Business coaches can impart a lot of wisdom, but coaches also learn a lot on the job too, as leadership coach Leland Sandler explains.
If you want to get ahead in life, it helps to have a coach who
can guide you along the way. That’s just as true for business executives as it
is for sports teams. Coaches often have a lot of experience and knowledge, and
coaching itself can be an enlightening experience. Professional coach Leland Sandler provides insights.
“The best manager doesn’t need to be the smartest person in
the room. Likewise, a coach doesn’t need to be the most talented or skilled
person on the field or in the conference room,” notes Leland Sandler. “What’s
crucial is getting people to perform at their best, which means inspiring folks
to go above and beyond.”
So what goes into being an inspiring leader? For leaders, it
can be tempting to get caught up in the flow. Whether you’re playing a sports
game, say basketball, or managing a department, it’s easy to lose sight of the
big picture and the objective reality. This makes it harder for a leader to
coordinate different parties.
Fortunately, coaches often have a more detached view. As a
business and leadership coach, you must have a clear, objective view of your
clients, their business, and all the other factors. It’s a lot easier to put
people in a position where they will succeed if you can remain objective.
Coaches can also impart this objectivity to their clients, helping them step
back and see the bigger picture.
“I’ve had a few people ask me why I love coaching so much.
It’s a big commitment and takes a lot of work, after all,” notes Leland Sandler. “A big part of what
I love about coaching is the ability to step in as a more neutral party and to
provide a fresh perspective.
When people and organizations work with leadership coaches,
it’s often because they know they have areas to improve. Coaches are often
outsiders, so they can remain more objective. Still, even as an outsider,
you’ll have to put effort into being objective.
“No one is perfect, and we can rarely be 100 percent
objective,” notes Leland Sandler. “Early on, I realized that one of the best
ways I can help my clients was to offer an outsider’s objective perspective,
but that takes mindful effort on the coach’s part.”
Leland Sandler Discusses
Building a Team Culture
Many companies have been moving aggressively to establish
strong corporate and organizational cultures in recent years. When successful,
the right culture can increase productivity, reduce tensions, and keep folks on
task. Often, these companies hire coaches and other consultants to build and
instill a strong culture. Certainly, Leland Sandler has seen the results of a
strong culture.
“The highest performing companies are often those with a
robust company culture,” says Leland Sandler. “You can’t and won’t want to
hover behind every employee. With a strong culture, it’s easier to keep people
on task with minimal intervention.”
On the other hand, a toxic culture can hold back even the most
skilled and dedicated employees. As a result, even talented employees can need
help to remain productive. Companies with poor cultures often need help to
maintain engagement and productivity.
“Engagement is one of the biggest challenges of our times,”
notes Leland Sandler. “There are so many gizmos that beg for your attention, so
many websites and tv shows and everything else that wants to toss you down the
rabbit hole.”
A company culture that encourages teamwork, respect, and
consistent effort can bolster engagement if team members feel appreciated and
know that their company will go above and beyond the employees, too, are often
more willing to go above and beyond.
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