Flex your intelligence

Over my career, I've worked for multiple global businesses where I have been lucky enough to work as a coach with internal-clients from across the world (at last count, 20 nationalities). The clients all have something in common; the desire to improve and develop some aspect of their life.

From the get-go, the coaching relationship is key. If you don’t have ‘chemistry’ (which typically comes from a shared understanding), two things may happen, 1) the client gives up on the coach and looks for another, 2) or worse still, the client dismisses the value of coaching. Typically, where the chemistry lacks, is when the coach insists on approaching the sessions in a way that is very corporate, not culturally sensitive and lacks human connection.

I've learnt a few things (with more to learn) about how to engage and maintain a relationship with a cross-cultural-client. I thought I would share my learns with you and welcome your recommendations.

Top tips on how to coach cross-cultural clients when working across different regions and cultures:

• Cultural Intelligence: Working as a coach across cultures, requires one to suspend their ethnocentric approach and adapt to the client’s world. This includes not to be so purist about the coaching process and investing in building trust early in the relationship. Trust not only varies from person to person, but also from culture to culture. Take time to learn about the clients culture - this brilliant resource may help you get started. https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison-tool
• Coaching intelligence: Really invest the coach/client relationship and lay out very clearly the different topics that can be explored.?I've spoken to some clients who understand coaching to be only in service to the business and their job role. They do not realize that topics such as work-life balance, career exploration, managing difficult people are all available for discussion. If you can help the individual excel in their coaching topic, their work environment will benefit by default.
• Business Intelligence: Learn about the client’s business and industry (you don’t need to be an expert) and having light insight allows you to ask the client more directed questions about their personal challenges.
• Emotional intelligence: I personally see emotional intelligence as the foundation skill required of a coach and from which all other coaching skills arise. Some coaches have conversations that focus on the task rather than the experience and direct the conversation into a more tick-box/ corporate approach. The power of exploring emotions, behaviors, and the learnings, through the lens of Goleman’s EQ Theory will support the growth of the client and of course the coach. ?
• Reflection: Reflect on journey as a coach and at key points during the coaching session, offer space and time to the client to do the same. Helping the client identify key-learns will help them see the added value of coaching throughout their journey. Once the trust develops, you can set deeper and meaningful assignments for the client to explore further

And finally, flex your intelligences. All the skills to be an amazing coach are only useful if you can flex your style to the client. In my opinion, coaching is in an interaction with another person who is relying on your skills to help them find their own way. Learn about what motivates and inspires them. If you are only ever a great coach with someone from a similar background to you, you are truly missing out on the opportunity to maximize your coaching skills. Flexing your intelligences is cool.

#coaching #coachingforleaders #crossculturalintelligence #emotionalintelligence?