, considere seriamente si es el cliente coachee adecuado para el programa de coaching. Recordemos que nuestra reputación está en juego.

As a coach, be flexible. Experiment. If you say X and the say Y, test both. Or together come up with a solution that is a mix of both your strategy and their inputs.

At the start of my coaching program I ensure I spend time identifying me client's style of working. Some like to be informed of everything big and small, other are interested only the mile stones. Then there are the micro managers, aand I don't work with them. So don't be afraid to part ways of you think the client is not the right fit it looked while signing him up.

Asking for feedback on your decision-making process is a powerful tool for growth. It lets you see things from different angles and figure out what's working and what could be better. When you loop in others, you're making everyone feel like they're part of the process. This way, decisions get smarter, and everyone's more on board because they had a say. Plus, it's a great way to keep everyone open and working together. Making feedback a regular thing means you're always learning and improving, which is a win for everyone involved.

Consider the alignment of your strategies with the core values and vision of the businesses you're advising. It's crucial that your recommendations not only aim for growth and efficiency but also resonate deeply with the fundamental principles and long-term aspirations of your clients. This alignment ensures that the strategies you propose feel authentic and relevant to your clients, making them more likely to be embraced and implemented effectively. Taking the time to deeply understand and integrate the unique values and vision of each business into your decision-making process can significantly enhance the receptiveness and effectiveness of your coaching.