Why learn to coach?

Leadership is hard. Over the years, leadership styles have evolved from directive, authoritative, transactional methods to include more people centered inclusive, servant, compassionate leadership styles. New styles unlike traditional leadership models, place the needs and priorities of team members front and center and giving organizations the responsibility of supporting them.

To be an effective manager, often means being tough and doing hard things and showing compassion without compromising on effectiveness. Wise compassionate leadership is the ability to do hard things in a human way. Transactional leaders provide clear guidance on the performance expected of employees and the consequences of achieving goals. Employees are motivated extrinsically (externally), i.e., through rewards, tasks, and responsibilities. On the other hand, True transformational leadership seeks to awaken employees’ intrinsic (inner) motivation, thereby creating loyalty, respect, and trust in the leader.

The modern skilled has broad exposure and experiences and is basically smart. Maslow’s basic needs are often met and employees are looking at the esteem needs such as respect and appreciation from organizations. Managers investing in building trust and employee careers has shown to improve employee engagement, hiring and retention, productivity, and competitive advantage, setting the business up for long-term success.

Individuals with fast busy lifestyle with very little time and are left with very less patience and energy to reflect and look within for answers

This has opened up doors for the Coaching as a profession. People take up ICF credentialed coach certification for many reasons. Mine started with curiosity to understand this area and I stayed on this journey for many reasons:

• Inner growth — Coaching takes you on a path of reflection, self-discovery and inner growth. It facilitates self-awareness and exploration of deeper values, beliefs, strengths, biases to gain more clarity
• Joy of helping someone — Coaching is Humanitarian. Always look for the good in people, being generous with your time and listening to someone else. When the coachee has an ‘aha’ moments and they transform, it can be truly uplifting
• Letting go control and going with the flow — Putting the client at the center, being led is a different experience for someone who has been leading and managing teams.
• Being truly present and listening — Taking the time to be present and Giving space for exploration is a much needed skill in our every busy professional and personal lives.
• Humbling — Unconditional positive regard for the other, accepting people who they are, suspending judgement and being open to diverse perspectives allows you to become aware of your own filters and biases

I am far from done, this is just the beginning …

Lao Tzu said
Knowing others is intelligence
Knowing yourself is true wisdom
Mastering others is strength
Mastering yourself is true power