You understand how powerful coaching is, but you’re afraid it takes too much time.
I get it. Even though you know that coaching your team members can help them be more engaged and productive, adding one more thing to your already packed days feels daunting.
The good news is that you’re wrong! At least wrong about it taking too much of your time.
It’s a general misconception that coaching a direct report has to be a scheduled, sit-down, lengthy, in-depth meeting.
That might be the case sometimes, but if that was the only way to coach an employee, of course it would be difficult to work that into your already packed schedule every time an employee had an issue, a question, or needed support or guidance.
The truth is that coaching your team members to be more productive, self-sufficient and responsible (and more resilient, happy and collaborative, too!) doesn’t have to take any more time than you spend with them right now — if you do it right.
Coaching is a unique set of communication skills that, when mastered, delivers a double benefit. These powerful leadership skills build positive, respectful work relationships AND empower your teams to get the work done right and on time.
When your employees are coached well, they feel heard and valued. Then they’re much more likely to show up every day inspired and willing to do their best work.
Then YOU are a lot more productive and efficient, and much happier too!
Sharpen Your Saw
I understand that learning and mastering a new skill can take valuable time and energy out of your already-packed day, even before you actually start practicing coaching your team members.
I imagine it feels easier to just push through your day and hope for the best.
Do you remember the story of the woodcutter who, instead of saying ‘I don’t have time to sharpen my saw!’, regularly took the time to do that so their work was easier in the long run?
Taking the time now to learn and master these skills is important if you want to keep your own saw sharp and grow into a more efficient and effective leader sooner rather than later.
Here are some of the many ways you and your team will get more done in less time — and save your company money — when you begin building a sustainable Coaching Culture by integrating these powerful skills into your every-day work conversations:
- You eliminate a lot of the back-story, the emotions, and the “noise” that typically clutter and sidetrack effective communication at work.
- You can “cut to the chase” and get to the heart of an issue or goal faster, then you can get to the solution and the action sooner, too.
- They will listen to you more willingly and be less resistant to your guidance when you share your own thoughts and expectations respectfully.
- You will reduce (or even eliminate!) costly delays and mistakes caused by miscommunication, personal agendas, assumptions and drama.
- You can leverage “corridor coaching” to build deeper connection, rapport, and trust with everyone on your team.
- You can stop micro-managing your team and start focusing on your own neglected to-do list because they’re empowered to be more self-sufficient.
- Your team will bond more quickly into a drama-free, cohesive, co-creative, and collaborative unit when you model respectful and professional communication skills.
Mind Your Gaps
Now read through the list above again and pay closer attention to which of the benefits you mentally replied to with “Yeah, that would be nice” or perhaps a more emphatic “YES! I want this!”
This will tell you where the gaps are between where you and your team are right now and where you want to be; where you and your team have room for personal and professional development.
Filling these gaps is your responsibility.
One of my favorite quotes from Zig Ziglar is:
“You don’t build a business; you build the people, then the people build the business.”
This is your primary work as a leader, manager, supervisor, or director: to build your people so your people can build their team.
When they take responsibility for their individual and collective results, and you achieve your company’s mission in the world, we all benefit.
Are you still worried that you don’t have enough time to coach your team members? If you truly want a fully engaged, resilient team that gets along and gets the work done, you should be worried that…
…you don’t have time NOT to coach them!
What other questions or concerns do you have about coaching your team members? Please share in the comments below!
Who else do you know that would find value in this? Please share and tag them!
Laurie Cameron, ACC
Mentor Coach for Mission-Driven Leaders who are committed to building a sustainable Coaching Culture that supports a fully engaged, resilient workforce.
