Leadership Moments 5/2012: Reflections on COACHING & LEADERSHIP (Part 3 of 3)

Step 3: Talk your walk and walk your talk

I agree that leadership and coaching is not just about changing your mindset and building relationships so that you have the permission to lead and coach. Leadership and coaching is also about knowing the process involved and mastering a set of skills to produce tangible results.

To be an effective leader and coach, we need to have the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities (SKAs).  These SKAs can be learnt and developed over time (if you are intentional about it). As such, I will not elaborate too much here. Besides process and skills, the best way to lead and coach your people is to model the behaviour you wish to see.

“When a leader’s identity and actions are consistent, the results he gets are consistent. When they are inconsistent, then so are the results.” ~ John C. Maxwell

Leading by example is how leaders provide evidence that they are deeply and personally committed to the behaviours they value. Credible leaders practice what they preach. They do what they say they will do, and thus set the example for others to follow. The most important personal quality people look for and admire in a leader is congruence. As I have mentioned in Step 2, if people don’t believe in the messenger, they won’t believe the message. Titles may be granted, but leadership is earned. Exemplary leaders know that it’s their behavior that earns them respect. The real test is whether they do what they say; whether their words and deeds are consistent. Leaders set an example and build commitment through simple, daily acts that create progress and build momentum. This is one of the most effective way of leading and coaching I have experienced from effective leaders I have encountered.

(Note above) This was a farewell note one of my interns gave to me before she went back to her studies. I'm glad she had a fun time with me :) 

As a leader and coach, I will never ask my people to do what I am not prepared to do myself. When I tell them that a particular task is possible, I know that it is possible because I have been there, done that. This is important because it can affect your credibility as a leader. If I expect my people to behave or think in a certain way, I must model it everyday. This is the best form of leading and coaching. If I want my people to pick themselves up when they fall, they must know that I have fallen before and I have picked myself up and moved on. If I want my unit’s work atmosphere to be pleasant and the environment easy to work in (A Great Place to Work, Learn and Grow), I must (as their leader) behave in such a way that will create lots of positive energy and fun. If I want my team to work collaboratively with each other, I must also do so by example! If I want my team to work very hard, I must work twice as hard! If I want my team to grow and become better, I need to keep growing myself daily. People pay more attention to the values and behaviours their leaders actually use than to those the leaders say they believe in. Effective leaders and coaches must set good examples, establish high standards for themselves, and personally practice what they preach.

“The three most important ways to lead people are: by example… by example… by example.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

Before I assume any new leadership post, I will always review my contribution statement and roles (Please see Step 1 for my Contribution and Purpose Statement) to determine the behaviours I want to exhibit. I will do up a table to clarify my thinking on how I want to behave on a daily basis. As a leader, I need to ensure my behaviours are aligned with my values and roles I set for myself. These behaviours will tell people what my values are much more than any words or speeches. This alignment of my behaviours and values must be intentional. Below is an example.

My Roles	My Behaviours	Desired Results/Outcomes
Character Driven Leader	Do right, Be Honest	Credibility, Trust
Builder of relationships	Care for the team, Collaborate with all stakeholders	Sense of community created within the unit
Motivator and Inspiring Leader	Motivate, Encourage, Appreciate	High morale, Positive culture
Coach & Teacher	Listen, none judgemental, believe in people, Seize teachable moments	Growth in team members, Trust and Confidence
“Chief Combat Engineer” * A combat engineer's goals involve facilitating movement and support of friendly forces. Their main role is to clear the path for success. I often call myself the Chief Combat Engineer in my unit. Helping my team to clear the path for their success.	Help team to clear obstacles so that they can do their work, Clear the way, Provide support	Results, Growth in team members, High morale, Sense of achievement

To do this, you need to be very clear of you values, your roles and your key purpose and contribution (Step 1). I do this because I believe that my behaviour as a leader and coach can have a tremendous impact on my unit’s Culture, Values and Trust. These daily actions and behaviours on my part will demonstrate that I am committed to do what I say and say what I do.

(Note above) This was a farewell note one of my staff gave to me before she left for greener pastures. I was rather glad when I read what she wrote. I told myself quietly that some of my intentional behaviours as a leader were observed and appreciated by her and I am on the right track.

Leaders need to lead by example and over time, followers will behave like their leaders. This is true. After working with my current coach for 2 years, I noticed that I am very much influenced by his values, adopt some of his working methods and also emulate some of his quirks and habits. As such, as a leader, we must always make sure we behave in such a way that will help our people to become what they are truly capable of.

Personally, leadership and coaching is a journey for me. I am still learning and making mistakes everyday. As I go through this journey, my goal is to reflect so that I might learn from my successes and mistakes, discover what I should try to repeat, and determine what I should change. To me, writing this blog on subjects I am passionate about is always a valuable exercise for my personal growth. By mentally visiting past situations, it can help me to think with greater understanding and clarity. Few things in life can help me learn and improve the way reflective thinking can.

(Note above) Another farewell note from an intern before she went back to school to complete her final year. She was soaked with my Branch Culture and Atmosphere. Hope she would join us after her graduation.

Besides helping me to become a better leader and coach, I hope my sharing will help you to gain some insights and develop new perspectives on leadership and coaching. Effective leaders and coaches can make a positive impact to the people they lead no matter where they are in the organisation, no matter what title of position they have, no matter what kind of people they work with. I hope you will keep working on improving your leadership and coaching abilities and make a positive impact in the lives of the people you lead.

Jim

Step 1: Change the way you think and your behaviour will change. When you behaviour change, the results you get will change too!

Step 2: People needs to buy into the leader before they buy into their message or leadership

Step 3: Talk your walk and walk your talk


“The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the positions or opinions of any organisation or individuals.”