Am I Unlocking My Team’s Potential?

10 Key Learnings About the Power of Coaching

Coaching can be instrumental for driving business success and team cohesion. When coaching is embraced, it nurtures growth, accountability, and innovation within teams. Conversely, the absence of coaching can lead to stagnation, frustration, and disengagement.

With seven years of professional coaching practice now behind me, and having worked with thousands of individuals, teams, and groups, I share my key learnings that have transformed my work and life.

1. Guiding the Journey from A to B: I assist individuals in identifying their goals (point B) and understanding their current situation (point A). Then I support navigating this journey effectively.

2. Leveraging Emotions for Faster Progress: I’ve found that acknowledging and addressing emotions can accelerate progress. When a coachee gets clear about the feelings and emotions involved, it can create "wormholes" for them to get to the desired new reality.

3. Staying Out of the Shower: I maintain an empathetic stance, acknowledging my coachee’s emotions without getting entangled. This helps create a safe space for them to explore and resolve their feelings independently.

4. Practicing Universal Positive Regard: This mindset fosters deep empathy and connection. I remind myself that everyone has struggles, which enhances my patience and understanding during coaching sessions. My go-to phrase to get me there: "This person experiences suffering and pain just like I do."

5. Coachee as the Accountable Driver: I provide the tools and guidance, and the coachee remains in control of their journey. This empowers them to take ownership of their progress and outcomes.

6. Always Be Contracting (ABC): Regularly seeking consent ensures that the coachee is comfortable and engaged in the process, fostering a collaborative and respectful relationship. "Is it ok for you if we..." is a phrase I use often.

7. Transforming Limiting Beliefs into Positive Affirmations: I help coachees identify and challenge their limiting beliefs, transforming them into empowering affirmations that drive positive change.

8. Staying Curious, Even Longer: Maintaining a curious stance allows me to explore deeper insights and solutions with my coachees, avoiding the trap of giving unsolicited advice.

9. Generating Lots of Options Before Action: I encourage coachees to brainstorm multiple options (at least 8) before choosing their actions. This expands their thinking and increases the likelihood of finding optimal solutions.

10. Setting Well-Formed Goals: Ending sessions with clear, actionable goals and an agreed-upon follow-up procedure ensures continuity and accountability.

When Teams Have a Strong Coaching Culture: they thrive on collaboration, continuous learning, and mutual support. This culture fosters innovation, resilience, and high performance, creating an environment where individuals feel valued and motivated to contribute their best.

The Pitfalls of Advice-Giving and Micro-Management: When coaching is replaced by advice-giving and micro-management, it stifles creativity and autonomy. Teams become reliant on directives rather than developing their problem-solving skills, leading to reduced engagement and productivity.

#Gratitude: Thank you to everyone I have connected with over the years. You all have helped me learn and grow. ??

Contact Me: I invite you to connect with me for a personal conversation about how people skills, tools, and methods can transform your team’s dynamics and drive success.

Visual Summary