🎙️ EP 7 : The easiest way to get started with coaching at work

I often see Leaders wanting to go full in right away when they learned some fundamental executing skills. Of course, coaching has incredible value. But most people get disappointed about the impact of their first steps. Instead of pulling off perfect coaching conversations right out of the gate (which no one really can), I suggest that we instead focus on small concrete steps that can be built right into our existing conversations.

Introducing coaching in our Leader day is more likely to succeed if our first steps build on what is already there and don’t change elements too radically.

One of the simplest methods to introduce the idea of coaching is to change the order of the typical conversation elements we have in meetings and 1-1s. When asked for our opinion, we often tell what we think and only then remember to ask what their opinion and recommendation might be. I recommend to simply reverse that order. It will instantly turn that moment in a coaching moment.

Yes, we might lose our position in the limelight and give up control of the conversation. We might also (if we really admit it) feel the lost opportunity of shining in the limelight, especially if our team member coincidentally comes up with the same idea we had. However, don’t this reversal will be a big contributor to motivation if they follow through on their own ideas.

For most of us, this means to focus our attention on the exact moment when we are being asked for advice. If we give in to our reflexes, we will simply say what comes to mind for us…which is typically some dose of well-meant advice. If we manage to wait just a few seconds (count to 5) instead, you should be able to have your prefrontal cortex back in control. You will be able to step back a little and ask at least one question to buy you more time to think: ‘What do you recommend?’

After all, you don’t want to waste time giving advice that your team member has already considered and knows does not work. You want to make sure you focus the conversation use the available time really well. The question on the recommendation is very powerful to achieve that.

Enjoy the experimentation!