? Empowering Managers to Become Effective & Inclusive Coaches

If you missed our latest OpenSesame webinar with Audrey Cavenecia from Amplify Voices , don't fret. We've got you covered with a quick snapshot summary of what was discussed and the key takeaways that will help you make the most of the session.

If you're a leader looking to empower your team and help them reach their full potential, coaching is an incredibly powerful tool to have in your toolkit. But effective coaching isn't just about giving advice or pushing your own agenda. It's about unlocking an individual's inner potential and guiding them towards finding their own solutions.

Audrey Cavenecia, Chief Content Officer of Amplify Voices, shared some incredible insights on coaching strategies for leaders during challenging times in our webinar that left participants feeling inspired and motivated.

Audrey made a crucial point about coaching that often gets overlooked. She highlighted that coaching is not a one-way street, and both the coach and coachee need to be on the same page to make it work. This means that the coach needs to have the coachee's permission to coach them effectively. Additionally, coaching is a structured process that requires clear guidelines, goals, and objectives to achieve the desired outcomes. Without this structure, coaching may become aimless and ineffective.

Audrey's insights remind us that coaching is not just about giving advice or offering feedback but about creating a partnership that allows both parties to work together towards a common goal. It's also about creating an environment where individuals feel heard and supported, and it involves identifying and addressing concerns, building a vision, making it intentional, and creating accountability through follow-up.

The event participants also shared their own questions and insights, such as how to handle time requirements and how to apply pressure while being mindful of an individual's feelings. Audrey provided practical tips on how to ask intentional questions, connect coaching to company culture and values, and use follow-up to ensure accountability.

Here are some additional notes I was able to capture from this amazing session about creating a coaching culture that fosters growth and development:

1. Put a time limit on it: Coaching should be time-bound to ensure that progress is being made and to prevent it from becoming a never-ending process.
2. Listen for what the gap is and help fill it: Instead of focusing on fixing problems, coaches should listen to understand what the gap is and how they can help fill it.
3. Identify and address concerns: Take note of all the concerns and address them. This will help create an environment where individuals feel heard and supported.
4. Make it intentional: Coaching should be intentional and purposeful. Create a plan of action and stick to it. Using a spreadsheet or tracking software can help with this.
5. Follow up for accountability: Hold individuals accountable by following up on progress and ensuring they are on track to achieve their goals.
6. During the follow up, ask questions like, "what did you learn about that?": Encourage individuals to reflect on what they have learned and how they can apply it to future situations.
7. Commitment is key: Remember that you cannot make people do something – it's their commitment that will drive their success.
8. Start with questions: Asking open-ended questions can help individuals reflect and gain insight into their own thinking and also help you as a coach see things from your coachees perspective.
9. Be the light: Until you can see the room individuals are in (their perspective), you cannot coach them effectively. Shine the light on blind spots and help individuals see the path forward.

Ultimately, the webinar provided valuable insights into how leaders can become effective coaches and empower their teams to reach their full potential.

Incorporating these coaching tips and strategies into your leadership practice can help create a culture of growth and development that fosters success for individuals and the organization as a whole. So why not take a cue from Audrey Cavenecia and start empowering your team to achieve their full potential today?

??Check out Amplify Voices courses in our catalog: https://www.opensesame.com/c/coaching-101-leaders-and-managers-974624 ?

??Listen to the Podcast that inspired this session: https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/amplify-voices-conversations-from-the-heart-58008/coaching-101-for-leaders-managers-1514959906