As a leader it's easy to get caught up in looking after the team, focusing on the business, getting drawn into the day to day. But who is looking after you? Who is making sure you're in the best position to steer the ship?
There's a reason why airlines instruct you to put on your own life jacket or secure your own oxygen mask first, it gives you the best chance of being in the right shape to help others.
It's the same with coaching. More and more businesses are looking to instil coaching culture in their team – but that should start at the top.
Development and learning can slip to one side when you take the reins but defining and improving your skills and your focus is key if you want to lead a successful team.
Executive coaching is a great way to keep sharp, keep learning, and keep growing. But what exactly is it? And how can it help you – and your team?
It can bring clarity and focus
Executive Coaching is a process that can help you find clarity – clarity around your own leadership, clarity around your personal strengths and challenges, and clarity around your future focus. The role of a coach is to support you to set the right goals, make the right decisions, and improve your relationships.
It can help you see blind spots
When you're involved in the everyday it can be hard to get true perspective. An experienced coach can help you see yourself, your team and business more clearly. To question assumptions and look beyond the obvious answers for you and your business. The external perspective you get from an objective third party sounding board can be invaluable.
It can help you clarify what matters to you
Is your role aligned with who you are and where you want to be? Are you giving your energy to the right things? Can you recognise when you are doing well and how do you respond to that? An executive coach can help you become more self-aware and see yourself more clearly, identifying what's important to you and how that fits with the direction of your business.
It can help you navigate challenges
A coach can help you look at how you make decisions, how you handle stressful interactions and what situations trigger you and suggest strategies you can use to navigate them. The right support can help you lead well and take care of yourself while you do it.
It can help you better understand your team
How aligned are you and your team? Is the team dynamic healthy? How do you stay close to your team but manage toxic or negative behaviour? A coach can equip you to create the right dynamic and culture, to invest in the key weight carriers in the business and to manage difficult conversations in your team.
Coaching is all about making sure you’re heading in the right direction and keeping you there. It can help you become more resilient, more balanced, more insightful, and more supportive. It’s a chance to get the support you need to make sure you’re ready to support and lead your team.
If this sounds like something you need, our latest programme Beyond offers bespoke business consultancy as well as the opportunity to work with an executive coach. This will give you the space, time, and support needed to put your own life jacket on first.
For more information about Beyond, visit our website or contact our team at [email protected], all places are fully-funded if you apply before the end of December 2021.