“Unless, therefore, an executive looks for strength and works at making strength productive, he will only get the impact of what a man cannot do, of his lacks, his weaknesses, his impediments to performance and effectiveness. To staff from what there is not and to focus on weakness is wasteful - a misuse, if not abuse, of the human resource.” - Peter Drucker, The Effective Executive
Read MoreThere are so many advantages to coaching employees when they bring you problems.
The employee is developing and honing their critical thinking skills.
The boss isn’t getting sucked into every little employee problem (what we often call ‘reverse delegation’).
The employee is learning how to take initiative and be proactive.
Short article with great tips and useful coaching questions.
My favourite: If you want people to listen to you, listen to them.
Also: Talk less. People listen when you talk less.
And: Ask questions before making statements.
This is a popular question from leaders when they are struggling to make a difference with one of their people. In my coaching certification I did not like the answer. They suggested that everyone is coachable - it's just that there are ineffective coaches. Ouch!
Read MoreAs a leader, if you can be curious when coaching people - in a forward-facing way - you will create clarity that's followed by energy. Minimize time spent asking about the past. Rather focus more on where people want to go and get curious about how they might move forward.
Read More“Leadership is about understanding others and getting them to do what THEY want to do.”
Read MoreSuccess is always about people. All managers get things done through people, the question is how. Another great, succinct article by Dan Rockwell provides some distinctions between coaching managers and traditional managers.
Read MoreAs a manager or leader, if you can't hold the belief that your people are capable, you cannot coach them. Coaching is only possible on this foundational belief.
To be a more effective coach - Stop focusing on lack. Begin focusing on capability. If your people aren't capable you hired the wrong people.
This short article provides some great coaching questions you can use in dealing with capable people.
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