In our coaching business we help others realize their full potential. But you do not need to be a professional coach to help your teams solve their own problems. Follow a few simple guidelines and go from directing teams to empowering teams.
-Never let your team think you have all the answers. That creates dependence.
-Help teams think about the process and ask probing questions … be curious
-Coaching others means helping them get under the surface to discover their potential.
-Facilitate their answers. Integrate some of your own ideas and drive ownership.
-Ask them for the best solution and help them create a game plan
-Let your team create due dates and how they will drive accountability.
The goals is to facilitate your team through understanding the problem, picking the best solution, developing a plan and taking ultimate ownership. This will create an independent employee and improve your skills as a coach. And ultimately create a better performing organization.
So what is the best way to do this? Improve your listening skills. Are you truly listening to the other person, or have you already prepared and answer half way through their explanation. Use the power of brainstorming as they come up with a solution set. It is perfectly fine to add your own solutions, but for every solution you add to the list, they should add 3 or more. And finally, give them a simple template to create accountability. We do not need elaborate Gantt charts with critical path. A simple who, what and when plan will suffice.
And if you do need professional coaching in your organization please reach out. We have individual solutions, team building systems and world class problem solving skills to move your team forward.
donvanpool@optaprofit.com
