How can you help leaders develop creativity and innovation skills in a transition?

As a Coach we need to never assume we have all of the answers. It is always my fundamental thinking that the client already has the answers within themselves. Our role as a coach is to help the client find these answers. If they are motivated enough to seek you out, there is an obvious willingness to improve what is they feel lacking. As a Coach we help the client recognise where it they need to improve. We then help them to put some steps and commitment in place for the client fill the void of what it is they recognise as their lacking. Self ownership of the desired outcome is the most powerful motivation.

Coaching is a journey of learning first about yourself and then helping others. I've learned that when coaching, you have to establish what psychological safety looks like, hear about about the journey of your clients, challenge their/your biases, and celebrate their achievements. There is a primary strength needed when coaching, and that's listening. Now, I don't mean listening with judgment, I mean listening, which usually helps one’s client answer their own question. Now that you've heard about their journey, you can write out goals, monitor the progress, celebrate any progress, etc. Remember, to be an effective coach, you must master the skill of listening.

Isn't it fascinating how we're all a unique blend of strengths and areas just waiting for a bit of polish? I've seen firsthand in my 4Life journey how vital it is to understand these nuances. For instance, once I realized my team member had a knack for intuitive decision-making but hesitated with risk-taking, we worked on balancing these traits. It's like having a personal roadmap for growth – knowing where you are, and where you could venture with a little guidance!

While challenging one’s biases and/or beliefs is critical, some components are needed to make that a reality. There must be psychological safety in the way one needs to feel comfortable sharing their beliefs that may need to be challenged. Then, intentionally create the time for one to share their thoughts, goals, celebrations, challenges, etc. Also, while one may now feel comfortable sharing one's thoughts, make sure to be respectful when challenging one's beliefs and apologize if one becomes uncomfortable during this conversation. Now that the environment has been established and what’s needed, keep in mind one’s goals but partner with them to create action steps and maintain the progress. Always reiterate the greatness they have within.

You have to challenge assumptions and beliefs n order to push them outside of their comfort zones. The best way I’ve found to do this is through asking hard/thought provoking questions. Coaching is all about asking the right questions to help the client generate ideas. The best questions, by nature, challenge previously held beliefs and assumptions.

While this seems like an easy task, it can also be challenging. When exploring possible projects to develop the skills of creativity and innovation, partner with your clients. When I say “partner,” I mean that literally. Collaborate with them to explore projects that magnify their current areas of strength and develop some new career muscles/skills as well. Additionally, once you've created goals, it's essential to ask how you can support them in the process and hold your clients accountable. Yes, it's great to write out goals, but it's even better to achieve them. As a result, your client has now developed new skills, refreshed used skills, and has a support system to continue learning new skills.

Experimentation is the playground of innovation, isn't it? I love this part! It's like encouraging a child to play with different blocks to see what they can build. In my team, we have this motto: "Try, fail, learn, repeat." It's all about creating a space where trying and 'failing' is just part of the journey. Every 'oops' moment is a step towards a 'eureka' one. That's the spirit we need to instill – where every attempt, successful or not, is a victory.

Well, within the organisation structure we need to Break down silos and encourage collaboration across departments and functional groups. Taking the example of my own aerospace industry, the working within isolation boundaries of structural design, analysis, weight control, aerodynamics, inboards design, Methods planning, tooling and Structural assembly shall be abolished. Moreover, we need to encourage fostering a sense of shared responsibility for solving problems among these groups.

As I'm writing, I see a trend. I'm on the same frequency with the layout of the questions - yay! I digressed; on my coaching journey, I've seen a prevalent pattern of people not feeling comfortable speaking in large settings or small groups. Now that you've written out your goals allow your client to read aloud their next steps and to present their progress with you first and then possibly bring in other trusted individuals to help further develop that skill. Whether they're joining to listen, challenging ideas, etc., you want to help your client become comfortable being uncomfortable. This will probably be very hard at first, but they will hopefully their appreciate their evolution of confidence when communicating.

Alright, we made it through the frustrating moments, writing out goals, challenging biases/blindspots - ourselves. Let's take a moment to go back to the beginning to see all areas of progress. Again, no matter how big or small, all progress is progress. Ask your client now or initially, “Once we accomplish this goal, how can I celebrate you?” Whether you're speaking words of affirmation, whether you're going for a walk/jog to hear how they've handled becoming their best self, whatever is done, remember that you are their support system. The journey doesn't stop here, so keep going. Keep learning new career muscles and learning new skills as well.

There's nothing like the power of celebration to boost morale and motivation. It's the confetti at the end of a hard-work marathon. In my business, we make a big deal out of small wins, because every step forward is a dance move towards success. When a team member cracks a tough problem, we're all over it with congratulations. It's about creating an environment where progress, in any form, is recognized and cheered. After all, a journey is made up of steps, not just the destination!

When leaders are in a transition, they are challenged by new scenarios and unknown situations. As a life coach, we can support them so that they can recognize how much they have achieved in these challenges, the new skills they are developing and the growth that this represents for their positions. Celebrating these achievements makes a leader in transition reconnect with his purpose and renew his energies for processes that can be long and complex.

Like in Coaching for anything else, what you do not do is just as important as what you do indeed do, when it comes to helping Leaders with creativity and innovation skills. In the case of creativity and innovation skills, it is critical for a Life Coach to first remain "unboxed", and then to ensure that the client remains "unboxed". Creativity is without boundaries, and it is infinite. It cannot be encouraged or developed by using moulds. As a Life Coach you are only as much of a service, rather than a disservice, as your ability to ensure that the moulds are broken, rather than introduced, in the development of your clients when it comes to creative or innovative thinking, whether in a transition context, or any other.

Awareness is what drives creation, or better said, co-creation. We tend to think our ways to creation, while it is our ability to be present in the world that opens us up to the things around us that inspire us or bring the messages that we need to complete our creation. Creation takes time and is more of a process than it’s a task. It’s something I do every single day. It’s how I wake up, how I interact with others and how I read articles or watch movies. They are all gateways into new ideas and help me grow the vision I have about my life and about the world I’d like to contribute to.

Reflecting on my journey, one thing stands out: the power of empathy in fostering creativity and innovation. When we truly understand and connect with others' experiences, we unlock new perspectives that fuel innovation. Empathy isn't just a soft skill; it's a catalyst for creative and innovative thinking.