As a leader, I must be aware of how my words and actions impact others. Coaching for impact allows me to be transparent as I build momentum among my direct reports.
This blog post republishes my personal weekday LinkedIn posts that appeared July 5 through July 9, 2021. The theme of these posts is coaching for impact.
Be Transparent
Hah, easy for you to say!
As an introvert, I’ve been told I don’t open up enough, including “don’t you ever let anyone inside?”
Ok, I get it. But that knowledge doesn’t make being transparent any easier for me.
It’s more difficult to share with others when lacking an understanding of who I am. Thus, self-awareness is a factor in transparency.
For a leader, a lack of transparency means missed opportunities to interact with others on a deeply personal level. That is, I miss a chance to have a positive impact in the life of a co-worker.
So, despite the discomfort, it’s good to build self-awareness as I learn to open up!
As a leader, what’s helped you improve your social skills?
Proverbs 14.8 warns me not to be self deceived. Instead, I must think critically to discern who I am. So, invest time today in self-reflection!
What did you learn?
I hate that question!
Invariably, the answer is “nothing, apparently!” How so? Because I’m making the same mistake again.
I recently heard this question from a coach to an 12-year old player in a baseball tournament. “What did you learn in your last at bat?”
Experience is a great teacher. But, only if I actually learn something! Why no learning? Personally because I’m:
1). Too stubborn to listen
2). Too distracted to reflect
3). Convinced I just need to try harder!
The lesson here for leaders is: do the hard work of intentional reflection in a daily debrief so you can convert experiences into insights that make sense of what has happened.
So, what works for you to make sense of things?
Proverbs 4.4 teaches that life balance comes through our ability to make sense of things, in part, by listening to others!
Coaching for impact!
What do you say after a loss? You know, when things don’t go as planned or as practiced.
I recently witnessed two examples – one good, one bad, at a 12-year old travel baseball tournament.
First, the bad. The team lost. There was a game-ending, close play at the plate that went against them. Combine that with poor base running. What you have is an angry coach who yelled at his players as they walked off after the game. I could hear it on the other side of the field.
Now, the good. The team lost. I heard the post-game talk because I was sitting nearby. The coach was encouraging. He pointed out the good, while noting opportunities for improvement. He stressed having a positive mindset.
As a leader, my words have impact. For better or worse. Thus, I must be conscious of my coaching. Especially, I believe, during times of loss such as an economic downturn or budget cutting.
A leader’s tone, body language, and resolve can drain energy or motivate for growth.
What techniques do you use to motivate during times of stress?
Proverbs 12.18 teaches that what I say can pierce or can heal. So, I must choose my words wisely!
Momentum is a game changer!
Positive emotion impacts a team’s performance.
There’s nothing like an early win to excite and provide momentum.
At a recent baseball tournament I watched a team lose badly. My grandson’s team played them next. I was looking forward to an easy win!
Early in that following game the team that had played so poorly before took an early lead on a two-run homer. For the rest of the game they fought hard, played well, and kept things close.
For them, that early lead was a game changer.
Likewise, I believe leaders can impact the mindset of an organization, producing positive momentum. So, be like that group of 12-year old kids I described. Learn from losses. Reenergize! Stay engaged!
I can move on to compete again. Why? Because failure or a set-back isn’t final unless I choose it to be that way!
Joshua 23.10 talks about momentum, saying “one of you will chase a thousand.”
The scorner in your midst!
Ever work with, or have a client who was, habitually scornful? For me, YES to both.
Now, how unpleasant was it? you know, they start speaking and everyone thinks “here it comes!”
How does someone get this way? Well, always “glass half full” is one answer. Worse yet, companion traits include being a trouble maker, overconfidence, arrogance, and in general, being a know-it-all.
How do you fix this? In my experience, you don’t! It’s incurable.
If you cannot fire them, or transfer them to a dead-end slot, you’re stuck with a bad hire. A series of negative annual reviews only reinforces their view that everyone and everything is stacked against them!
Guess what? In one sense they’re correct. They’ve turned everyone against them with constant negativity.
Are you a scorner? Do you look down on others with disdain? Do you mock any suggestion that disagrees with your superior intelligence?
If Yes, don’t be surprised that you have no influence and that others avoid you!
As a leader, how have you dealt with the scorner in your midst?
Humility is the converse of scorn, according to Proverbs 3.34. Worse yet, that verse says God scorns the scorner. If you believe in divine retribution, here’s your proof!
Actions are a choice!
In scripture, wise behavior is deliberate. As such, my responses and actions are a choice, so choose wisely!
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