In our coaching work, one of our key aspirations is to enable transformation. This means a client is no longer the same person as they were when they started coaching.
One client I recall was a sales leader who was identified as being ready to move up to the next level of leadership. One challenge in the way was their penchant for micromanagement. When we first talked about this tendency, they said they only did it as part of the onboarding process. Once a new team member was established, they’d ease up.
Well, after interviewing veteran team members, I determined that was not true. Apparently, they didn’t let up at all.
My client’s goal was to move up to the next level, and they were keen to make it happen, but they weren’t going to get there as the same person they were today. We needed something to get them motivated to change.
What could they contribute to the organization with time freed up by delegating and trusting their team more?
It was strategic level thinking. They aspired to be more strategic and yet found little time to do so. They also knew that they’d have to do this if they were promoted. That was ample motivation to change.
Interestingly, they didn’t just change at work. They also changed at home.
They started reading uplifting literature in the morning. They drank less, ate better, spent quality time with their daughter and more. It was amazing to see the transformation.
How did this happen? In coaching conversations we’d talk not just about their insights as many coaches do at the end of the session. We’d also talk about how they’re seeing themselves differently – a strategic leader. And we’d talk about what their goal was – to get promoted. And what they’d do differently once they were promoted – be a more inclusive leader.
The lesson here is to go beyond insights. I’ve seen many coaching sessions where the conversation basically wraps up with insights and a commitment to near term action. What’s left out is the change that’s coming about due to the insights and the goal they want to set to change. What else? How are they seeing the world differently due to the insights that emerged?
These are the elements of a coaching session that supports transformation. Don’t leave it to chance that these things happen after the coaching session. Weave them in as appropriate and you’ll find your coaching does more to enable your clients to change in desired ways.
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