Generally speaking, leaders who can benefit from Leadership coaching could be categorized in two types: 1) Those who don’t have a solid understanding of their vision yet 2) Those who do have a clear understanding of their vision but are struggling, in some way or another, materializing it.
Metaphorically speaking your vision is like your GPS, so setting the coordinates in a direction that is aligned to your values and ambitions without losing touch with reality is key. The more intentional the process of setting your vision, the higher the possibilities that you will end up closer to where you actually want to be. A lack of vision will not only cause a leader to miss opportunities and mismanage resources, but will also frustrate the rest of team as they realize they are following someone who seems hesitant regarding the destination.
We often have a sense of what we would like to accomplish professionally, however it is not uncommon to lack the clarity to understand the specifics of what we want, as well as the reasons why we want it. The impact, strategy and path of a leader who wants money in order to gain status and power, for example, is different from that of a leader who wants to make enough money to be able to acquire specific assets that will allow acompetitive position in a specific industry that is close to that leader’s heart. No judgment in terms of one being better than the other, simply understanding what you want and why you want it will help you develop the most effective path towards embodying that vision.
Leaders who feel that they don’t have a strong and clear vision will benefit from coaching by pausing, connecting with themselves and exploring strengths, ambitions and values in order to expand their understanding of the future they want to create.
Some leaders, however, have a very clear and defined vision but are struggling with the process of making it happen. This could be because there are technical issues that are obstructing the process, it could be that there are personality or character traits that are getting in the way, or it could also be that the leader is going through a difficult time in her or his personal life. Regardless of the obstacle, the coaching experience for this type of leader will look and feel different from that of the previous one discussed.
A coaching engagement for leaders who already understand and feel comfortable with their vision may focus more on maximizing natural strengths, identifying obstacles and intentionally moving with constant calibration and awareness of their process. While there is a misconception that this type of work is less reflective due to its action-oriented nature, introspection and self-awareness will be crucial here as well as you will be discovering, understanding and becoming the type of leader who is willing and able to materialize that specific vision. Remember that while obstacles may appear as external at first, there is usually a component of that obstacle that exists internally and that you may need to explore and understand in order to overcome it.
If you would like to have a 15-minute, free of charge, zoom conversation with Dr. Furth to discuss your specific situation and determine if leadership coaching is right for you, feel free to find a time that works for both of us here.
