How do Leaders go from boss to coach?
In my business as an executive coach one of the areas of growth I am working on with my clients is how to move from “boss” to “coach.”
I personally recall many times in my experience that I was definitely seen more as a boss than a coach and I wanted everyone to do things the way I saw them best to be done. It didn’t really sink in until I reflected back on all of the coaching conversations I have had with my clients in the past year and how many of them struggle with this area just like I did.
A lot of times as leaders, unless we are working with a coach, we don’t know what we don’t know and it helped me immensely to have a good coach to talk through different employee challenges with so I handled them best as a leader and had someone help me see what I didn’t see.
This past month I have been writing a lot and I wanted to share what has helped me over my personal leadership development journey to move from being a boss to being a coach (and if you aren’t, you may want to take notes here) and what I have seen these 3 things do to take my clients to the next level in their leadership.
1. Don’t take shortcuts: In leadership, to me, the most important thing you can do is take the time to connect with the people you lead. What do you know about them that they wish they could do more of in their role? What areas do they want to grow in this year and how can you help them? Time is the most precious resource we all have and leaders who give their valuable time to those they lead to connect more with them are the ones who I see succeeding most.
2. Understand their strengths: GOLDEN NUGGET TIP! If you as a leader understand (truly understand) what your employees are not just good at, but what energizes them in their role, you are unlocking a treasure chest of possibilities. I was good at a lot of things in my past job, but no one asked if it ever energized me and in time, I began to hate those tasks. This happens to be my specialty so if you need help here, email me: kelly@thekellymerblercompany.com.
3. Empower them: So many times, I hear and can relate to as well, that leaders are not empowering their employees to make decisions. Do they have to go through so much red tape just to get something simple done that sucks the life and energy out of them? If you hired someone you picked the person you wanted because you saw something they brought in their skills or abilities. If they can’t make decisions ever and it’s painful to get things done, would you want to work there? One of the greatest quotes I lean into is from Craig Groeschel: “Trust is given, mistrust is earned.”
Bonus Tip: When you stop loving people, stop leading people. No one wants a “boss” but we all want to be led and inspired. If I were to have a nickel for every employee who tells me they just want to know they are adding value and are valued I would be sitting on a beach in St. Tropez sipping champagne all day.
Until next time.
Lead with Love,
Kelly
P.S. What would you like to hear more from me to help you in your leadership? Send me what you want most and I will write about it in an upcoming post or article.
