AND WE’RE OFF!
Barreling down the track into a brand new year means we’ve got to watch our step. The last couple years have been ruthless. A stumble could cost you big time and get you sidelined from the whole race.
How do you clear all the hurdles?
By coaching your people over them!
Find your Anchor
The Anchor is the person that runs the most important part of the relay. In your company, that kind of top talent will carry your team over every finish line for a win.
In 2022, you need to find your Anchors and focus on understanding their strengths, finding out their aspirations, and developing their skills. The best way to do that is through coaching conversations that ultimately lead to an actionable plan that the employee feels empowered to own. Be sure you’re tracking the input you receive from your people, the feedback their managers give them, and what the plan moving forward will be.
Pass the Baton
The best part about really coaching your employees is learning what their ultimate career aspirations are. You’ll have the opportunity to see where that will fit into your organization, meaning first pick of the best talent you already have at your fingertips. Leveraging coaching for your succession planning means you get to teach your up-and-comers the best way to carry that baton.
Control Exchange Zones
Speaking of batons, passing them can be dangerous. Where and how employees move around and through your company can be a tricky time. The wrong person, a lack of resources, sudden exits… so much can go wrong at that critical moment. There’s an easy way to avoid a stumble though.
Through identifying strengths and creating development plans, you can ensure the person picking up the baton is ready to grab it and hit the ground running. Be sure you have regular accountability check ins to ensure everyone is moving in the right direction at the pace you need them to.
Check the Winds
A tailwind may boost your speed, but a headwind will batter your people. When they’re being pushed back, the easiest path or even sitting this one out becomes the go-to for many employees. Don’t let the prevailing winds throw off your strategic initiatives.
Cultivate resilience through two-way communication between managers and their team and a plan forward that employees help create. Ongoing honest conversations and the ability to pivot strategically means that heads or tails, you’ll always be in control. If plans need to change, change them. BUT include everyone in that decision. You don’t want someone follow the wrong path because they didn’t fully understand the plan.
When it comes down to the photo finish, your team will be the clear winners. All it takes is good coaching.
That starts by equipping your company with a well trained Coach2.
Jessica Bowers is head of Marketing & Content for Catalytic Coaching, Inc and has been a certified Coach2 since 2017.
With a background in organizational change and education, she’s helped trained hundreds of employees and Coaches.
Have questions? Jessica can help with that.
