Page 1 of 1

+44 (0) 7976 751 095 dan@danbeverly.com http://danbeverly.com

The Coaching Leader's

Nemesis: Adding Value September 2015

The biggest challenge for leaders who want to adopt more of a coaching mentality: turning-off

the burning need to add value. Learn to do that and watch the performance of your team soar.

Leader as Coach

Most of the leaders and managers I work with include

somewhere in their goals the addition of coaching skills to their

leadership toolkit. And I am most happy to oblige: why wouldn't

we want to send more champions of self-belief, thinking,

learning, awareness and personal responsibility out into the

world of work?

Being a coach is a mentality; a whole attitude adjustment; a

recalibration of principles and practices. Changes we're all

capable of making - and that bring hugely powerful results.

So in the pursuit of becoming a coaching leader, where should

you start?

I'm going to suggest we start by addressing the challenge I see

recurring most often in otherwise competent and successful

leaders: the burning need to add value.

The Value (Over-)Add

Picture the scene. A member of staff has an inspired idea and he

takes it to the boss. He articulates his vision with precision and

passion. He enthuses over even the smallest detail; and has

answers for even the biggest objections.

The boss likes it. And then she says: "Great idea. But what would

be even better is if we did it this way."

This might read like a contrived example. But stop and reflect for

a moment; and I would think you can recall any number of

instances throughout your workday of the constant tacking-on of

just-a-little-extra value by (otherwise) successful, competent,

caring leaders and managers.

(I know I can - I was one of those unable to stop adding “value”!)

The Intrinsic De-motivator: Lack

of Ownership

The issue of value add is ownership. Your idea has just become

my idea. And whilst my added value has perhaps improved the

idea, it's come at the cost of a significant reduction in your

commitment, enthusiasm and conviction in its execution.

And what would I rather have: the great idea driven home with

expert execution by a fully committed and motivated staff. Or

the "great idea +", merely actioned by impoverished staff?

The True Value-Add: Drawing-

out What's Already There

So what does a coaching leader do? In short: they let go.

Of course, there'll be times when intervention and instruction

are necessary. (Although far less than many of us might, at first,

think.)

But otherwise, I would really encourage us all to challenge our

own value adds. Why am I really adding to this? For what benefit?

For whose benefit? And at what cost?

By all means, work the proposed idea. Offer challenge and

stretch: the brain loves that.

But let your staff find that extra value. Let them own their idea in

its entirety. Let them nurture it. Draw-out what's already there.

And be the coaching leader your staff will thank you for being.