As well as coaching leaders, I also help other coaches improve their craft through mentoring. Helping another coach become even more awesome is just gorgeous.
A typical challenge they face is something you as a leader may recognise.
Struggle. Lots of effort. Doing all the right things.
Yet….
they seem to be stuck. Things aren’t moving forward, or they are sluggish. It’s like they have to put so much effort in to just move things an inch.
Perhaps you have experienced that with your team? Or with a particular person?
It’s something I see so often in my mentees: they are working too hard.
Why? usually because they want progress so much, that they can’t sit still in those silent, nothing seems to be happening moments. So they jump in with ideas and solutions. And they drive the action.
Sound familiar?
So their clients go along for the ride. This is helpful, after all. Their coach is helping them, giving them so many ideas. So they relax, and unconsciously start taking a back seat.
Maybe they rely on the drive of the coach to keep them going.
And the coach gets tired. Things aren’t moving easily, so they put even more effort in, because they care and want their client to get results.
Ringing any bells?
Leaders and coaches have something in common
(just focusing on this one thing for now)
Their job is to help others perform by bringing out the best in themselves. Help them find and expand their talents. Be the best version of themselves, which allows them to work well in their teams and achieve their goals.
But if as a leader it all feels like such hard work, that without you driving so hard, things would stop….
Then maybe you are working too hard.
So maybe you need what my mentees need: to find out how to make progress without working so hard.
I help them reconnect to their role, and do the two hardest things for achievers:
- let go of controlling everything
- get (empower) others to do the work
Everyone wins.
Clients (and teams) get to have autonomy, input, be creative, and make the magic happen.
And the coach (and leader) gets to bring out the best in others by being in flow.
This post is part of my special Coaching Tips Series. This series was inspired by my clients and the core themes in their challenges. When we can apply these tips, we bring a lot of ease into our lives and step into our leadership. Want to talk it through with me? Call me and let’s make a Game Plan together.