Coaching is more than a buzzword

Coaching has become a buzzword.

I hate buzzwords. The more popular the concept, the more likely it will be misapplied.

But... I love coaching. The more people talk about it, the better.

So we must get it right.

Much of the discussion around coaching or mentoring focuses on the role of the leader. It’s true that the best leaders are good mentors to their subordinates. What we need to consider more, however, is the need for peer-to-peer coaching from other subject matter experts (SME’s).

With so much talk about an aging workforce, it is important to technology companies that their senior experts pass on their expertise to the younger generation. Formal education is important, but one-on-one mentoring is not only a good idea, it is critical to the future of many technology companies.

There are also personal reasons to consider being a SME coach. Think about these two, and feel free to suggest your own.

1)     Employers value SME’s who are willing to coach others. If the hotly debated 70-20-10 model is even remotely reliable, it is coaching we should value most in our employees. Coaches go along for the ride during the “70” and help the learner make wise decisions regarding the “20” and “10.”

2)     Experts who coach are more fulfilled in their role and legacy. Few experts are knowledge-hoarders. Unfortunately, most don’t know how to help others gain the knowledge they themselves have been fortunate enough to get.

In other words, we need more coaching on coaching.

I’ll leave it at that.