5 Reasons Coaching is an Integral Part of Your Journey
One of the signs of a great leader is the constant pursuit of learning and development. That’s because the best leaders, the ones who make a lasting and positive impact on their organizations, understand that development isn’t just for people starting out in their careers. At its core, coaching provides executives and leaders with the mentorship, guidance, and trust that they need to reflect on what they know and to learn how to gain the knowledge and experience they need to become more effective. In your journey to maximize your skills as a leader, a coach is vital to becoming the best you can be.
Why Coaching is Important
Since time immemorial, leaders have relied on the counsel of outside experts. And while the field has changed in recent decades, the bottom line is that coaching works. When a leader teams up with the right coach, great potential is unleashed, leading to improved performance that trickles down to the rest of the organization. Also, leadership is not something that can be taught; it is a skill that must be honed through experience. A great coach provides a leader with the “safe space” they need to grow and develop fearlessly.
How Coaching Works
Depending on your goals, coaching can take place over weeks, months, or even years. Typically, the process begins with a briefing wherein your coach learns your organization's context and needs. Then, your coach will work with you to set specific and achievable goals. Within that framework, your coach will observe your work objectively and offer feedback on your progress.
5 Reasons a Coach is Invaluable to Your Journey
Identification of strengths and weaknesses: Even if you are already aware of your strengths and weakness, a coach will help you dig deeper. You will learn how to maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses, often by developing trust in your team, which benefits many people at once.
Instant and effective feedback: The feedback you receive from a coach reinforces your desired behavior, which gets you closer to the results you need and want. You will learn what keeps you from achieving your goals and will receive specific and actionable guidance on advocating optimal behavior.
Improvement of decision-making skills: As a leader, you are likely faced with having to make innumerable decisions on a daily basis. And while decision-making may seem like a simple tactical leadership skill, coaching can help you develop the "soft skills," such as self-confidence, relationship building, and trust, necessary to make informed and confident decisions.
Gaining competitive advantage: Coaching can be analogous to learning CPR before a crisis occurs – coaching that teaches you to deal with leadership problems and obstacles before they happen can give you an edge that positions you as an expert in times of uncertainty.
Personal development: Finally, an executive coach can help you build the resiliency you need to manage work and home stresses. As a leader, you likely lead a busy life of tremendous obligations both in and out of the workplace. In this time where we are all adjusting to what may become the new normal, resiliency and adaptability are critical tools to staying sane, healthy, and productive.
In our experience, many leaders tell us that if they’d known about the benefits of executive coaching, they would’ve done it years earlier. Leadership Delta is proud to offer the expertise of our team of coaches for individual, group and team coaching. To get genuine, mindful, and authentic coaching that will take your leadership skills to the next level, contact us today to see how we can help you!