As part of the team that ensures leaders are effective, productive, and happy our goals are exactly the same.
So how can we work together?
Let’s start with what I do. As a coach, I play three roles with your boss.
Sounding board. Job one for me is to listen deeply, ask good questions, and hold up a mirror to help your boss gain insights and do her best thinking.
Advisor. Having coached over 500 leaders, I’ll offer your boss an extensive toolkit of time-tested leadership techniques and strategies.
Trainer. If your manager is working on becoming a better communicator, I’ll conduct practice sessions, give her feedback, then practice again. I may also observe her in meetings and provide feedback afterwards.
Now–and most important–what can YOU do? Here’s how you can increase the impact of coaching:
Scheduling. Put a high priority on coaching sessions. Minimize rescheduling or cancellations. Executives have a hard time prioritizing themselves; you can help make sure they do.
Protecting. Coaching sessions take about an hour and confidential information is often discussed. Arranging a time and place that affords no interruptions and ensures privacy is necessary.
Being Proactive. Keep me in the loop. Is your manager totally overloaded because of the annual performance and planning cycle or distracted by an upcoming presentation or offsite? Tell me, I can help.
Giving positive feedback. Did your manager get better at something? Tell him! Positive reinforcement helps solidify behavior changes.
I see the value of a strong partnership every day–I couldn’t do my job without my EA. And the more I coach, the more I see that my client’s assistant is crucial to the success of coaching. I couldn’t do my work without you! Working together we can facilitate the best outcomes for your boss.