Coaching Trumps Bossing
John Burns
Working with a great team to solve today to help you navigate to a better tomorrow.
In this series, professionals share how they embrace the entrepreneurial mindset. See the stories here, then write your own (use #BetheBoss in the post).
Every month, the LinkedIn team sends me an e-mail on the Influencer theme of the month. When I read that this month’s topic was “Be the Boss,” I cringed. I know very few professional people who want to be bossed around. I know plenty of people, however, who want to get the opportunity to do great things and the coaching to achieve those things.
Think of your company as a team, and you are the coach. Your team needs your direction, leadership and motivation. We all know great coaches. Perhaps you had a great sports coach as a child, or a great mentor as a young worker. Last year, I wrote about the lessons I learned from one of the greatest coaches of all time, John Wooden, and was surprised to find out how many of my team members had never heard of him. Draw your leadership skills from the coaches you admire.
Consulting Team Strategic Meeting in Chicago, IL (October 2015)
Great coaches delegate. In the last month, our Research and Consulting teams met separately. I did not attend either meeting. Everyone already hears from me every Monday morning, and I will see everyone at two company gatherings in the next five months. I wanted our other coaches to set the agenda and lead meetings where everyone would learn, contribute, and get to know each other individually. I heard the meetings were fantastic. You have no idea how satisfying that can be. A “boss” would never do that.
Research Team Strategic Meeting in Sacramento, CA (October 2015)
Master's degree at California State University-Sacramento-creator of "Upside down income statement" and WOW Factor.
9 年we will agree to disagree on this; coaching should not exist off the sport's field--I spent 45 yrs studying coaching vs non coaching and ONLY coaching associations and such do so. I interviewed 20,000 biz owners to see if they would like coaching vs biz consulting......it was 20,000 no. NO coaching.
CEO & Founder @Leadership EQ ?? Keynote Speaker ?? Best Selling Author ?? Consultant
9 年Hi John Burns Happy New Year! If you are looking for a great book to start of the year. I would like to present ?? you with my first book - ??"The Edge of Leadership: A Leader's Handbook for Success.??" I can assure you it's a worthwhile read and it will add so much value. Thanks for your kind consideration. Sincerely Brigette ??????
Operations Manager
9 年There is a lot of truth in this. I have always tried to coach as opposed to boss.
Regional Sales Manager at Infiltrator Water Technologies
9 年I coach a boys lacrosse team and a sales team. I have my little laughs to myself when I use the same methodology on both! I don't want to be anyone's boss. I would much rather be respected as a great coach to both teams.
MBA | HR I DEI l OB | Marketing | UC Berkeley BA Sociology I Business Research | Social Media Activism I Lifelong Learner | LinkedIn Learning Learner
9 年Perspective changing article! I agree, and time spent developing and coaching people is crucial and rewarding personally and professionally!! I will never view being a superior the same again!